Pride Edinburgh have announced they will be suspending political participation for this year’s march following the recent Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of a woman.
Organisers of the event shared their ‘alarm and concern’ on the ‘rollback of protections and support for the transgender community’ within the UK and the resulting lack of meaningful action by politicians.
Sharing their decision on Facebook, Pride Edinburgh wrote: “As we make the final preparations for Pride Edinburgh 2025: We are visible, marking our 28th event in our 30th year, we do so with a deep sense of urgency and concern.
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“The organising team is alarmed by the ongoing rollback of protections and support for the transgender community, driven by those in power across both the Scottish and UK governments and political parties.
“At its core, pride exists to amplify community voices, empower individuals, and hold institutions accountable. any move to silence or exclude undermines these very principles. We share the community’s anger, grief, and frustration.
“Following the recent supreme court ruling and the continued lack of meaningful political action. We stand in unwavering solidarity with our trans siblings. they deserve better.
“It is clear those in power and the combined voices of political parties across the UK, by their silence and inaction, are not hearing the voices of our community, and it would be wrong for Pride Edinburgh 2025 to give political parties a platform at our event.
“Therefore, the first time in our history, Pride Edinburgh is suspending the participation of all political parties from our 2025 event.”
In light of this, political parties will not be invited to give the traditional pre-march speeches, political parties will not be able to have stalls at the community fair, and they will not be permitted to partake in the march.
They continued: “Instead, in the spirit of reclaiming pride’s purpose, we are proud to support our partners at the equality network, who will host a community-led speeches stage on the morning of the march. This stage, located away from the Scottish Parliament, will feature specially invited speakers from within the community and beyond. full details will be announced by the equality network in due course.
“We are also honoured to confirm that the sisters of perpetual indulgence will once again lead the community in their traditional minutes noise and minutes silence ahead of the march.
“Pride remains open to all individuals who support the values of equality, visibility, and justice. individual MP’s, MSP’s, and members of political parties are welcome to join us in a personal capacity, in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community.”
They went on to reiterate that this is not a ban against political parties and individuals, but a suspension, adding: “Pride Edinburgh has never issued a ban and we will not begin now.
“There will be no bans issued for pride 2025.”
Edinburgh Live has contacted political parties for comment.