Every other major city in the UK has this - and for too long Inverness has been (and still is) stuck in the past. Many young people end up moving away from Inverness because of its lack of modern culture and lack of acceptance of anything remotely different from the “norm”.

This has been apparent for many years, but I have been specifically outraged more recently by the publicised petition against the Pride parade this week - as have many others.

I hope that the highland council will allow the parade to go forward and embrace the people who live here for who they are - and not alienate them further by stopping this from happening. It is unfair. I hope to prove this by showing from the petition that so many Inverness citizens are in favour of this event and support them. We are all equal beings.

The voices of a few should not reflect on the city as a whole and everyone should be made to feel welcome here.

The pride parade is an amazing and friendly celebration of culture, and it would be a huge step forward for Inverness if the Highland council allow them to have the parade.