Taking place on the village green just outside the Tannahill Centre from 2pm on Friday, 25th June 2021, the event will demonstrate the support Ferguslie Park has for its LGBT+ community.

Both organisations have signed up to participate in the LGBT Charter aimed at making organisations more welcoming and inclusive to people from the LGBT+ community, and their Pride Picnic event, taking place on Friday is the first of a number of initiatives that both organisations will be undertaking as part of the LGBT+ Charter process over the coming year.

As well as free food and refreshments there will be a wide range of activities for the whole family including rainbow crafts, karaoke, community bingo and an affirmation station where people can write down what Pride means to them.

Bobbie McCabe, volunteer co-ordinator, said: “The feedback we’ve had from the community so far has been amazing. Everyone is wanting to come out and to demonstrate their support for the LGBT+ members of Ferguslie and the wider community, as they know that it can often be difficult coming out or just being yourself in such a small close-knit community.

“This support has also extended to other groups and organisations who also want to get involved. As well as the Tannahill Centre and Ferguslie Park Housing Association, local volunteers the Darkwood Crew will be organising community bingo with pride themed prizes, whilst YoMo, a youth empowerment charity will be working with local young people to run a rainbow craft station.

“We are so pleased to be running Ferguslie Park’s first Pride Event, and we hope it becomes one of our many annual events celebrating the local communities rich diversity. We’ve put a number of measures in place to ensure the event is COVID-safe and compliant with the Scottish Government’s guidance on outdoor events – so it will very much be a safe as well as fun event for the whole family!”