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The LGBT Co-operative have announced that they will run the countries first Pride to be operated as a Co-op in Glasgow this summer.

Mardi Gla – Glasgow’s Pride, will bring together members of the LGBT community working in cooperation to remember the struggles that many people faced and also look to the future as Scotland continues to become more diverse.

Glasgow Live understands it will be a two-day event, taking place in the Merchant City.

Will Labate, Chair of the LGBT Co-op said: “The LGBT Co-op has been formed due to the growing frustration with the lack of services available in Glasgow and Scotland for those who are LGBT. In the spirit of the Co-operative movement of working together in a mutual fashion we shall seek to empower individuals and small groups to grow capacity and ensure our voices are heard.

"I am delighted that our board has decided to move ahead with the UK’s first Co-operative Pride here in Glasgow and look forward to setting out our plans at our drop in event.”

The Pride movement grew out of the stonewall riots in New York 50 years ago, where a small group of activists decided enough was enough and organised against the City Government and the NYPD. Mardi Gla will focus on the 50th anniversary of Stonewall as part of the cultural offerings of the event.

In tribute to those that stood up for people who are LGBT, Mardi Gla will be a free event in the Merchant City to allow everyone the chance to participate whether Gay or Straight and has no links to the current Pride Glasgow festival.

The LGBT Co-op has undertaken months of consultations with members of the community, third sector groups and the City Council asking what they would like to see the future of Pride as and these plans will be launched at the Scottish Youth Theatre on Wednesday the 30th of January in a drop in session between 3-8pm where details of a new Pride for Glasgow will be revealed.

Euan McLeod, Executive Director of the LGBT Co-op added: “It has been a turbulent year for the Pride movement in Glasgow and the call for a new kind of event moving forward has been vast. We hope that many people are able to attend our launch event to see our ambitious plans as we make Glasgow Proud of her LGBT communities.

A Co-operative Pride in Glasgow will ensure that the community have a real say over the running of the event and the opportunity to take part in the democratic structures of the Co-op which elects one third of our Directors annually. This makes us one of the most democratic LGBT organisations in the UK”