Dame Sally Davies to raise rainbow flag

Dame Sally Davies, Master of Trinity, will raise the rainbow flag outside Great Gate on Saturday 1 February at 10am after a breakfast in the Master’s Lodge, to which all members of College have been invited, to celebrate the start of LGBT+ History Month.

The flag will be flown beside Great Gate on Trinity Street (daylight hours) until the end of the month.

Alex Atkin, LGBT+ Officer of Trinity College Students Union, said:

I’m really happy that Trinity has come so far so quickly and will be raising the flag for the whole month, and I welcome the Master taking part by raising the flag herself. As a gay man proud of my College, it is wonderful to feel the College is proud of me too. I am also very much looking forward to the various events happening in Trinity as part of LGBT+ History Month.

Since the first appearance of the rainbow flag in San Francisco in 1978, it has symbolised the diversity of the LGBT+ community and the pride felt by its members. LGBT+ History Month promotes equality and diversity by celebrating the achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, as well as raising awareness of matters affecting the community.

Alex Chamolly, LGBT+ Officer of the BA Society, said:

Trinity’s core academic strength lies in the fostering of an environment that embraces free thought, creativity and individuality, and this requires that every one of its members feels welcome, safe, and accepted. For this reason I am thrilled by the commitment that the College and the Master have shown in supporting the LGBT+ community here.

Booking for the Trinity LGBT+ Formal Hall on 25 February opens 1 February. Trinity members can email: lgbt@tcsu.net to reserve a place.

Meanwhile the rainbow flowerbed on Trinity’s Brewhouse Lawn overlooking the Cam looks promising. Initiated in 2019, Trinity’s gardeners have planted nearly 11,000 bulbs in coloured rows, plus a line of verdant grasses.

Head Gardener, Tom Hooijenga, said: ‘The bulbs planted to represent the flag are already quite active, and we are hoping for a good show. It’s an interesting project due to the challenge of getting the right height and colours of plants – not to mention them blooming at the same time! It’s a challenge the gardening team have relished.’

Trinity’s LGBTQ+ Liaison Fellow, Dr Anna-Maria Hartmann, said:

I am excited about this year’s History Month – it’s my first as the College’s new LGBTQ+ Liaison Fellow- and the events with which Trinity celebrates its vibrant and diverse community of students, staff, and Fellows. I am particularly looking forward to one or more slices of rainbow cake – made by Trinity’s pastry chefs – that will be on sale in the College Cafe Bar throughout February.