Pictures: SNP parliamentarians support LGBTI+ education lobby at Glasgow Pride

22/08/2016
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Tie campaign lead march through Glasgow demanding LGBTI+ inclusive education

SNP PARLIAMENTARIANS were among hundreds of others who joined the campaign for LGBTI+ inclusive education on the Pride Glasgow march this weekend (Saturday 20 August).

The demonstration was led by the Time for Inclusive Education (Tie) campaign, and saw SNP elected representatives Alyn Smith MEP who is also a candidate for depute party leadership, Mhairi Black MP, Angela Crawley MP, Martin Docherty MP and Clare Haughey MSP.

Tie campaigners including SNP politicians Mhairi Black MP, Angela Crawley MP and Martin Docherty MP

Those joining the Tie block also included Scottish Greens leader Patrick Harvie, who addressed crowds at the beginning of the march along with Tie co-founder Liam Stevenson, and high profile Glasgow-based lawyer and campaigner Aamer Anwar.

The presence of the SNP politicians in support of Tie’s demands is significant due to the SNP’s conflicted positions over the campaign. At an historic LGBTI+ hustings in April which was dominated by Tie’s demands, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon praised the campaign but drew criticisms from its founders for failing to “go far enough” in outlining specific plans for implementing LGBTI+ inclusive education under an SNP government. Tie campaigners again criticised the SNP leadership over the weekend, citing fears that Scottish education secretary John Swinney had not made sufficient steps towards implementation of their demands. 

Alyn Smith MEP and SNP depute leadership candidate with Tie placard

The Tie campaign lead the Glasgow Pride parade, one of the most political in years, from Glasgow Green, through the city centre and then back to the park, which has been the site of historic mass demonstrations for well over a hundred years.

 

SNP MP Mhairi Black was on the Tie campaign block

Speaking to CommonSpace, Black said: “I had a fantastic time at Pride. The atmosphere was electric and despite the rain everyone had a great time.

“While we have made great strides for equality, the Tie campaign reminds us that there is still much to do, which is why Pride Remains crucially important.

“It is key that LGBTQ children grow up knowing that they are normal and inclusive education is the best way to make sure that is the case.”

 

 

Heavy rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of Pride goers, who chanted “Teach love, not hate, educate to liberate” among other slogans.

Scottish Green party leader Patrick Harvie sporting a Tie campaign t-shirt

The demonstration was a watershed moment for the Tie campaign, which has been fighting over the last year for Scottish schools to embrace education that is inclusive of the range of sexualities and sexual and gender identities that exist throughout society.

A section of the Tie block which led Glasgow Pride 2016

The campaign has received support from across the political spectrum, including from the SNP which has praised the work of the campaign, and from the Scottish Greens who have pledged they will join a cross-party bloc to push for Ties demands during the current parliamentary term.

 

Speaking before the march, co-founder of the Tie campaign Liam Stevenson said: “We have to make sure that teachers are trained properly and that LGBTI issues are part of the school curriculum. There are young people with laceration marks on their arms and young people who have committed suicide due to being bullied. Clearly we are not getting it right for every child – when is that going to change?”

Tie placards before the parade

Picutres: CommonSpace, Tie Campaign, Craig Paterson
Video: CommonSpace, Tie Campaign

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