Latest news with #LGBT
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Edinburgh Pride: 10 best photos from Edinburgh's first ever Pride march in 1995, 30 years ago
June 17, 1995 was a real landmark occasion, as it was the day Scotland's capital conquered prejudice with a resounding display of Pride, as more than 3,000 people triumphantly marched together from Broughton Street to the Meadows via Princes Street. Fast forward to today, and the longest-running LGBTQIA+ celebration in Scotland has grown massively since 1995. This year's event is a weekend-long affair, which includes the annual march through the streets of Edinburgh on Saturday, June 21. As thousands of people gather to celebrate diversity, we look back to that first ever Pride march in the city. Take a look through our photo gallery for a nostalgic trip back to 1995 – and let us know your own memories in the comments section before you go. 1 . Remembering Edinburgh's first ever Pride march Browse our gallery to see 10 of the best photos from Edinburgh's first ever Pride march in 1995. Photo: Third Party Photo Sales 2 . Pride Scotland 1995 The march took place in Edinburgh in June 1995. Photo: Tina Norris Photo Sales 3 . The Mound A huge crowd make their way up the Mound to show their support. Photo: Equality Network Photo Sales 4 . All bar nun The inclusive event saw thousands take to the streets in an effort to conquer the prejudices felt by the LGBT community. Photo: TINA NORRIS Photo Sales Related topics: EdinburghScotland
Edinburgh Live
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
'Edinburgh Pride is needed more than ever - things have regressed'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Thousands are set to take to the streets for Pride Edinburgh, and the team behind the event believe it could be 'needed now more than ever'. Jamie Love, marketing director for the event, met with Edinburgh Live ahead of the march on Saturday, June 21. With setup underway, and the Pride Village donned with a rainbow dancefloor, Jamie reminded us that people gather for 'more than just a party'. Jamie, who was victim to 'shocking' homophobic abuse on a train recently, feels things may be regressing for the LGBT+ community. Speaking to Edinburgh Live on Friday, he said: "I think we need it this year more than our previous few years. "We all know like there's been so many changes within legislation and government and this year more than ever, I think they've regressed, a lot. There's an activist spirit, you can really feel it in in comparison to other years. "I think transphobia, homophobia is probably the highest it's been in quite a while. It creates an environment where people are afraid." Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox Speaking on the reasons behind pride events around the world, Jamie continued: "The main reason really why pride exists is to better the lives of LGBT people and ensure that they have equal rights, and equal opportunities, and can live happily. I grew up in the Middle East, where it's illegal to be gay. I love going back for a holiday, but I couldn't live there. It was weird being a teenager and being the only gay in the desert sort of thing." While some question whether pride events are 'party or protest', Jamie feels the Edinburgh event combines both. He added: "There's definitely certain prides that are just a party, but I think with us being in Edinburgh - the march literally starts at parliament. We'll always be a very political movement, it'll always be a protest and have an activist spirit behind it. "The event's for everyone. I would always encourage anyone to come along, and that's the amazing thing, when you stand on stage and you look out to the crowd, it's awesome. (Image: Edinburgh Live) "You have the kind of younger teams right at the front, you've the young professionals in the middle and then families at the back - people bring their grandparents and everything. It's such a nice, community inclusive event. "That's the unique thing about Pride Edinburgh, which you don't get at other prides of this scale, is that at its core it's still very much a community event." Jamie was on his way home from receiving an inclusivity award in Glasgow on May 31 when an incident occurred, which gives insight into the ongoing need for pride events. Jamie says a man began touching his hair and irritating his colleagues, before the behaviour soon escalated when the man repeatedly called him a "f****t". Jamie said: "The most jarring part is the irony - being recognised for creating safer spaces and driving inclusion, only to be targeted for who I am hours later. It's a sobering reminder of how far we still have to go. No one should have to experience hate for simply existing. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. "I've never been in a position where I've had to call the police so it's quite sad. The guy got on as three of us were sat at a table but the train was packed. "He got on and immediately went to touch my hair. I said please don't touch me and his friend was trying to push him away. He then started getting aggressive, it was chaos. "That's when the slurs started and he started picking on a colleague of mine. It's weird going from a diversity awards night to that in a matter of hours. It's quite shocking." Ahead of Saturday's event, Council Leader Jane Meagher said: "Once again, all the colours of the rainbow will paint our city for Pride. "With the sun set to shine, this weekend's march is set to be a fantastic celebration of inclusivity and respect and we'll be flying the rainbow flag above the City Chambers to show our solidarity. It's likely to be busy in the city centre with some road closures in place at times, so please do plan ahead if you're joining in the march and have a great, safe day out."
