12th August 2006

Gloucester and Stroud Greens joined today's march through Gloucester

Amanda McGrath, a Gloucester Green party spokesperson, who was holding the Gloucestershire Green party banner said: "This is a hugely positive event - all about promoting acceptance of our diverse community and putting an end to the discrimination like homophobic bullying in our workplaces and schools. Greens would like to see this become a regular part of Gloucestershires' calendar at least until discrimination is ended."

Cllr Philip Booth, a Stroud District councillor, who was also amongst the marchers said: "We applaud the County Council for it's support of this event  - the first ever gay pride in Gloucester - we may indeed be the first County to fly the rainbow flag at our Shire Hall. Certainly next year I would love to see all 6 Gloucestershire District Councils flying their flags in support of this day."

Some 200 to 300 people listened to speeches on the steps of Shire Hall before setting off on a march through Gloucester city to end up at the Coach and Horses pub in St. Catherines Street. The party continued in the garden there with stalls and an evening event.

Peter Tatchell, the leading gay human rights campaigner and Green Party member, had to drop out from making a speech in Gloucester as he was invited to make the keynote speech in Toronto at the International HIV-AIDS conference on the same day. He sent a message to Gloucester saying: "I am very disappointed that I will not be at the first gay pride in Gloucestershire - but I hope to come to Gloucester later in the year."

Peter Tatchell also said earlier: "The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) population deserves political allies who will work with us to benefit our community. That is what the Greens are promising: a serious commitment to tackle homophobic discrimination and hate crimes, to support LGBT welfare organizations, and to affirm and celebrate queer lives and culture."

Philip Booth, spoke at the march, to one of the three gay Iraqis who had to flee their own country as hardline insurgent groups started targeting gay men, many of whom have been murdered on account of their sexuality. Philip Booth commented: "Under Saddam to be gay was not an offence but now this man talked about how his friend was set alight and killed for being gay. Our government regularly deports gay and lesbian asylum seekers who have fled jail, rape and torture to countries where they face jail or worse just for their sexuality. As you will see from our website we have a long history of campaigning on these issues here in Gloucestershire and nationally. It is time we saw action by this Government."

Philip Booth said: "The recent Europride in London saw over half a million people march and the Royal Navy were officially amongst the marchers there - but more change is needed. It is events like this day in Gloucester that can help enormously."

Read The Citizen report re Iraqis on the march and more re Iraq LGBT.