Glasgow Pride Festival breaks records

Jul 18 2012 By Emma Smith

MORE than 6000 people took to the streets of the city for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Pride Festival last weekend.

Attendance records were shattered at Scotland’s biggest LGBT event.

Pride Glasgow kicked off last  Saturday at noon with a parade from Kelvingrove Park to George Square. X Factor winner Joe McElderry and Lloyd Daniels performed on  stage, as did Glasgow’s new
boy band Supanova and the Cheeky Girls.

The celebration continued into the early hours with more  partying at nightclub AXM.

Pride Glasgow director Ross Stevenson said: “I am so glad the parade and festivities were such a success and happened without any major problems.

We estimate that a record  number of around 6000 people participated.”

Haydn Pope from AXM added: “We’ve opened the Glasgow club in April and what a fabulous city, and one great street party.

“We stepped in as a sponsor, and it’s really important to me that we are part of the community and we’re giving back. Everyone is here having a great time partying, but also here demanding  equal rights.”

At the festival, James Dornan, SNP MSP, spoke out against homophobia.

He said: “No one should be in that  position, and that is why we are here calling for equality.

“I know Scotland is up for it, I know you are and so I am.”

Drew Smith, Labour MSP, added: “Pride is not just a party, it’s a demonstration. We’ve made progress through the years, and the next has to be equal marriage.

“This is not a debate about ‘gay rights’. It’s a debate about equal rights.”

Scottish Green party co-convener Patrick Harvie MSP also called on the Scottish Government to make the move towards equality.