Glasgow Pride event bans drag; say it may offend

A Pride organisation in Glasgow, Scotland, have banned drag queens from performing at this year’s celebrations due to internal concerns that they may be ‘offensive’ the trans community.

The organisation known as Free Pride Glasgow consider themselves an ‘anti-commercialist’ alternative to the major Pride event in the city.

“It was felt by the group within the Trans/Non Binary Caucus that some drag performance, particularly cis drag, hinges on the social view of gender and making it into a joke, however transgender individuals do not feel as though their gender identity is a joke,” Free Pride Glasgow announced in a public statement.

“This can be particularly difficult for those who are not out and still present as the gender they were assigned at birth. While it was discussed whether we could have any trans drag acts perform, it was agreed that as it would not be appropriate to ask any prospective drag acts whether or not they identified as trans.”

Drag queens and kings have a long history with Pride celebrations, Marsha P Johnson was one of the first to combat the police who were tormenting the LGBTIQ community in the Stonewall riots – a major catalyst for today’s LGBTIQ rights movement.

Pride Glasgow, the main Pride event in the city, also discussed banning drag queens at the 2010 festival, however they decided against the move.

“We can understand the actions behind Free Pride over the banning of drag performers but believe this is the wrong action to take and is going against what an inclusive event should be about,” Pride Glasgow told media.

“Pride Glasgow believes that any community group should be given their place to flourish but that success should not be built on the negativity and ignorance towards other events, groups and like-minded people. We are saddened to see that this is the direction that Free Pride has chosen to take.”

OIP Staff