REPRESENTATIVES of the emergency services have displayed specially-designed vehicle liveries to mark International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.

Since 2005, May 17 has been a day marked by 120 countries to raise awareness and shine a light on the stigmatisation and violence still faced by many LGBTQ people in the UK and around the world.

To mark the day, officers from the North Yorkshire Police LGBT support network, along with North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and Yorkshire Ambulance Service held a public engagement event in Parliament Street, York, and showing off the newly 'wrapped' fire engine which will take part in York Pride on Saturday, June 9.

Stuart Simpson, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Group Manager for York, said the decision to include an LGBTQ design on the engine showed "commitment to being an inclusive organisation".

He said: "I would like to say special thanks to the design students from York St John University who worked hard to produce a range of designs for us to pick from.

"It’s great that the Service is taking part in this year’s Pride events and I firmly believe we can have a positive impact ensuring people feel comfortable and safe enough to be themselves whether that’s members of our staff or members of our community."

Sergeant Sandy Scott from the North Yorkshire Police LGBT support group said: "Most LGBTQ people within the UK will have experienced some kind of exclusion, targeted aggression or physical violence at some point, just for being who they are.

"International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia is a great opportunity to highlight some of these issues and provide a forum for members of the public to come and speak to us about hate crime, ways to report, victim support and what you can expect from us."

Alistair Gunn, from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said: "This is a time to really show that our public services are really supportive of LGBT people in the community.

"This is the first time for YAS that we've coordinated a response with Fire and Police colleagues so it's really exciting."