The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Festival turnout does town proud
Celebration: Organiser hails backing from town
Despite feeling “nervous and excited” Lorn’s first Oban Pride March was a huge success for organisers.
The event on Saturday was followed by thousands online and saw more than 350 people walk from Station Square to Sutherland Terrace before enjoying a weekend-long celebration.
Gary Hamilton, one of the organisers behind the event, said he was overwhelmed with the support he had received from people in the town.
He said: “It has been an absolute privilege to be able to organise this event.
“We wanted to do it to celebrate the many differences that we have in the community – not only for people in Scotland, but for people across the planet where they might not have the same rights that we have.
“The purpose of Oban Pride is to promote equality and diversity throughout Oban and surrounding areas, through providing safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies to come together to celebrate and promote equal rights throughout Scotland and across the world, while reflecting on our history.
“As well as reflecting on the past and celebrating, at Oban Pride we wanted to highlight the ongoing fight against stigma and inequality.
“We are so happy that everyone joined us for our inaugural Pride here in Oban and we hope everyone had a fabulous time here in our town.”
Phill Dexter, Oban Pride’s chairman, added: “Oban Pride is a volunteer organisation completely led by volunteers from the community of Oban and surroundings areas.
“In 2019 we remember all those that have fought for our rights throughout the years especially those who were involved in the Stonewall riots in 1969.
“This year is the 50th anniversary of Stonewall and see’s events throughout the world celebrating this.
“We also think of those who live in countries where their rights are not equal – we think especially of our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters in Brunei after the devastating news that came out last month.”
Oban Pride was started by a group put together by charity Waverley Care.