Glasgow Pride: celebrating the LGBTQ+ community
Glasgow is recognised as one of the safest cities in the world to celebrate this pride month.
As June draws near, Glasgow will see the return of its ‘big gay celebrations’ as one of the safest LGBTQ+ cities in the world welcomes the most colourful month of the year.
To many, this may come as a surprise, as Glasgow is known for being somewhat rough around the edges, however the LGBTQ+ community in the city is one of the largest and most celebrated in Scotland.
The history of Pride in Glasgow, and on a global scale, is intertwined with the struggle for rights and the pursuit of equality: from the Stone Wall Riots that started it all back in 1969, to the present-day flamboyant parades, the journey has been one of resilience, activism, and finally in recent years, progress.
Glasgow Pride has evolved from humble beginnings into a remarkable platform for empowerment and visibility, standing as a testament to the collective spirit of the community and the unwavering commitment to creating a more inclusive society.
For many members of the LGBTQ+ community, such as Molly Cascarina, Pride means more than the colourful celebrations and rainbow decorations.
“It’s the community that everyone builds around pride, not just the events, and if we didn’t have that, then there would be a lot of people in the closet.
“Pride is just a part of who we are. It’s something that I think separates us from heterosexual people, non queer people, because it’s something that we have that we get to be proud of, we have pride, we have something separate.”
Although Pride is a time for celebration and love, discrimination and homophobia is a worry that queer people all across the world face every day.
Hate crimes against the transgender community increased by over 80% last year in Scotland, and was the highest ever in the Country.
Despite this, for many, Glasgow offers a sense of security that other cities can’t.
“I don’t think I’ve experienced anything negative whilst being in Glasgow, but when I lived in London, I did and when I lived in Cornwall I did. It’s quite an accepting city, I’ve always felt very, very safe,” Molly said.
Activist and member of the LGBTQ+ community Patrick Prochacki has also lived and celebrated in different cities across the UK and believe Glasgow to be one of the most accepting.
“I have felt more sure to express myself in Glasgow than anywhere else that I’ve lived, I’ve never seen so many people being ‘visibly’ queer around me.
“It’s absolutely amazing and I think that it’s something that’s so widespread here that sometimes people who’ve lived here a long-time might not realise how different it is.”
The people of Glasgow play an integral role in creating a safe environment for Pride Month celebrations. The city has a reputation for its open-mindedness and acceptance, with an increasing number of residents embracing diversity and celebrating LGBTQ+ rights.
This public support translates into a strong sense of community, where individuals feel empowered to be their authentic selves without fear of discrimination or prejudice.
It can easily be overlooked by those not involved in the LGBTQ+ community, but the impact of these events can change lives.
For Pat, this pivotal moment occurred at the first pride parade that they attended.
“I had recently started dating my partner and before that happened, I wasn’t even sure if I was Bi, let alone part of the LGBT community.
“It was a learning experience where I got to meet lots of really cool people and see how I could express myself in the future, it really helped turn me into the person I am today its one of my fondest memories of life in general really.”
The official Glasgow Pride Parade is taking place on Saturday the 15th of June, and is expected to impress after last year’s Mardi Gla officially became the largest pride mark in Scottish History.
The streets will be adorned with rainbow flags, glittering outfits, and powerful banners, as thousands of participants march together in unity.
The parade serves as a powerful reminder of the progress made and the work that lies ahead. It serves to honor the trailblazers who fought for LGBTQ+ rights while also empowering the next generation to continue the journey towards equality.
The flamboyance, glitz and glam however, may not be for everyone, and Molly expressed the importance of celebrating only how you feel comfortable.
“Just because you don’t want to protest or anything like that doesn’t mean that you don’t agree with why people are protesting, and it doesn’t make you any less prideful.
“I would say just genuinely do what you feel comfortable doing. We are lucky that we are in a place like Glasgow. As I said, I’ve never experienced anything bad. You’re always going to at different points because that’s life.
“I would say just be sure of yourself. Know that you are there is nothing wrong with you. There is nothing wrong with the way you are or the way that you love.”
