Volunteers wanted to help keep Pride an event to be proud of

SUCCESS: Organisers hope it can become an annual celebration

Fife’s first Pride event has been declared a success – and an appeal has gone out to help make it an annual extravaganza.

Around 3,500 people enjoyed a march and festival in Kirkcaldy town centre on July 1, boosting the local economy by an estimated £150,000.

Fife Council has pledged funding for future years and organisers are urging more people to get involved to ensure Pride 2018 is even better.

A series of public meetings has been arranged, during which people can register an interest in forming a board which will lead arrangements for the event next year.

The first Pride was led by Kirkcaldybased Pink Saltire, a national LGBT news and information charity, plus staff from Fife Centre for Equalities.

They were supported by a team of local activists and supporters from Fife Council, Fife Cultural Trust and Kirkcaldy4All.

Pink Saltire founder Stuart Duffy said it would not have been possible without a team of volunteers.

“We know there are lots of people who support Pride but it takes commitment and time to make things happen, so we need folk to come and get involved,” he said.

“I’m encouraging anyone with some fundraising, administration, event management or marketing skills to come along to one of the meetings and speak to us – you’ll be part of something amazing.”

Pat Greenhough, engagement officer at Fife Centre for Equalities, added: “We are so proud of the achievement made collectively to bring Pride to Fife and to receive such a phenomenal response from the wider public.

“It is uplifting to experience a new momentum in addressing the barriers experienced by LGBTI+ communities.”

A survey of 440 people who attended Pride showed 83% of respondents said they loved the event and for nearly half of them it was their first experience of the event.

Four main Pride events are held in Scotland held each year in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Livingston and Fife, although events are planned for Dundee and Perthshire, as well as Aberdeen, Forth Valley and Dumfries and Galloway for next year.

The meetings for Pride 2018 will take place on September 12 at Tiffany’s Cafe, Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline; September 13 at Cupar Library; September 14 at Rothes Halls, Glenrothes, and September 20 at Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy.

All the meetings start at 6.30pm except at Cupar Library, which starts at 6pm.

It takes commitment and time to make things happen, so we need folk to come and get involved

Picture: George McLuskie. The first Fife Pride event in Kirkcaldy earlier this summer brought a smile to the faces of both participants and local traders.