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Glasgow’s Pride has raised concerns around plans for pro-Palestine protests at Saturday’s parade.<\/p>\n
It said it was “firmly against” conflict of any kind, but the purpose of Pride was to “stand-up for the human rights and inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community”.<\/p>\n
The Glasgow Greens said there was “no conflict between standing for a free Palestine and celebrating our queer identities”.<\/p>\n
Thousands are expected to join in the colourful march after last year’s event reportedly saw a record 50,000 people marched through the city to celebrate LGBTQ+ people.<\/p>\n
The parade will leave Festival Park at midday and finish at Glasgow Green.<\/p>\n
The nearby Barrowland Ballroom will host the main stage for the free Pride Hub and Barras Art & Design (BAAD) will run the community stage.<\/p>\n
The line-up includes performances from Whigfield, Jedward, Lucy Spraggan and Girls Aloud cover band Girls R Loud.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Barras Market will be transformed into a Pride Market with more than 130 retailers and food vendors.<\/p>\n
The city council recently unveiled a new mural of the LGBTQ+ flag on Wilson Street in the Merchant City ahead of the weekend’s celebrations.<\/p>\n
The Glasgow Greens and Rainbow Greens have decided not to march in the parade’s “Green Bloc” and will instead walk in a “\u2018No Pride in Genocide: Radical Bloc”.<\/p>\n
They said this was due to “reports of Glasgow\u2019s Pride Ltd\u2019s corporate sponsors” and their potential links to Israel, as well as sponsors who are “accelerating the climate crisis”.<\/p>\n
No Pride in Genocide has urged members of the LGBTQ+ community to write to Glasgow’s Pride and “express support for a transparent and democratic approach to finances”.<\/p>\n
Glasgow Greens committee member Ellie Gomersall said: \u201cPride is first and foremost a protest and that must always be remembered even as we rightly celebrate how far our community has come in our fight for liberation.<\/p>\n
“As we continue that fight for our human rights we must stand in solidarity with all those across the world who are fighting for theirs.<\/p>\n
“There is no conflict between standing for a free Palestine and celebrating our queer identities \u2013 for Glasgow\u2019s Pride Ltd to imply this is disappointing and offensive.”<\/p>\n
She said the Scottish Greens would always fight for LGBTQ+ people but it would “not stop us from standing with Palestine or fighting the climate crisis”.<\/p>\n
Ms Gomersall added: “Pride should be about liberation for all, not a celebration of corporations putting a rainbow in their logo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Glasgow’s Pride said it firmly stood against any and all forms of conflict, “especially in cases of extreme violence towards a minority”.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson said: “While it’s vital that we stand against these issues, Pride has it’s own clear purpose – it’s not party – it is the day we stand up for the human rights and inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community.<\/p>\n
“We welcome everyone to march with us in the name of inclusion over division, and love over hate.”<\/p>\n
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