Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. February 2018 is LGBT History Month. This important annual event gives us a chance to reflect on LGBT+ history, noting how far we have come in terms of promoting equal rights and diversity, but also the challenges and barriers we still have to overcome.

The year 2018 marks the hundredth anniversary of the Representation of the People Act 1918, so it's perhaps no surprise that LGBT History Month this year explores the role that lesbians and bisexual women played in the votes-for-women campaign. Other important anniversaries include it being 40 years since Harvey Milk was murdered. It is also 30 years since the Conservative Government legislated for homophobia in the shape of section 28. Both latter commemorations adequately capture this year's theme, geography—mapping the world. This offers the chance to celebrate the global advance towards equal marriage, but also the opportunity to reflect on the persecution LGBT people face around the world and the role we must all play in changing this.

Community events are also important, highlighting this message at a grass-roots level. I was very pleased on Saturday to speak at the first ever LGBT+ history event to be held in Aberdare at the Cynon Valley Museum organised by a local group, Project Unity. I note the rainbow flag also marks its fortieth birthday this year. So, let's each of us fly the flag for equality and LGBT+ rights in 2018 and beyond.