Free Pride Glasgow to allow drag queens after admitting ‘mistake’
By Will Stroude
Organisers of Free Pride Glasgow have backed down after announcing earlier this week that drag queens would be banned from performing at the event.
The event – which is not affiliated with Glasgow Pride – said they had made the decision due to concerns that drag performances could be interpreted as transphobic. The ban was slammed by stars including Panti Bliss – who called it “gob-smacking” and “regressive” – and Drag Race‘s Michelle Visage, who described it as “insane”.
Following a widespread backlash from the LGBT community and national media coverage, organisers have now apologised, admitting that they “made a mistake” and that drag queens will now be allowed to perform at the event on August 22nd.
In a statement, Free Pride Glasgow said: “The original decision was made because many trans members of Free Pride have had negative experiences with drag acts veering towards racism, misogyny and transphobia; the lack of contact with the drag community contributed.”
“We made a mistake, and we apologize.”
The group continued: “Drag is an art form, a form of expression and performance, a community with a rich history. The most useful comments and advice that we have been sent from around the world have been from trans people of color and working class trans people who support drag and have let us know that, without it, they might not have had access to trans/queer culture at all. We are extremely grateful to those individuals who have contacted us to explain this.
“Drag, like all forms of art and performance, can entertain us and challenge us. But it also has the capacity to perpetuate oppression such as misogyny, transphobia and racism. Free Pride is a safe and accessible space for all of us to join and celebrate.
“We hope to learn from this in order to foster the kind of community we want to see. We believe there is a greater need for dialogue within, and indeed between the trans and drag communities. We look forward to creating spaces where these dialogues take place with mutual compassion and respect.”
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