Remembering Sam Green

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey MP today unveiled a plaque remembering Sam Green.

The blue plaque arranged by the City of Durham Parish Council recognises Sam's election in 1972 as the first openly gay councillor in the UK.

He was a Liberal Party councillor for Crossgate ward of the then Durham City Council, and the plaque at 40 The Avenue is where he lived while he was a councillor.

He was 31 when elected, and remained on the city council until 1979.

Ed Davey said, “Sam Green broke barriers at a time when being openly gay in politics was almost unheard of.”

Ed was joined by the Chair of Durham Pride at the unveiling. 

The plaque reads:

City of Durham Parish Council

Sam Green

Durham City Councillor 1972 - 1979

Lived at 40 The Avenue

A true trailblazer, Sam was the first openly gay councillor elected in Britain.

Sam actively represented Crossgate Ward alongside championing diversity in public life.