June 17, 1995 was a real landmark occasion, as it was the day Scotland’s capital conquered prejudice with a resounding display of Pride, as more than 3,000 people triumphantly marched together from Broughton Street to the Meadows via Princes Street.
Fast forward to today, and the longest-running LGBTQIA+ celebration in Scotland has grown massively since 1995. This year’s event is a weekend-long affair, which includes the annual march through the streets of Edinburgh on Saturday, June 21.
As thousands of people gather to celebrate diversity, we look back to that first ever Pride march in the city. Take a look through our photo gallery for a nostalgic trip back to 1995 – and let us know your own memories in the comments section before you go.
5. Largest Pride march
While there had been a string of gay pride rallies and marches in the Eighties and Nineties, never before had Scotland’s LGBT community been united in such a way and in such large numbers. Photo: Equality Network
6. Show of Pride
Homosexuality had remained a crime until 1980, and this was Scotland’s chance to show how far it come in terms of achieving equality. Photo: Hamish Campbell
7. Broughton Place
The march began near the LGBT Centre at Broughton Street. Photo: Equality Network
8. Official logo
The event was the brainchild of Edinburgh University students Laura Norris and Duncan Hothersall, who were keen to emulate the incredible success of the Pride movement south of the border. Photo: Equality Network