Rainbow nation: Soldiers march for first time at gay Pride festival
THOUSANDS paraded through the streets of Glasgow yesterday to launch Scotland’s biggest Pride festival.
The annual event, which celebrates lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) culture, brought a carnival of glitter and rainbow colours to the city.
The two-day Pride Glasgow festival features Nineties Irish girl band B*Witched, X Factor singer Saara Aalto and former N-Trance frontwoman Kelly Llorenna. There is also a dog show and fairground.
Members of the Armed Forces took part in the march for the first time in Scotland, while First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also made history by becoming the first head of government to address a Pride rally in the UK. She spoke from the main stage at Glasgow Green and was greeted with a roar of applause as she exclaimed: ‘Love is love!’
Ms Sturgeon added: ‘It is such a privilege to stand here at Glasgow Pride and see this sea of colour, unity, happiness and love.
‘Earlier this week in Charlottesville and Barcelona, we have again seen the consequence of hate and division, so let’s send a loud message from Glasgow to all of those who would seek to divide us: “You will not win, because we are going to live our lives by the principles of tolerance, respect, solidarity and love. Because love is love.”
‘I am proud Scotland is now considered one of the most progressive countries in Europe for LGBTI equality and I am honoured to be the first head of government anywhere in the UK who has addressed a Pride event.’