Pride in Moray gets council backing

Moray's first ever Pride day received the unanimous backing of the council earlier today.

The event in Elgin on September 3 is being planned as a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.

A motion was brought before Moray Council during its first meeting following the summer break, asking it to voice its support.

Councillor Juli Harris (Speyside/Glenlivet, SNP) who proposed the motion, stated there had already been comments – both positive and negative – about the event on social media.

She said: "People who are LGBTQ+ are still being abused both verbally and physically.

"Change is possible and it is desirable.

"Many young LGBTQ+ are leaving the area because they can't come out for fear of rejection."

The motion was seconded by cllr Draeyk Van der Horn (Forres, Green) said: "As an out queer man this motion is very close to my heart.

"Being the subject of abuse or violence just for being who you are is something that nobody should have to face."

Cllr Jérémie Fernandes (Elgin North, SNP), said the past years had seen steep rises in the number of both homophobic and transphobic attacks that are being reported nationally.

He said: "Look at come of the comments on social media about this very motion – it's horrendous."

Several other councillors also spoke in support of the motion during the meeting.

These included Amber Dunbar (Elgin North, Conservative), Ben Williams (Fochabers/Lhanbryde, Labour), Neil McLennan (Buckie, Independent) and Sonya Warren (Buckie, SNP).

Pride in Moray will take place on the first Saturday of September.

It will begin at 1pm with speeches on the Elgin Plainstones.

A parade will then make its way along the High Street and across to Cooper Park via the cathedral.

Events in the park will include live music, a pet show and a competition to find Moray’s drag idol.

Celebrations in the park will conclude at 7.45pm.

A ticketed party will then take place at Elgin City FC's social club.

More information is available at Pride in Moray’s Facebook page and website.

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