A second Pride march in support of the LGBT community in the Highlands is to be held in Inverness this summer.
Proud Ness last year attracted thousands of supporters on the streets of the Highland capital, although some church leaders oppose the event.
Organisers yesterday announced a summer date of Sunday, July 21, for this year’s parade.
This will be the second free large-scale LGBT event for the Highlands with a parade through Inverness city centre to Bught Park.
There will be information on offer from different organisations which serve the LGBT community, speakers, and music from Inverness Gigs under a large marquee.
There will also be a funfair, inflatable city for children, and food and drink stalls.
The event has been organised by the Highland LGBT Forum whose aims are to raise awareness, reduce isolation and encourage inclusion and diversity.
Organiser Jess Taylor: “We’re delighted to bring Proud Ness back to Inverness and we’ve taken on feedback from last year’s attendees by moving the date to a summer month.
“We really hope that we can top the number of people coming along which was estimated at nearly 6,000 attendees.
“Please bring along your friends, your work colleagues, your granny. There really will be something for everyone on the day.”
https://www.facebook.com/HighlandProudNess/posts/2310662289216942
Despite its success last year, Donald Morrison, a home mission worker with the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), submitted a petition with 564 signatures to the local Highland Council in opposition to the pride parade.
He is again opposing this year’s festival, saying: “It is desperately sad to hear that this sinful and unsavoury Proud Ness event is again going ahead this year.
“Many people, across the Highlands and Islands – Christians and non-Christians alike – will be appalled to learn that immorality will be paraded and celebrated, in all its ugly colours, under the guise of ‘equality’ – on the streets of Inverness. It really is quite shocking.
“We again hope and pray that the local authority will refuse the organisers planning permission for this godless parade.
“The LGBT community have an agenda that is clearly anti-God and anti-Bible. They approve, applaud and practice relationships that are contrary to what the Bible teaches.”
Other churchgoers and leaders attended last year’s event.