Glasgow Pride: A statement from Patrick Harvie MSP
Following the announcement by Glasgow’s Pride that all political parties and related groups are currently suspended from attending the event, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie MSP issued a response.
The Glasgow event organisers are taking the same action as many of their counterparts across England, who earlier this week suspended political parties from participating in Pride events this year.
Event organisers say this has stemmed from a lack of action and delay of comment from politicians following the UK Supreme Court decision, with organisers concerned about the impact on LGBTQIA+ community members.
Any elected officials who wish to attend must do so as individuals on behalf of local communities, not on behalf of the party they represent.
Green MSP for Glasgow, Mr Harvie said:
“As both a politician and someone who has been out since before my first election and has never shied away from standing up to prejudice, I feel ashamed of how politics in this country is letting down my own community.
“I am of course disappointed at this decision, but the betrayal of our human rights by most political parties is the cause of this horrendous situation, and I fully respect the right of Pride organisers to make this decision.
“Greens have stood solid against the current wave of prejudice, and will continue to do so. But it is now abundantly clear that the community has lost trust in political parties more broadly, and I urge those in leadership positions across the spectrum, and members of all parties who do support LGBTQ+ people's human rights, to put their house in order.
“Even at the lowest point of the political weaponization of homophobia in the 80s and 90s, Pride events never felt the need to take this step. But even in those worst of times, the Government wasn't actually imposing segregation of public spaces as is happening now to trans people. The culture war against us needs to end.”