Driving through one of the two shopping streets in the small market town in Surrey where I live, I was surprised last week to see that one of the shops had sprouted three rainbow flags. That’s a deep blue corner of rural Surrey, home to a disproportionate number of comfortably retired folk and city professionals, represented at all levels of government almost exclusively by Tory establishment - so not where one would expect to find queer activism. Nevertheless, there they were - three large rainbow flags, prominently and proudly waving above the Silk Road. interior design Investigating, I found this was specifically to promote an IDAHO event, a reception and video screening), last Friday evening - the day before the main IDAHO events worldwide. Both shop windows were devoted to the theme. From their facebook page, here’s one of them:

Sadly, I didn’t spot this until too late to attend the event, but I know it was well supported, with both gay people and local straight allies attending.

My congratulations and thanks to the Silk Road, for their effort to shake up this little corner of Surrey.