Telegraph
5 hours ago
- General
- Telegraph
Primary school children taught about the 300 flags of Pride
Schoolchildren are being taught about 300 different LGBT pride flags and the sexualities and gender identities behind each of them. Leaflets handed out at primary schools by the charity Swindon and Wiltshire Pride claim there are more flags representing sexuality and gender identity than there are for countries. The material, signposted by the local council on social media, goes into detail about a 'small selection' of 29 varieties. It says: 'While some might think [300] is too many, it's all part of a drive to be more inclusive of the expansive breadth of identity within the community'. Along with the rainbow LGBT Pride flag are a variety of offshoots, from the 'intersex-inclusive Pride flag' to the 'polyamory Pride flag' and even a black and white 'heterosexual flag' for straight people, which it says can include transgender people. The materials make up part of a free annual support guide produced by the charity, which also points to websites providing advice on controversial practices such as wearing a 'binder to reduce apparent size of breasts', the use of cross-sex hormones in under-18s, and information on 'fetish spectrums'. Parents of children at the primary schools told The Telegraph their concerns had been ignored by the local Labour council. The three double-page spreads about Pride flags describe the identity each is meant to represent, what the colours mean and when the flag was created, if known. For example, beneath the pink, purple and green 'trigender Pride flag', the charity explains that 'trigender is a gender identity in which a person switches between or among several genders, including a third gender', which may change depending 'on the individual's mood or environment'. The 'omnisexual' flag explainer says the term refers to someone attracted to all genders and sexualities, and that it was created in 2015, but that the creator 'never explained the exact meaning of the colours'. The polyamory flag, which represents people who engage in multiple romantic and sexual relationships at once, is described as being comprised of 'blue for openness and honesty, magenta for desire, love, and attraction; purple represents a united non-monogamous community. Gold represents the energy and perseverance and the white represents possibility'. One mother, a former teacher, said the guide being given out in primary schools was 'really concerning'. 'Obviously the polyamory one, encouraging children to have multiple sex partners, they shouldn't be sexualising children,' she said. 'In the guide itself, under education, it states it is 'for schools, teachers, and students'. 'A couple of sentences down, for example, it says 'raise awareness of the lesser known identities across the fetish spectrum',' she added, saying that was 'inappropriate'. Among the other Pride flags are 'genderqueer', 'demiboy' and 'demigirl', 'pangender', 'abrosexual' and the 'straight ally flag', which places the rainbow colours in the shape of an 'A' on top of the black and white heterosexual flag. Helen Joyce, the director of advocacy at human rights charity Sex Matters, said the flags 'draw children in' and 'suggest that children need to find themselves on the list'. 'They recruit children into the world of sexual orientation and gender identity, which is inappropriate and unnecessary. Encouraging very young children to wonder about their gender or sexual orientation in this reckless way creates safeguarding risks,' she added. 'Some of these flags promote the false belief that a child can be born in the wrong body, which is deeply unsettling for young people. They should be protected from such misguided and harmful ideas, but instead, adult concepts are being pushed at them, disguised as harmless fun.' The controversial material has been the subject of complaints for ignoring the Cass Review, which has resulted in changes to the NHS's treatment of gender-questioning children, but schools have not been bound by the same rules. Despite being published almost a year after Baroness Cass, a paediatrician, published her final recommendations and raised concerns about the use of cross-sex drugs in children, the guide continues to point towards resources promoting them. The guide also includes a page on 'top tips for gender equality in the classroom' with advice on mixing up he/she/they pronouns in books, jumbling up toys so all genders have an equal opportunity' to play with them, and allowing children to change their gender identity in class. 'Be inclusive of a child who identifies as another gender to the one they were assigned at birth,' it says. 