Glasgow’s Free Pride, not to be mistaken for Glasgow Pride, has taken steps to ban drag queens from its Pride after a trans and non-binary caucus decided some drag acts could offend.
A pride event has become the first in the UK to officially ban drag queens from its event after deciding that some drag acts could offend.
UPDATED: 20th July 2:36
A pride event has become the first in the UK to officially ban drag queens from performing at its event after deciding that some drag acts could offend.
A statement released by the “anti-commercialist” pride event reads:
“After much discussion, the trans and non binary caucus decided not to have drag acts perform at the event.
“This does not mean that people of any gender can’t wear what they want to the event, we simply won’t be having any self-described drag acts perform at our Free Pride Event on the 22nd August. We hope people can understand and support our decision. However we feel it important to fully explain why we came this decision.
“The decision was taken by transgender individuals who were uncomfortable with having drag performances at the event. It was felt that it would make some of those who were transgender or questioning their gender uncomfortable.”
However the policy has led to many commenters to react angrily accusing the pride to be bigoted against cis people and question its role as a non-discriminatory event.
One user commenting on Free Pride’s facebook page reminded Free Pride organisers that the gay pride movement was started when Drag queens “stood up against oppression” and that they should be “lauded not excluded” Glasgow Pride responded to Free Pride’s policy by saying,
Glasgow Pride, Scotland’s largest Pride event, responded to Free Pride’s policy by saying,
“We can understand the actions behind Free Pride over the banning of Drag Performers but believe this to action to (be) wrong and going against what an inclusive event should be about. As an organisation Pride Glasgow had a similar discussion back in 2010 over how Drag could cause discomfort to people however we took the decision that Drag Queens and Kings play an important part in the history of the Pride movement and should be included within the event.”
In March the students union passed a motion banning cross-dressing or drag due to the offence it could cause trans women.
Disclosure: THEGAYUK is a media sponsor for Glasgow Pride.
