Nicola Sturgeon joins thousands for Glasgow Pride

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, supporting the TIE (Time for Inclusive Education) Campaign, takes part in Pride Glasgow. PIC: Jane Barlow/PA Wire | Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon joined thousands of people on a march through Glasgow to celebrate Pride in Scotland’s largest city.

The Glasgow Pride event marks its 25th organised march.

The first march was organised in June 1996 as a protest for LGBTQ+ rights.

Ms Sturgeon marched with the campaign group Time for Inclusive Education, which delivers Scotland’s LGBT Inclusive Education programme

Starting at Glasgow Green, the parade marched along the Clyde into the city, with thousands of people dancing to music along the route before finishing back at Glasgow Green.

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The march included multiple corporate supporters including train company Lumo, Irn-Bru maker AG Barr and Scottish Water.

Multiple events are planned throughout the day, with Liberty X and Ultrabeat headlining the event.

Other acts include Honey G, Kelly Wilde and Just The Brave and a Chappell Roan tribute act.

However, the organisation faced criticism after partnering with Coca-Cola, as the Scottish Greens called for the company to be boycotted due to the conflict in the Middle East.

Scottish Green MSP for Glasgow Southside Holly Bruce said: “Pride began as a protest against oppression, not as a corporate branding opportunity.

“It must remain rooted in liberation and solidarity, and those values cannot stop at the edge of our own community.

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“With Palestinians enduring genocide, occupation and unimaginable suffering, promoting a company that is subject to a Palestine-led boycott like Coca-Cola is indefensible.

“Glasgow’s Pride should drop Coca-Cola, adopt transparent BDS-aligned sponsorship rules and sign the Fossil Free Pride pledge.

“I recognise how hard it is to fund and organise a major event, but who pays for Pride matters.

“The Scottish Greens are clear, Glasgow deserves a joyful and inclusive Pride that lives its values, and there can be no pride in genocide.”

A counter-protest was set up on Glasgow Green by No Pride in Genocide.

No Pride in Genocide said: “We as No Pride in Genocide Glasgow thank the Glasgow Green MSPs for their support of our campaign against pinkwashing.”