Pride Saltire 2021: Organisers plan online LGBTQ+ event to pay tribute to founder John Johnston after Covid cancels this years celebration

Founder and chair of the organisation John Johnston died suddenly last year, and his friends have been working hard to keep Pride Saltire going.

In a statement on their social media they wrote: “We’re all keen that the foundation that he created builds into a positive legacy.”

"Due to the ongoing Covid situation and advice from the Scottish Government, it hasn’t been possible for Pride Saltire Eat Lothian to organise a live event this year.

"However, we felt a need to celebrate John’s life, especially as most of us didn’t get the opportunity to say goodbye to him properly.

"In addition we’d like Pride Saltire to reconnect with the LGBTQ+ community of East Lothian and its allies as we approach the Pride month of June.”

On Saturday, May 22, the organisation will be sharing video clips on social media from their last Pride celebration in 2019 that took place at Cockenzie House and Gardens saying: “we’d like people to remember all the great work that John did in organising that event and bringing the whole community together.”

The pride flag will also be flown over East Lothian Council offices in Haddinton as well as the Brunton Theatre in Musselburgh to coincide with the online event as confirmed by Provost John McMillan and with the support of Councillor Shamin Akhtar.

The statement concludes: “This was an aim of John’s and he’d be thrilled to know that this was going to happen.”

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