Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to lead Pride parade instead of meeting Trump
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Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, will be leading Glasgow’s Pride parade on Saturday – instead of meeting US President Donald Trump during his Scotland visit.
The First Minster will be leading Glasgow’s parade alongside 200 LGBT people from across Scotland, after being given the honorary title of ‘Grand Marshal.’
Last year, Sturgeon became Scotland’s serving First Minister to address a Pride parade.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I’m proud that Scotland is considered to be one of the most progressive countries in Europe regarding LGBTI equality and Pride Glasgow is a fantastic event that brings communities together and celebrates all that LGBTI people bring to Scottish life.
As a society we must champion equality and fairness at all times and defend the progress that has been made.”
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Pride Glasgow, which is organising the parade, praised Sturgeon’s record on leading same-sex marriage in Scotland, and said that she wants to ensure trans equality by reforming the ‘outdated’ Gender Recognition Act.
Alastair Smith, the group’s chief executive, said: “We’re delighted to name First Minister Nicola Sturgeon the first honorary Grand Marshal of Pride Glasgow in recognition of her longstanding support of LGBTI equality.
We can’t wait to welcome her, and tens of thousands of others to the Glasgow Pride celebrations this weekend.”
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Sturgeon’s attendance at the parade means she will be snubbing Donald Trump who is expected to visit Scotland this weekend. She has been a stern critic of Trump’s, who is reported to severely dislike her.
The march is the largest Pride event in Scotland, with eight thousand people expected to march through the streets of Glasgow on Saturday.
A further 50,000 spectators are also expected, while the march will also contain Europe’s largest trans flag to symbolise commitment to trans rights.
Although Sturgeon will become the first serving First Minister to march in a Pride parade, other political leaders have recently took part in pride marches.
They include Canada’s Justin Trudeau and Ireland’s Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar.
