Glasgow’s Pride looked a little different this year.
Corporate floats carrying the likes of Scotland’s youngest drag queen, Cherry West, led the parade, which began at Festival Park, near the Glasgow Science Centre and the BBC building, crossed the river via the Clyde Arc (known colloquially as “The Squinty Bridge”), passed by Glasgow Central Station, and ended in the Glasgow Green: an unusual route. The parade included kilted bagpipers and drummers, a large brass band, and various community groups.
The official Pride venue was the historic Barrowlands, where hundreds of vendors sold merchandise, food, and drink from market stalls and brick-and-mortar establishments. Performances were held in the Barrowlands Ballroom and broadcast to screens in the nearby Barrowlands Art and Design (BAaD) space by performers including Irish duo Jedward, winners of X Factor 2009, and local celesbian Fiorenza Cocozza from the BBC reality dating show “I Kissed A Girl.”
Official numbers have not yet been released but are presumed to be similar to the 50,000 marchers in previous years.
An estimated 10,000 marchers draped in watermelon-colored garb marched at the rear of the Pride Parade, reminding us of Pride’s roots and standing in solidarity with oppressed people, including LGBTQ+ communities, around the world.
Check out our exclusive slideshow of photos from the parade.
