Today we’re announcing a third tour – our LGBTQ tour Edinburgh! This will go alongside our classic Potter tour and our Old Town tour. We’re excited about the addition of some vital stories to the great history of Edinburgh which right now seems relevant.
Two nights of the week the tour will run at a competitive price. On Fridays the tour will be run as a free tour / Pay What You Think It’s Worth.
The History
For a start, happy LGBTQ History Month. This is a yearly reminder of queer history, progress and present day role models. It was started in 1994 in the US by a high school teacher named Rodney Wilson. At first it was quite niche and specific to the community but with growing acceptance and tolerance it has become a celebration in 9 different countries. It is a yearly reminder that LGBTQ people have existed in some form for as long as humanity has and we deserve basic respect.
The response this year has been a little muted. There has been some response in Scotland but in other parts of the world the LGBTQ community is under attack. In the US, the memorial webpage for Stonewall was changed to try and remove trans people. Meanwhile worldwide there’s been an increase in intolerance. Slurs are returning to the playground. There’s still a lot of work to make the world a safer place to be LGBTQ
Why do an LGBTQ Tour now?
The reason we’ve decided to put this on now, with a free offering, is to pushback against the pushback. We will be telling the story of how Scotland, once one of the most homophobic countries in Western Europe, became one of the most tolerant. That’s a story with a continuing relevance. It’s a story of hope.
The free tour model is being used on Friday at 6pm.
You can help by spreading the word! Share the story that there is at least one tour guide who wants LGBTQ people to know we matter. This is what we are all about, building a tour company with a strong social ethos.
For more info, follow us on Instagram – which is mostly food and occasional dog pictures.
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