David Harrison and Moray Councillor Scott Lawrence promote new LGBTQ+ event Pride In Moray
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RAINBOW flags will fly over Grant Park next month to promote a regional Pride event in the autumn.
The colours will be seen on flag poles from July 21, leading up to a fundraising coffee morning from 10am-noon at Forres Town Hall on Saturday, July 30, ahead of a new Pride in Moray event in Elgin on September 3.
David Harrison (39), from Forres, confirmed the event is being organised by volunteers in the Elgin area and will kick off from the Plainstones around Moray’s capital, finishing up at Cooper Park.
He said: “There will be a Pride Village running from 2-8pm with entertainment and an after-party to finish things off.
“Highland Pride has run for a few years now, which was a huge step for the LGBTQ+ community in the north of Scotland. Moray has never had this and, with Highland Pride not going ahead this year, it’s important to go ahead with Moray Pride.”
David hopes the flag-flying, supported by Forres Community Activity Association, coffee morning and procession will encourage more Forres folk to support the LGBTQ+ community in the area.
He said: “ Forres can be quite a conservative town which has never shown support openly, whereas neighbouring towns such as Elgin, Buckie and Aberlour have.
“Moray has council buildings, charities and companies who openly support the community but with Auchernack no longer here and less High Street shops, a supportive, colourful event that will bring people together can only be a good thing.
“It’s important for us to show that Forres is an open and safe place to live. There is an LGBTQ+ presence here - we want to show younger people exploring their sexuality that they don’t have to be alone.”
David is grateful to a number of local businesses for agreeing to decorate windows with Pride displays, helping to promote Forres as an inclusive place to live.
He was also thrilled to hear that Findhorn Bay Arts is running a project with LGBTQ+ Youth in Forres, offering them a safe space to meet.
He added: “In preparation for Pride in Moray locally, I’ve been backed by wonderful volunteers and friends. I’ve also had a great deal of support and guidance from our newly elected councillors, particularly Scott Lawrence (Forres, SNP).”
Councillor Lawrence said: “David expressed concerns about Forres being quite a conservative place. I assured him attitudes are changing and whatever someone’s sexuality or gender, they’re a welcome part of the local community.
“This has not always been the case and I know people who have left Forres in the past because of attitudes around LBGTQ+ issues.
“The flying of the rainbow flag is a positive sign that Forres is shaking that conservative label.”
David feels safe as a gay man in Forres but still wonders what the community’s reaction would be if he held his partner’s hand in public.
He said: “Would they look at me with disgust? Throw insults? Perhaps physically abuse us? Sometimes it’s better not to risk something like that happening. My friend recently suffered a homophobic attack in Lossiemouth and we hear of issues in Elgin.”
He added: “I was recently involved in a talk with LGBTQ+ kids from Speyside High School who had questions on safety in Moray and what it was like for me growing up as a kid compared to now.
“It was a privilege to talk to these young people - I told them it’s important to be safe, consider your surroundings and remember not everyone is open minded.”
If local businesses would like to show their support for Pride in Moray by sponsorship or by donating raffle prizes, please get in touch.
See www.pridemoray.co.uk for more information.