'Refer to the child in the gender they prefer. Your modelling of how this child is included and referred to will be paramount to the attitudes of the other children and their families.' It also says: 'Use gender-neutral language when referring to children, e.g. instead of saying 'Choose a boy', say 'Choose a friend'.' Another page has a diagram of the 'genderbread person', a gingerbread figure, which says: 'Gender is one of those things everyone thinks they understand, but most people don't. Gender isn't binary. It's not either/or. In many cases it's both/and. A bit of this, a dash of that,' it reads. Under identity, it tells children that identity 'is how you, in your head, experience and define your gender, based on how much you align (or don't align) with what you understand the options for gender to be.' The mother and former teacher, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed her concerns had been waved away by Jim Robbins, the council's chairman. She said she had also met local MP, Heidi Alexander, the Transport Secretary, who has made enquiries to the council and is awaiting a response. The mother said: 'My question was, why are schools and public health not in line with the Cass Review? How can school policy be so divorced? 'She [Ms Alexander] said I was 'the only person in my constituency that has raised these issues',' the mother said. 'I know there are more, but even if [it was just me], we are talking about child safeguarding, child safety needs to be investigated.' A spokesman for Swindon and Wiltshire Pride said: 'We believe in 'Pride 365': a year-round commitment to celebrating identity, raising awareness, and supporting LGBTQIA+ people in our community. Throughout the year, we engage with a wide range of local events, organisations, and educational settings to build understanding and foster inclusion. 'During this Pride Month, we were invited into a small number of local schools to support their curriculum-led work around diversity and LGBTQIA+ relationships. Our support guide includes helpful information, links to support organisations, and content written for all audiences – it contains no sexual content whatsoever. 'It is disheartening, though sadly not surprising, to face unfounded attacks or misrepresentations of our work. As a visible LGBTQIA+ charity, we know that some individuals may seek to undermine the progress we are making in fostering a more compassionate, inclusive society. 'We remain proud of our mission and grateful to the many people, schools, and communities who continue to stand with us.'
Metro
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Stephen Fry's JK Rowling criticism is welcome - but I'm still disappointed
Pleasantly surprised – and honestly, a bit relieved. That was my immediate reaction when I saw that British national treasure Sir Stephen Fry decided to finally speak out against JK Rowling's relentless demonisation of trans people and the rampant bigotry gripping the UK. Fry, who narrated all seven of Rowling's Harry Potter audiobooks, told a podcast how he no longer had regular dinners with his fellow author, and that her views on trans people were 'strange'. For trans people like me, I think her views are a bit more than that. Fry's comments, in which he claimed Rowling was 'mocking' LGBT people, had said 'inflammatory and distressing' things, describing her as a 'lost cause, radicalised by Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminists', were appreciated. Truly. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't also saddened that it took him this long to say something. For years, the trans community has raised alarm bells about the festering transphobia spreading across parts of the British media and politics. With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications! In columns like these, I've increasingly warned about the scale of this transphobia, and raised concerns about the output of JK Rowling in particular. The wider community has also pleaded for recognition, support, and solidarity for years. More often than not, our calls were met with silence – from celebrities, public figures, and others in positions of influence who could've made a difference. Let's be honest: JK Rowling's increasing hostility towards the trans community is no secret, and it is certainly nothing new. The author has clearly been on a journey, and not a positive one. