Brighton and Hove, renowned as the 'gay capital' of England, should introduce pink heritage plaques to celebrate the contribution to the city from members of its large lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, says Green Party councillor Bill Randall, Green culture and tourism spokesperson on Brighton and Hove City Council.

"We welcome the city council's decision to revive the tradition of erecting blue plaques to commemorate significant people, buildings or events associated with the city. However, we believe the scheme should be widened to include pink plaques to commemorate the special LGBT contribution that makes Brighton and Hove unique among cities in England."

Recommendations for pink plaques should come from the city's LGBT community, who should be invited to nominate a representative to join the newly formed commemorative plaque panel, said Cllr Randall, who made his proposal at the beginning of the annual UK LGBT History Month which runs through February.

"A look at the excellent local LGBT history website: 'BRIGHTON - OURSTORY'
www.brightonourstory.co.uk/index2.htm suggests that Dusty Springfield, Count Eric Stenbock, Tony Stuart and Eric Thompson could be among those remembered.

"When enough plaques have been put up they should be linked together in a gay and lesbian heritage trail," he added. "We shall put our proposal to the council at the earliest opportunity. Accepting our proposal would be a splendid way of marking LGBT History Month."

Courtesy of the LGBT Greens