The second controversial gay pride event in the Outer Hebrides is to go ahead this weekend – but with the local council again refusing to fly the LGBT rainbow flag from its headquarters in support.
Around 400 people demonstrated their backing for Pride Hebrides last October in a colourful parade through Stornoway.
The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland had opposed the first Hebridean Pride march and said last year it found “this particular sin . . . especially evil and defiling in the eyes of the Lord”.
In a letter signed by Allan MacColl of the Outer Isles Presbytery, the church urged Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) to deny permission for any public gatherings “which promote the homosexual lifestyle”.
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But the council confirmed today that it has refused to fly the LGBT rainbow flag on Saturday because it contradicts its flag policy.
In an email sent to organisers last year the council wrote:”The Comhairle receives many requests to display and to fly flags, and to ensure fairness and equity has a policy on the flying of flags, which is currently under review.
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“Our current policy does not include the flying of a Pride Flag, and you will appreciate that it is not appropriate to make ad hoc exceptions to a policy which has been agreed through the Comhairle.
“It is also not our practice that flags be flown at weekends, since that would require one of our employees to raise and lower the flag on days when the offices are closed, and it is general practice that flags are not flown in front of empty buildings, a practice to which the Comhairle adheres.”
The council also confirmed that it has not received any appeal from protesters this time to ban the event and has said that anyway all such occasions would be allowed to go ahead, under its equalities policy.
Hebridean Pride announced that final preparations are underway for this year’s event, which takes place in Stornoway on Saturday (June 1) – and praised the council and local businesses for their support.
The organisation has also received £9,500 from the National Lottery.
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Susanne Erbida, chair of the Hebridean Pride committee, praised Western Isles Council and Stornoway Trust for their help with organisation.
“I have to say, the council have been very supportive – although we still don’t have the rainbow flag and we won’t get it but we’re working on that,” she said.
