Nicola Sturgeon addresses Pride Glasgow 2017
- Published
Nicola Sturgeon has become the first serving first minister to speak at the Pride Glasgow festival.
Thousands of people paraded through the streets of the city as the annual celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex culture got under way.
Ms Sturgeon told the crowds gathered later on Glasgow Green: "Love is Love, wherever you are and whoever you are."
She said there was still work to be done to achieve true equality.
This year's festival focuses on family life.
Organisers said the message was that everyone should have the chance to enjoy family life without discrimination or persecution.
Ms Sturgeon described Scotland as one of the "best countries in the world" for LGBT-plus rights but said it was important to "keep making progress".
She said: "My pledge as your first minister today is this: as long as I hold this office we will continue to do everything we need to do to make sure Scotland is not just one of the best countries in the world, but the best country in the world for LGBTI rights."
Earlier, she had tweeted that it was a "privilege" to be invited to speak at the event.
The annual parade set off from Glasgow Green at midday on Saturday and snaked through the city centre.
The two-day festival features Irish girl band B*Witched, Finnish singer Saara Aalto and former N-Trance singer Kelly Llorenna. There is also a dog show and fairground.
Those attending the event also have access to a market, community stalls, family area, youth space and fairground rides once inside the designated Pride site.
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In the aftermath of events in Spain, Police Scotland said security was a priority at big events taking place this weekend - including Pride Glasgow and the Edinburgh Festival.
Assistant Chief Constable Nelson Telfer said: "The measures that we've put in place for the Edinburgh festival and the Pride march in Glasgow are proportionate to the events.
"I'm quite confident that they'll be very successful events and everyone attending them will enjoy them."
- Published20 August 2016
- Published22 August 2015
