Pride House 2018 Opens
1st August 2018
Pride House opens to celebrate the European Championships
A programme of more than 70 sport and cultural events at Pride House will celebrate diversity and help to deliver an inclusive sports programme as part of the European Championships.
Around 80 dignitaries, community leaders and guests attended a launch event at Pride House, which was officially opened on Tuesday by Minister for Mental Health Claire Haughey and Leader of Glasgow City Council Susan Aitken.
City Property has provided a partially refurbished shop unit, with new accessible toilet facilities, close to the European Championships administration centre.
The venue, at 17 Trongate, will demonstrate a commitment to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) equality on the international stage and play host to a range of sports, discussion, cultural and arts events aimed at breaking down the barriers which prevent LGBTI people from participating in sports.
Led by LEAP Sports Scotland, Pride House will also provide information and advice about the wider events programme during the European Championships for LGBTI visitors, and act as a meeting space for the community.
The Scottish Government is providing £20,000 whilst Festival 2018 is providing £10,000 to support Pride House and its programme of events during the Championships.
Minister for Mental Health Clare Haughey, said:
“Major events like the European Championships and Festival 2018 bring together people from all walks of life and are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Scotland’s diversity whilst we take centre stage in global terms.
“From 1-12 August Pride House, which is supported by a £20,000 funding contribution from the Scottish Government, will showcase a range of exceptional artists and performers, providing the opportunity for the LGBTI community to meet and discuss some of the most important issues of the day and sending an important message on Scotland's ongoing commitment to equality in sport.
“I would encourage everyone to join the celebrations at no. 17, Trongate, where everyone is guaranteed a warm welcome and where everyone can be themselves with ‘Pride’.”
Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said:
“The 2018 European Championships will once again both highlight how successfully we can host major international events and what an inclusive city Glasgow is. These championships will show that participation in sport is for all, and that everyone is invited to join in the celebrations around this fantastic event. So I am delighted that this diversity will be celebrated at Pride House during what will be a memorable time for Glasgow, and I look forward to a fantastic programme of events over the next 11 days.”
Hugh Torrance, Executive Director of LEAP Sports Scotland, the group responsible for Pride House Glasgow said:
‘Major international sporting events such as the European Championships give us an excellent opportunity to consider equality in sports and wider human rights issues, and Pride House creates a space where this can happen. “The Pride House Glasgow programme has been designed to be inviting to all ages, and intersections of our community and we look forward to seeing athletes, visiting delegations, officials and visitors, using the space alongside the LGBTI community of Glasgow”
