A SCOTTISH councillor has caused “hurt and discomfort” after branding an LGBT+ march “controversial”.
South Kintyre councillor Tommy Macpherson, a former Conservative, caused a stir when he highlighted on a public community Facebook group his frustration with the route for the first Kintyre Pride Parade, which is set to take place on Saturday.
In capital letters, he titled the post “Controversial parade to start 100 yards from popular Campbeltown Playpark” which subsequently attracted hundreds of angry comments.
In the post he shared an exchange he had had with Argyll and Bute Council about a slight change to the assembly point for the first Kintyre Pride Parade, which he insisted residents had raised concerns with him about.
His description of the march sparked anger within the group as scores of residents questioned why he had labelled it “controversial”.
Rhiannan Brown posted: “What’s so controversial about it?
“Also can I ask why instead of emailing those with ‘concerns’ you choose to do it publicly?
“For all those with ‘concerns’ makes it even clearer why a pride march is needed.”
Donald McDougall added: “So disappointed to see this, shouldn’t even be a discussion. We all inhabit this earth regardless of sexuality, colour or creed on equal terms. Homophobia should have been abandoned years ago.”
Moyra Paterson added: “I can’t believe what I’m reading! Who would even ask these questions?”
Others were unhappy he was highlighting the proximity of the playpark in his post.
James McLellan posted: “What exactly are you implying by noting the proximity of the play park? What is your exact issue with that?”
Macpherson has now been forced into making a public apology on the Facebook group, though the organisers of the march have insisted it has not removed the “hurt or discomfort caused by associating the proximity of the play park and start of the parade”.
However, in a separate comment to The National he said he "did not support" the LGBT+ movement or the "non-binary gender identity-obsession presently sweeping British society".
He said there had been very little community awareness of the march or “meaningful engagement locally”. He said he used the word “controversial” in relation to “requests for representation on behalf of numerous Kintyre constituents”.
“It has been made very apparent that I have caused individuals worry and anguish, for which I unreservedly apologise,” he added.
Organisers have, however, put out a statement suggesting they are not happy with his apology, insisting he has insinuated the LGBT+ community is a “danger” to children.
Kintyre Pride said on the Facebook group: “We acknowledge that Cllr Tommy MacPherson has publicly apologised through another post on The Wee Toon Community Noticeboard but are concerned when he states that he believes people’s sexuality and gender identity should be respected and protected but his actions say different.
“The apology post does not clear up any hurt or discomfort caused by associating the proximity of the play park and start of the parade. The clear insinuation here being that members of the LGBT+ community are a danger to children using the play park.
“Thankfully, Cllr Macpherson has cleared up any concern and demonstrated, through the emails he added onto his posts, that the Kintyre Pride committee did follow the correct protocol when applying for permission to have the parade and subsequently when we changed the route.
“Cllr Macpherson may have preferred that we had approached this differently but can’t deny that it was completed according to the guidelines.”
“As such there is only a requirement to consult with police, Transport Scotland, and the council’s road services who have now advised that they have no issues or concerns with the changes,” the council said in an email to MacPherson.
Macpherson caused a number of complaints to be sent to the council last year after he posted Islam has “at its core a fanatical hatred of Jews and Western society” on social media.
He used his council Facebook page in December 2023 to post: “It is my belief Islam has at its core a fanatical hatred of Jews and Western society and we are, through our weak, woke, political correctness, which is absolute blind stupidity on our part, willingly importing it.
“That is my opinion, my belief, neither ignorant nor naive. I consider myself a patriot, proud of our national and cultural identity; fairness, orderliness, inclusiveness and respect for social norms. There is no shame."
Complaints have apparently also been sent to the Ethical Standards Commissioner (ESC) about Macpherson’s latest post concerning the Kintyre Pride Parade.
Macpherson said: "I vehemently support the right to freedom of expression. I consider public procession a key component of that right.
"My personal thoughts, at the time of application, were what support other than simple tolerance is being asked of me - nothing. At that time, I believed this to be a respectable and rational position.
"What I do not subscribe to is this non-binary gender identity-obsession presently sweeping British society. I do not support the LGBTQ+ movement, yet neither do I hold any contempt towards those who are part of the movement because of their sexual orientation.
"Having had numerous representations from residents, albeit from mid-February, I contest that the organisers did the least amount necessary - the bare minimum in community engagement and raising wider awareness.
"We have a duty to protect our children and young people to ideas and ideals centred around sexuality - a line must be drawn between education and learning and unnecessary exposure and experiences."
