For the better’
“We can bring people together and love one another and spread that message that Jesus taught us to love each other and our neighbours.”
He said as soon as the group asked for help, he was keen to get involved.
Rev Scott Burton with Claire Mackenzie and Craig Halley, co-chairs of Perthshire Pride I messaged them to see if there was anything I could do – it was a big step to be invited to give the opening speech.”
Rev Burton said he hoped the community could find solace in the church, and said they stand with anyone who has been “damned or denounced” because of their sexuality.
He said: “I will be taking the opportunity to apologise to members of the LGBT community if they have felt hurt, insulted and ostracised from the Church of Scotland.
“Forgive us for all the pain we have caused you and which we continue to inflict on you.
“I want them to know that my congregation and leadership team at St Matthew’s stand with every person here who has been ostracised and criticised by the church for simply being who they are.
“We stand in solidarity with every person here who has been damned and denounced spiritually, psychologically, emotionally and physically by those who try to make out LGBT people are somehow second class.
“They are not second class and I, and a growing number of people within the church, believe that they are the people that God has created them to be.
“Love changes the world for the better.”
Because the weekend’s event was so successful, co-chair of Perthshire Pride Claire Mackenzie says next year’s Pride is already in the diary.
She said: “We have had 700 people through the gates so a lot more than we were expecting, I thought only 200 would show up.
“It was even busy before it was officially open.
“I am so much more excited for the LGBT community rather than stressed – it has all gone so well and there have been no issues. Everyone is having a good time.
“It just shows Perth is a friendly place and there is space for others that are not perceived as the norm.
“The LGBT community will be more visible, that is what we want.
“We already have plans for next year - we will be back on August 10 2019 in the concert hall, but we will have social events throughout the year.
“Hopefully we will also get more funding to make it even bigger.”