Newly installed city leader Jason Kitcat spoke at an anti-homophobia vigil just hours after being inducted.
Councillor Kitcat became leader of Brighton and Hove City Council at a ceremony in Hove Town Hall on Thursday.
His first engagement was speaking at a community event in Old Steine, Brighton, to mark the 2012 International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.
He said: “While there is still much work to do we, as a city, lead the way culturally and socially in the advancement of the rights of LGBT people in the UK.
“I believe we have great opportunities with a Green-led council to take this reputation even further and to show the world what can be done to tackle homophobia and transphobia however it appears, whether as hate crime, cultural prejudice or legal discrimination.”
The event included a performance by the Rainbow Chorus.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here