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video From brushing off her liking a post describing trans women as 'men in dresses' as a 'middle-aged moment,' to claiming she'd march with trans people if they were being discriminated against (they are), Rowling is now relentlessly posting online where she openly misgenders and mocks trans people's identities and appearances. Her recent celebration of the Supreme Court's ruling on the definition of sex as it relates to the Equality Act was just the latest move in a long campaign of undermining trans rights, posting a very 'woman of the people' picture from her yacht. Last night, Fry described that picture as Rowling 'crowing' about that decision, and said he was 'very happy to go on the record to say that I am really angry about that.' He's right – but for those of us in the community – and our allies – it's been obvious for years where this was all heading. Fry said he 'always liked' Rowling's company and found her charming. But for trans people, this isn't about an intellectual debate between friends. It's about dog whistles, disinformation, and hateful rhetoric. And sadly, it's worked. Trans people are now more vilified than ever, with our very existence being questioned and our lived experience being cast aside. When Fry previously hid behind a 'both sides' argument and refused to hold his friend JK Rowling to account – I was disappointed. So while I do applaud him for finally speaking out, I can't help but note: Others have been brave enough to do so long before now. Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, and Rupert Grint didn't wait for things to get this bad to show solidarity with trans people. Meanwhile, some actors are still happily signing up for roles in the new Harry Potter series, seemingly unbothered by Rowling's rhetoric. Personally, I know I wouldn't throw a vulnerable group of people under the Knight Bus for a role no matter how much success it gave me. Equality is simply more important than currency. The level of vitriol being hurled at trans people in the UK today, from strangers online to politicians and millionaire authors, is unlike anything I've seen. This isn't a polite disagreement at a dinner party – there are tangible risks to trans people in this country. More Trending So yes, I wish Stephen Fry had spoken up sooner – and used his considerable platform to oppose the damaging views of JK Rowling before now. But I'm ultimately glad he finally has. Because right now, we need more people – especially those with influence – to find their voice and use it. It's never too late to stand on the right side of history. And if Fry's shift can inspire others to do the same, then maybe, just maybe, we're not too far gone. We need allies. We need courage. With that, we can prevent the next 'lost cause'. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: LGBT+ ally Georgia Tennant admits 'the Pride flag feels heavier this June' MORE: Ralph Fiennes warns new Voldemort in Harry Potter TV series of danger MORE: Donald Trump stuns Juventus players with dig at transgender footballers
Reuters
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Reuters
Fact Check: British RAF plane is not being painted pink for Pride Month
A satirical social media post saying a plane from Britain's Royal Air Force will be painted all colours of the rainbow flag during the LGBT community's Pride Month in June is being taken seriously online. 'Photo of the Day: This F22 from 7175Sqn has been painted pink to celebrate that start of Pride Month,' read a June 1 post on X, opens new tab sharing a picture of a pink plane, which received more than 1.1 million views. 'It will be repainted every 4 days to a different colour of the rainbow at a cost of just £80,085 per paint.' Comments on this post and a caption on an identical one on Facebook suggest some took it seriously. 'Starmer prepares for war, meanwhile what's the real preparation going on in real time here in the U.K,' read a post, opens new tab on Facebook sharing the claim and photograph. 'Putin will be quaking in his boots, pathetic,' read, opens new tab one comment under the X post. A spokesperson for the Royal Air Force said there were no plans to paint a plane for Pride Month, and that 7175 squadron did not exist. In September 2024, the Royal Air Force hosted a ceremony, opens new tab to recognise and apologise to LGBT personnel who served before the lifting of ban on them, opens new tab being in the military in January 2000. RAF_Luton, the X account that posted the claim and photograph, says on its page, opens new tab that it produces satirical content. Its biography reads: 'The assumed Official Twitter account of the world's most mysterious & secret (and fictitious) military base.' The account did not respond to a request to comment. The Royal Air Force also said there was no real base called RAF Luton. The photograph of the pink plane has a watermark of opens new tab, a website that allows flight simulator enthusiasts to create add-ons or contribute their own creations. The website did not respond to a request for comment. Reuters could not independently verify if the photo was created on the simulator site. Satire. The RAF said it has no plans to paint a plane for Pride Month. The account that made the claim regularly posts satirical content. This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team. Read more about our fact-checking work.
