Glasgow Pride bans political parties from taking part

The organisers of Glasgow’s Pride have banned all political parties from taking part in celebrations this year.

The immediate suspension means that no political party will be allowed to register for a space within the Pride March or host stalls at the events in Glasgow.

Political parties have also been banned from making speeches before or after the march or at events.

“If you choose to attend Glasgow’s Pride, you are expected to do this as an individual, elected representative of your local community,” Glasgow’s Pride said, “Not on behalf of whichever party you represent.”

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It comes after what organisers see as the “lack of action and delay of comment” from political parties following the UK Supreme Court decision last month, which ruled that the legal definition of a woman refers to ‘biological women and sex’ in the Equality Act 2010.

The ruling has seen the Scottish Government and other public bodies U-turn on previous positions, banning trans people from using toilets and facilities that align with their chosen gender.

The new rules have been based on interim advice from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) whish said that in places such as hospitals, shops, and restaurants, “trans women (biological men) should not be permitted to use the women’s facilities”.

Glasgow’s Pride believes these changes impact a “vulnerable section” of the LGBTQUIA+ community.

“The lack of action and delay of comment from parties following the UK Supreme Court decision, which strongly impacts a vulnerable section of our community is just not right,” organisers said.

Glasgow’s Pride said the ruling and subsequent changes have resulted in “mass confusion about if someone can use essential services”.

“Pride exists as a movement for LGBTQUIA+ rights – not as a platform for political visibility, point-scoring or clout. These rights should be universal regardless of sex, gender or sexual orientation, and elected representatives hold the power to effect change,” a statement from Glasgow’s Pride said.

Organisers said that community members, elected representatives, or decision makers who demonstrate “true support” are welcome to join Glasgow’s Pride as individuals “to amplify our collective voice in the fight for LGBTQUIA+ rights”.

“We want to be completely clear, no individual supporter of LGBTQUIA+ rights is being blocked, barred or excluded from Pride. We are a community, we come together to amplify our voice. No one will be silenced,” organisers said.

Although organisers said they are “deeply disappointed” they have had to make the decision to ban political parties from Pride, they hope it will spur those in power “to make the required changes”.

The announcement echoes the decisions of many other Pride groups across England, who earlier this week suspended political parties from participating in Pride events this year.

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 said he feels “ashamed of how politics in this country is letting down” his 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,” Harvie said.

He said the Greens have “stood solid against the current wave of prejudice, and will continue to do so”.