PRIDE of St Andrews

This weekend (Saturday 11 February 2017) people from across the rainbow of the Fife community are invited to join St Andrews PRIDE to celebrate love, diversity and personal identity.

A parade will commence from St Salvator’s Quad at 11am (where the PRIDE flag will be flying from the chapel), and a piper will lead the way along North Street, across Union Street, and down Market Street to the Students’ Association building. Please be aware this will require short-term road closures (likely to fall within the window of 10.30am to 12noon).

Following last year’s attack in Orlando, and with fears for LGBT rights under Trump, organisers say it has never been more important to show our support for the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender community around the world.

Ryan Hay, Vice-President of Welfare for Saints LGBT+, said: “St Andrews PRIDE is Fife’s longest-running LGBT+ Pride Parade. Pride Parades have been a long-standing part of the LGBT+ movement, and the St Andrews parade represents a wonderful opportunity for students, local organisations, local residents and University staff to gather together and show our support and love for the LGBT+ people in the community we share and beyond. Organisers Saints LGBT+, along with Police Scotland and Fife Council, would be delighted to invite you to walk together with us in a piped procession in solidarity with, celebration of, and love for the LGBT+ people in our lives.”

Sukhi Bains, University of St Andrews Equality and Diversity Officer, said: “I am grateful to the University community for facilitating the St Andrews PRIDE.  Celebration of diversity is key to ensuring respect and dignity for our local and national communities of different sexual orientations. The public are invited to join the march to show togetherness and that people can be proud to be who they want to be. ”

After the procession there will be a reception hosted by local businesses in the Students’ Association, with support from NHS Fife, the Terrence Higgins Trust and Pink Saltire. The event promises give-aways, music and a tone of celebration and love.

Notes to news editors

For background see the University Staff LGBTIQ+ Role Models webpage.

Issued by the University of St Andrews Press Office, contactable on 01334 46 2530 or [email protected].