Campaign launched to tackle homophobia
A group which supports lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people is launching a social media campaign encouraging people to give their backing online.
People can join the #blydepride anti-homophobia campaign on Twitter and Facebook by posting a selfie with a rainbow, or having a picture taken with the #blydepride squad, who will be dressed in their rainbow gear at the Lerwick Summer Carnival on 18th June.
Tweet your selfies with a rainbow to show your support for Shetland’s LGBTQ+ community and to take a stand against homophobia. #blydepride
— Blydepride (@blydepride) May 31, 2016
The #blydepride squad will also be at the Cunningsburgh Show on 10th August, where they invite the public will be invited to bring rainbow competition entries to their stall.
Sponsorship to fund the awareness raising campaign has been supported by the local Unison branch and by NHS Shetland’s Endowments fund.
NHS Shetland chairman Ian Kinniburgh said: “I’m delighted that NHS Shetland is involved in the organisation and support of this campaign. Research evidence clearly suggests that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people experience significant health inequalities, in particular in relation to mental health and I hope that this campaign will support service improvement and reduce discrimination across Shetland.”
The term ‘blydepride’ has been chosen as a Shetland take on gay pride and also as a positive use of the Shetland language. One of the key aims of the campaign is to challenge the homophobia and transphobia that appears to be ingrained in parts of Shetland’s culture.
The campaign will be aimed particularly at men and young people.
Kevan Brown
Way back when – at the time of the Jeremy Thorpe trial, to pin it in history – I was arrested and charged in Shetland with the crime of being involved in an adult gay relationship. ‘Happily’, I was simply admonished in private, but there were times when I felt like the loneliest man on the planet. I rang Samaritans in Aberdeen, who didn’t realize that it was criminal to have gay sex. It was, as Scots Law was cruelly miles behind English Law on this point at the time.
I’m heartened therefore to see, from your article, that now, sexuality is taking its rightful place at the centre stage of human hearts, and that people can be, and should be, proud of who they are.
I’m particularly happy that this is taking place in the place where I once lived, and loved to live. Shetland has such a special place in my heart. Looking back, even the Police were kind, as were all my old work colleagues, without whom I might have foundered.
Good luck with the new venture!
Sincerely,
Ian michael norman Tinkler
We are all the children of the universe and our respective Gods. Gender and sexuality is a gift. No one has a right to condemn, criticize or even comment of how others love. Love is what matters, pure, simple, sexual or emotional. Each and every woman or man, has that right and gift, little else on Earth matters more.