Nicola Sturgeon joined thousands marching in Glasgow's Pride parade on Saturday, celebrating 30 years of the event. The former first minister participated in support of Time for Inclusive Education (TIE), walking through the city centre under July sunshine.
Appearance Amid Controversy
Her appearance came days after she dismissed allegations made in Parliament. Former Brexit secretary David Davis claimed in the House of Commons that Sturgeon knew about her estranged husband Peter Murrell's activities, accusing her of misleading the public. “She knew full well what her husband was doing and how those luxury purchases were funded,” Davis told MPs. Sturgeon responded by accusing Davis of “spreading conspiracy theories”. She has consistently denied wrongdoing and previously said she was “deceived, misled and betrayed” by Murrell, who was convicted recently.
Celebrating 30 Years of Pride
This year's event marked the 25th organised Pride March in Glasgow, with the city celebrating three decades since the first march in June 1996, which began as a protest for LGBTQ+ rights. Thousands gathered at Glasgow Green before marching along the Clyde into the city centre, with music and dancing throughout the route before returning to the starting point.
Support and Criticism
The celebration featured support from organisations including train company Lumo, Irn Bru maker AG Barr, and Scottish Water. A full programme included headline acts Liberty X and Ultrabeat, alongside Honey G, Kelly Wilde, Just The Brave, and a Chappell Roan tribute act. However, the event faced criticism over its partnership with Coca-Cola. Scottish Green MSP for Glasgow Southside Holly Bruce said: “Pride began as a protest against oppression, not as a corporate branding opportunity. It must remain rooted in liberation and solidarity, and those values cannot stop at the edge of our own community.” She added: “With Palestinians enduring genocide, occupation and unimaginable suffering, promoting a company that is subject to a Palestine-led boycott like Coca-Cola is indefensible.” Bruce called for Glasgow’s Pride to drop Coca-Cola, adopt transparent BDS-aligned sponsorship rules, and sign the Fossil Free Pride pledge. “The Scottish Greens are clear, Glasgow deserves a joyful and inclusive Pride that lives its values, and there can be no pride in genocide,” she said. A counter-protest by campaign group No Pride in Genocide was also held on Glasgow Green. The group said: “We as No Pride in Genocide Glasgow thank the Glasgow Green MSPs for their support of our campaign against pinkwashing.”
