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Council asked to support Moray's first Pride day


By Hazel Lawson Local Democracy Reporter

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Moray Council is being asked to support the first Pride day to take place in the area.

Councillors Draeyk van der Horn (Forres) and Juli Harris (Speyside/Glenlivet, SNP) have put forward a motion at a meeting next week seeking backing for the event in September.

The motion also calls on thier fellow councillors to recognise the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in rural areas, especially younger people.

Draeyk van der Horn.
Draeyk van der Horn.

Cllr van der Horn has been involved in organising Pride events across the world and was keen to back efforts to hold one in Moray

He said: "Kids are still finding it difficult to come out.

"People are much more supportive but I still think we’ve a long way to go, not just in Scotland but around the world.

"Our rights are interlinked. We only need to look at America to see women lose their right to have a say over their own bodies.

Juli Harris.
Juli Harris.

Cllr Harris, who is the council’s equalities champion, said: "This is the first Pride event in Moray and we should be supporting it.

"We need to make sure the community is treated with fairness and respect.

"It’s important to recognise the challenges people face including young people living in rural areas, and make sure access to events and facilities is available to all.”

Pride in Moray will be held in Elgin on September 3, the first Saturday of the month.

It will begin at 1pm in the town centre with speeches.

A parade will make its way along the High Street and across to Cooper Park via the cathedral.

Events in the park will include music, a pet show and a competition to find Moray’s drag idol.

Celebrations at the park conclude at 7.45pm, then move to Elgin City Football Club where a ticketed after-party will be held.

More information is available on Pride in Moray’s Facebook page and website.


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