Sailors and Royal Marines from Faslane showed their support for the LGBT+ community by marching at Pride in Glasgow last weekend.
The Royal Navy has been taking part in Pride events since 2006 and this year marks ten years since all three of the UK’s armed forces and defence civilians have taken part in events around the country.
The parade started at Clyde Place at midday and the naval contingent took their place amongst the thousands who marched through Glasgow city centre, making their way to the finish at Kelvingrove Park, where the Pride Glasgow Festival took place.
This year, to mark the Year of the Young Person, the march was led by young LGBT+ people and politicians from across Scotland mixed with a range of colourful floats and walking groups, alongside members of the public, all there to highlight the need for fairness and equality across Scotland, the UK and the rest of the world.
Sub Lieutenant Annabel Sykes, 28, from West Yorkshire, is a junior logistics officer at the naval base and was attending Pride Glasgow for the first time.
She said: “I think it is important that we have visible role models in the work place. Whilst it might not seem important to be “out” in an office full of straight people, at some time in the future I could be a divisional officer for a young person who isn’t out, or unsure of their sexuality.
“Being a visible, confident and proud gay woman in everyday life is therefore a good habit to get into.”
The Royal Navy was the first defence organisation to join Stonewall as a Diversity Champion in 2005 and is now a top 100 employer in the 2018 Workplace Equality Index.
Colonel Tony De Reya, Commanding Officer of 43 Commando Royal Marines, and recently appointed senior diversity advocate at HM Naval Base Clyde, attended the parade.
He said: “I’m proud to be an ally of Compass, the Royal Navy’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identification Network group and I’m delighted to be here at Glasgow Pride, It’s a great event
“It’s a real privilege to march alongside my Royal Navy and Royal Marines colleagues to celebrate the rich diversity of those who choose to serve across the Royal Navy
“For me, this is about sending a message, supporting our people in all their fabulous diversity, harnessing their incredible talent to build brilliant teams and letting those interested in the Royal Navy know this is a great place to work whatever anyone’s gender, sexual orientation, race or ethnic background.”
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