Flying the Flag for LGBT Rights!

Today’s the day. The opening ceremony is in just a few hours and Glasgow is buzzing and melting! What a great combination. To top it all off here are some pictures of rainbow flags to brighten up your day.

The STUC is pleased that the response to our campaign to fly the rainbow flag has been so successful. Trade Union buildings across Glasgow and all over Scotland will be flying the flag.

The Rainbow Flag on the STUC building 

A number of Councils have also joined us including Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian. Glasgow City Council, as host city, is required to work within strict protocols around the flying of flags during the Commonwealth Games. It did, however, fly the rainbow flag from the City Chambers on 11 July as a symbol of solidarity with the LGBT community in Glasgow and across the Commonwealth.

The STUC was also pleased that the Scottish Government agreed to join our campaign and fly the rainbow flag on St Andrew’s House for the duration of the Games. This is the first time that the rainbow flag has officially flown on a Scottish Government building.

The Rainbow Flag on St Andrew's House

By flying the rainbow flag during the Games we aim to show solidarity with LGBT people all over the Commonwealth. Currently 42 out of 53 Commonwealth countries criminalise homosexuality resulting in LGBT people being subject to harassment, degrading treatment and even imprisonment or death. This is simply unacceptable and it is right that we should use our Commonwealth Games to raise awareness and promote a more positive vision of the future.

Join our campaign by posting pictures during the Commonwealth Games using the hashtag  #gamespride

Helen Martin
STUC