12/06/2026
Happy Pride to Shetland Pride we hope you have an amazing day!
We are all set up and ready to go, thank you to everyone who gave their time to help us today, and thank you in advance for everyone who is coming out tomorrow!
I wanted to take a moment before Pride itself to reflect on a question we get asked all the time: Why do we need Pride?
Honestly, it feels like we need it more than ever before. Year on year, the hatred in online comments gets worse, to the point that news websites need to limit commenting altogether. Hostility and attacks on our community are becoming more commonplace. I have a thick skin when it comes to homophobia, but not everyone does, and I hate thinking that people are reading that thinking that hatred lies within their own community.
Rights that many people assumed were secure are being questioned, and conversations that should be about dignity and respect are too often filled with hostility.
In newly formed Reform councils in England after the election in May a number of anti-LGBTQIA+ measures have been enacted. It's been mandated in some places that muncipal buildings can no longer fly Pride flags. Thankfully that isn't the case here, and we are always so pleased to see the Pride flag on display on the Town Hall. In other places libraries have been told to remove Pride-themed book displays, and there have been funding and sponsorship cuts from Pride events.
It all feels like we're moving backwards instead of forwards.
That's exactly why Pride is so important. Pride is about visibility. It's about community. It's about reminding LGBTQIA+ people in Shetland that they are not alone.
It's for the teenager who's still figuring things out. It's for the person who isn't out yet. It's for the people who have spent years hiding parts of themselves. It's for those of us who have found our place and want to help others find theirs too. Not only that, it's also for all the people who came before us, who couldn't be out and proud like we are now.
And it's for our allies, whose support means more than you know.
We call it a parade, but Pride is and will always be a protest. It's a statement that LGBTQIA+ people belong here. We've always been here, and we'll continue to be here.
If you've never been to Pride before, we'd love to see you. Come along, bring your friends, bring your family, and help us show what kind of community Shetland can be. Come and watch the march (it'll be hard to miss), or come to the Pride village and play some games!
Because when the world feels increasingly divided, choosing kindness, acceptance and solidarity matters more than ever.
See you tomorrow. 🏳️🌈❤️
Love,
Sarah and the rest of the Pride Committee ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
