Glasgow Pride has raised concerns about plans for pro-Palestinian protests during Saturday’s parade.
It was said to be “strongly opposed” to any form of conflict, but the aim of Pride was to “stand up for the human rights and inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community”.
The Glasgow Greens said there was “no conflict between standing up for a free Palestine and celebrating our queer identities”.
Thousands of people are expected to take part in the colourful march, with a reported 50,000 people marching through the city last year to honour the LGBTQ+ community.
The parade departs from Festival Park at 12 noon and finishes at Glasgow Green.
The nearby Barrowland Ballroom will serve as the main stage for the free-to-enter Pride Hub, while Barras Art & Design (BAAD) will provide the community stage.
The programme includes performances from Whigfield, Jedward, Lucy Spraggan and Girls Aloud cover band Girls R Loud.
Meanwhile, the Barras Market is being transformed into a Pride Market with over 130 retailers and food stalls.
The City Council recently unveiled a new mural of the LGBTQ+ flag on Wilson Street in Merchant City ahead of this weekend’s festivities.
‘No conflict’
The Glasgow Greens and Rainbow Greens have decided not to march in the parade under the name ‘Green Bloc’, but instead to march in a ‘No Pride in Genocide: Radical Bloc’.
According to them, this was due to “reports of corporate sponsors of Glasgow’s Pride Ltd” and their possible links to Israel, as well as sponsors “accelerating the climate crisis”.
No Pride in Genocide has called on members of the LGBTQ+ community to write to Glasgow’s Pride and “express their support for a transparent and democratic approach to finance”.
Ellie Gomersall, member of the Glasgow Greens committee, said: “Pride is first and foremost a protest and we must always remember that, even as we rightly celebrate how far our community has come in our struggle for liberation.
“As we continue the fight for our human rights, we must stand in solidarity with everyone around the world who is fighting for their rights.
“There is no conflict between standing up for a free Palestine and celebrating our queer identities. It is disappointing and insulting that Glasgow’s Pride Ltd would suggest this.”
She said the Scottish Greens will always stand up for LGBTQ+ people, but that “will not stop us from supporting Palestine or tackling the climate crisis”.
Ms Gomersall added: “Pride should be about liberation for everyone, not a celebration of companies putting a rainbow in their logo.”
Glasgow Pride said it firmly opposes any form of conflict, “particularly in cases of extreme violence against a minority”.
A spokesperson said: “While it is vital that we stand up against these issues, Pride has a clear purpose: it is not a celebration, but a day to stand up for the human rights and inclusivity of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“We invite everyone to march with us in the name of inclusivity over division, and love over hate.”
