Wind farm developer SSE Renewables backs inaugural community event
Prominent Scottish drag queens Lily Minogue and RuJazzle were in Central Glasgow this week to mark the start of their journey to Shetland for the islands’ first ever Pride Festival which takes place this Saturday.
The popular entertainers are being taken to the Island for what will be the most northerly Pride Festival in the United Kingdom by SSE Renewables, the developer of Viking Energy Wind Farm.
The renewable energy developer is one of several sponsors who were approached by organisers to help the new festival which will welcome hundreds of people including visitors from elsewhere in Scotland, Sweden and even Australia.
Lily said: “It is a real honour to be asked to perform at Shetland’s first ever Pride Festival. Drag Queens don’t travel light, so we’re making our way to Aberdeen and taking the ferry overnight. I can’t wait to take part in the Parade and the evening’s entertainment, and I know that a warm Shetland welcome awaits us.”
RuJazzle said: “I’m beyond excited to be performing at what will be the UK’s most northerly Pride Festival. It’s an opportunity to put on a show and have a lot of fun but also to show Shetland, Scotland and the world that all LGBTQ+ people should be welcome in our communities whether that be at home, school, college or the workplace.”
Kerrie Meyer, founder of Shetland Pride has been planning Shetland Pride for over a year. She said: “It is great to see one of Shetland’s most prominent employers stepping up to support not only getting our headliners to the festival but also vital marketing to let people throughout Shetland know that our islands’ first ever Pride Festival is taking place.
“Promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity is at the heart of the festival and we’re pleased to see SSE Renewables and Viking Energy Wind Farm supporting the LGBTQ+ community in Shetland.”
“Folk are very kind and supportive in Shetland, but the idea of our Pride that joins 27 other Pride’s in Scotland, is to show the whole community we not only exist and are here to stay, but we share the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.
Community Engagement Manager Julie Graham for SSE Renewables and Viking Energy Wind Farm said: “We are overjoyed to be supporting and taking part in Shetland’s first ever Pride Festival. As one of the island’s biggest employers, it is important to let our colleagues and the wider community know that we support everyone in the LGBTQ+ community and that everyone should have the right to bringtheir whole selves to work and be the best that they can be.
“This weekend’s Pride Festival will no doubt be a lot of fun, but it is also an important opportunity for everyone in Shetland, from companies like ours to individuals in the community to celebrate the diversity and inclusion of all.”
For more information on Shetland Pride visit ShetlandPride.UK.
Viking Energy Wind Farm supports community initiatives throughout Shetland and across the year. For more information visit vikingenergy.co.uk.