Thousands flocked to the streets of Aberdeen, decked out in costumes or waving flags and banners, to revel in the return of the biggest LGBTQ+ celebration in the north-east.
Grampian Pride returned to the Granite City on Saturday, flooding the grey streets with bright colours, music and fun.
The event, organised by LGBT+ charity Four Pillars, celebrated its fifth year of encouraging people to “just be yourself”.
Despite being an overcast and cloudy day, Alford Place was swarming with people waiting in anticipation and buzzing with excitement.
This was the first time since 2019 that Grampian Pride was able to return in full to the city.
Deejay Bullock, event lead coordinator, explained a virtual event and even a Winter Parade was organised in 2021, however, they were unable to host the Village down by Queen’s Links.
The parade began at Holburn Junction at 11am, before working its way down Union Street.
Floats, drummers and performers were joined by both members and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community as they marched down Union Street.
Rainbow flags fluttered in the sky as the happy chatter of people and music filled the air.
To try show the full scale of people taking part, the procession has gone as far as the Trinity Centre with others still at the very end of Union Street. Organisers said they have sold around 6,000 tickets. pic.twitter.com/s6n3jlKLsX
— Evening Express (@EveningExpress) May 28, 2022
‘Bringing community back together’
Almost 6,000 people bought tickets to take part in the parade alone and Mr Bullock, chief executive of Four Pillars, described it as “fantastic” to be back.
“Just that sense of community coming back together just warms my heart,” he added. “That’s what this is all about – bringing our community back together after such a trying time.”
For some people, this was the first time they were able to take part in the celebrations.
Emilia Soultana, 22, is a student at Aberdeen University and this celebration was her first Pride event.
She came along with her friend and fellow student, Anaelle Perreau, 22, who had been to Pride before but not in Scotland.
“It was really nice to see all the people joining in,” Miss Perreau said. “We’re French and it’s nice to see Pride here in Scotland.
“It’s nice to be here with other people celebrating.”
Liam Beveridge, 27, is a student at SRUC and this was his first time at Grampian Pride.
He said: “It feels really good to be here, obviously because of Covid and everything, it feels good to be back and celebrating who we are.”
‘It’s been good to see the support’
Stewart Farquhar, 32, a member of Aberdeen FrontRunners said taking part in the event was a fun way to meet other groups and get involved.
He said: “We’re an LGBT sports group in Aberdeen and it’s been really fun to meet other groups and get involved, see the community spirit and see Aberdeen get behind the local pride event.
“Especially after the last couple of years it’s been great to get back out there and the turnout has been absolutely amazing.
“Not just people in the parade but also the people lining up in the streets and the businesses that have been getting out the pride flags and getting behind us. It’s been good to see the support.”
GALLERY: All the best pictures of Grampian Pride 2022
Another member of the running club, 23-year-old Aidan Colquhoun agreed and said he was happy to see young people out supporting the event.
“Seeing so many young people with their families is so important that they’re here at Pride and they realise it’s such an accepting and welcoming place.
“And that’s what I think is really important and great about the next generation, the environment that they’re growing up in.”
Once the parade finished at Castlegate, the celebrations moved on to the Village at Queen’s Links and the Beach Esplanade.
Venues across the city are holding events throughout the day and into the evening to continue celebrating and supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
Conversation