Highland Pride announces winter programme of events to coincide with LGBT History Month
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FILM screenings, book readings and walks are among the activities taking place in a new Winter Pride programme being organised by the LGBT community in the Highlands.
The programme, put together by Highland Pride, takes place throughout February to coincide with LGBT History Month.
It builds on the success of the second Pride march in Inverness last summer when more than 10,000 took part, making it one of the biggest Pride events in Scotland.
Jess Taylor, Highland Pride events manager, said surveys following last summer’s events had revealed people were interested in meeting up for more activities.
“I think there have been events in the past but they have been a bit under the radar,” she said.
“They have not been publicised a lot to ensure there has not been a backlash, or to ensure people feel safe and comfortable.
“Really, we are putting the Pride flag in the ground and saying we are here and we are going to have more visibility.
“It is helping us to continue showing the Highlands as welcoming and inclusive for the LGBT community.”
The winter programme kicked off last weekend with the official opening of a month-long exhibition at the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery featuring interviews with leading members of the modern day LGBT+ community and profiles of historical figures linked to the Highlands.
Other events include two free screenings at the city’s Eden Court Theatre.
It will show Beautiful Thing on Thursday and Pride on February 13.
The theatre is also hosting an exhibition, Queerness and Queer Identity, featuring work by mixed media and textile artist Fiona Percy, while on Friday it is holding an event for trans and non-binary people.
A fundraising show, Anti-Valentine’s Drag Night, will take place at the Botanic House in Castle Street, Inverness on February 14.
Featuring Highland drag queen Venus Guytrap and drag king Jamie McCormick, the proceeds will go to Highland Pride 2020 taking place in Inverness on Sunday, July 19.
Other events include walks, a Sunday social, a writing workshop and a free training session aimed at professionals to explore topics such as discrimination, homophobia, terminology, language, equality and diversity.
Ms Taylor said originally they planned to have a few events but it had snowballed.
“A lot of people wanted to get involved,” she said.
Activities are also taking place in Wick and Thurso although Ms Taylor acknowledged she had hoped to see more.
“I think there is still a bit of hesitation in rural communuties but little by little it will grow,” she said.
