Diversity in and around Norwich and Norfolk is to be celebrated in the course of the next month.

Around 200 people attended the official launch of this year's LGBT history month at a reception at Norwich City Hall tonight.

The launch featured speeches by gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, and former Lambeth Council leader and diversity campaigner Linda Bellos, while there was also a prize auction and music and comedy performances.

Now in its third year, the month long event will include a series of lectures at the University of East Anglia, quiz nights, film screenings, music events and a church service.

Hilary Koe, co-chairman of the Norfolk LGBT History Month committee, said the city had seen a positive change in attitudes towards people of diverse backgrounds and sexuality and the month-long event was aimed at celebrating that, but also highlighting how much the community was a part of mainstream society and history.

'What we are trying to do is make our history visible, but also to make people understand that gay people are part of everyone's history,' she said. 'If we don't say to people we are here, come and find out about us, we can't really expect people to understand us.

'We have come a long way but there's still a long way to go,' she added.

To find out more about the events taking place log on to www.lgbthm.org.uk or ring 07934 850545