AN ARRAN man has been presented with an award for his role in creating the island’s Pride celebrations.
Michael Gettins received Age Scotland’s Inspiration Award for organising the first Pride event in Arran in 2023.
Michael wanted to start the event to bring people together and alleviate the risk of isolation, mental ill health, addiction issues and suicide among LGBTQ+ communities.
He said: “I am still fairly baffled at why my name would be submitted, let alone be considered or worse still anything like receive an Inspiration Award is still a puzzle.
"In reality, I wake up each day wondering ‘who can I help today’ and have been blessed with many fantastic opportunities to bring my skills, experience, values and ambitions to some fruitful use.
“To be honest, I am incredibly humbled that people would think what I do is worthy of merit. I love working with people, I learn so much and thrive on making things a little better.
"I've always said, ‘I wish I could measure smiles’ and am delighted to say I have seen many and hope to see many more.”
This year’s event got more than 300 people to take part, who lined the streets in support of the community.
Alongside the parade, 27 local businesses took part in the best dressed window competition, showing their support for the LGBTQ+ community.
To prepare for Pride, Michael worked to engage followers on social media through the Scottish and UK Pride network to encourage them to recognise Arran as a warm and welcoming community.
The parade was escorted by three e-bikes, highlighting the ambition to be greener, and mobility scooters for those with mobility issues to allow more older people to take part.
Katherine Crawford, chief executive of Age Scotland, said: “Michael created an event that is both inclusive and celebratory, and has brought the whole community together in support of LGBTQ+ people of all ages.
"In a very short time, Michael generated partnerships with a range of organisations to ensure that everyone feels welcome on the day, which has become a highlight of the island’s summer calendar.
“He put in extra effort to bring older people on board, by sharing his experiences and making older members of the LGBTQ+ community in Arran part of the parade. Congratulations to Michael, a very worthy winner of our Inspiration Award.”
Michael is a member of Age Scotland’s LGBTQ+ Older People’s Group which tried to involve older people by leading equality and inclusion workshops in local wellbeing cafes.
He worked with multiple partner organisations that included local authorities, the health board, the Equality Network, Police Scotland, the Terence Higgins Trust and local businesses.
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