This recent cross-party weekend organised by the Local Government Association brought together councillors from the Liberal Democrats, Labour and Conservative groups from across the country. While it was encouraging to see such a broad geographic spread, it was disappointing that no other parties were represented and that the South of England was noticeably under-represented. Even so, the diversity of experience in the room made for a rich and thoughtful programme.

The theme of the weekend was Leading with Pride — and how that sits alongside both your role as a councillor and your identity as a member of the LGBT+ community. For many of us, this is not an abstract question. It goes to the heart of how we show up in public life, how visible we choose or can be, and how our lived experience shapes the way we represent our communities.

The weekend gave participants a valuable opportunity to speak openly about what it is like to be LGBT in local government, and how that experience intersects with the expectations, pressures and responsibilities of elected office. These conversations were honest, supportive and, at times, challenging — but always constructive.

Friday evening set the tone with informal discussions and the chance to reconnect or meet for the first time. Some attendees had been to the previous LGBT weekends, but it was particularly positive to see new councillors joining the group and bringing fresh perspectives and experiences into the conversation.

Saturday was devoted to more structured discussions and learning. A highlight was a talk from a councillor about the work she is doing both nationally and in her own community, demonstrating how visibility, advocacy and practical action can combine to make a real difference. The sessions throughout the day showed just how varied the challenges are in different parts of the country — but also how much we can learn from one another. Whether people were attending for the first time or returning, everyone seemed to take something useful away, not least the reassurance that many of the issues we face are shared.

On Sunday, the focus shifted to personal skills, with training from an experienced actor on effective speaking, presentation and body language. This was a reminder that communication is not just about what we say, but how we say it — and that confidence, presence and clarity all matter when representing our communities and advocating for change. One thing that most of us learned from this was the importance of “Less is more”. Long speeches at council meetings lose audiences and you don’t have to repeat what others have said.

Perhaps the most important lesson from the weekend was that, despite our different political traditions, party politics does not have to be a barrier to working together. The shared commitment to equality and to challenging the suppression of LGBT rights provided a strong common purpose. In a time when those rights can feel increasingly under pressure, that sense of solidarity across parties is not just welcome — it is essential.

For those of us who attended, the weekend was not only a chance to reflect and learn, but also to return to our councils better equipped, more confident, and more connected to a wider network of colleagues who share both the challenges and the determination to make local government more inclusive.
Normally held the first weekend in February to coincide with LGBT History month, I would encourage any LGBT+ councillors to attend this weekend if they are able to.

* Christine Whelan is County Councillor for Ely South, one of three District Councillors for Ely West and an Ely City Councillor.