The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
‘We’re here, we’re queer and we’re not going anywhere’
First-ever parade of its kind in Fife declared a success by organisers
Hundreds turned out in Kirkcaldy at the weekend for the kingdom’s first Pride event which began with a march and ended with music, food and live entertainment in a marquee.
Hundreds of people contributed to a loud and colourful party atmosphere as Fife played host to its first ever Pride event on Saturday.
A parade through Kirkcaldy High Street marked the start of a vibrant display by the LGBT community, ending at a packed marquee in the Town Square where a mixture of music, food and live entertainment was served up.
And it looks as if the spectacle will become an annual fixture on the calendar, with Fife Council co-leader David Ross underlining the new administration’s pledge to support the event in years to come.
A group of protesters on Kirkcaldy High Street tried to dampen proceedings but the throngs of people in the parade – many bedecked in rainbow colours – marched on regardless.
Special guest performers taking to the stage included Kym Mazelle, Tina Cousins and former X Factor contestant Lloyd Daniels, while the event was also co-hosted by flamboyant Dunfermline drag queen Nancy Clench.
Organiser Stuart Duffy told the crowd: “It’s a massive achievement to put this Pride on in about nine months. It’s taken a lot of work.
“There’s lots of homophobia still out there. We’ve seen homophobia online and we saw some protesters down the street there, who we gave a big loud scream to when we passed them.
“We know that people don’t always agree with LGBT people and how we live our lives. But we don’t agree with them and the attitudes they have.
“We just want to celebrate diversity, celebrate who we are and celebrate equality here in Fife.”
He said the whole Pride movement started as a protest and should continue that way.
“We should call out worldwide homophobia wherever it is,” Mr Duffy said. “These types of events help get that message across, that LGBT lives are perfectly normal.
“It’s not enough to come out for one day and be open and be proud – we need you to live that every single day of your lives. Stand up and be proud – that’s what our message has been about.
“This first Pride today demonstrates that times are changing.
“Let this be the moment that LGBT people stood up in Fife and said ‘We’re here, we’re queer and we’re not going anywhere’.”
Council co-leader Mr Ross said it was a particularly proud moment, as a Kirkcaldy councillor, to see the Lang Toun host the event.
“It’s a wee bit difficult in places that have a strong industrial past or rural areas like Fife, where attitudes are a bit slow to change but I think this event and the work that’s gone on in the lead-up to this is a start to the process and might hurry it along.
“In my lifetime I can remember a time when if you were gay, actively gay, you would face criminal prosecution and that’s almost unthinkable today.
“We’ve seen today even and we see all the time, that there is still prejudice, bigotry, discrimination out there.
“So this is one step along the road and it’s an important step. We need to keep up that struggle.”