A COWDENBEATH man is playing an important role in the organisation of the first LGBT Pride event in Fife and he and his colleagues are celebrating after a big funding boost was confirmed on Wednesday.

£10,000 has been donated by Big Lottery Fund Scotland towards Fife Pride in Kirkcaldy on Saturday July.

And its been a week of big announcements for the team behind Scotland’s newest Pride, with headline acts

Tina Cousins, Kym Mazelle and Lloyd Daniels all being confirmed to appear in the Fife town in a reveal live on

Fife’s Kingdom FM on Thursday morning.

Cowdenbeath's Stuart Duffy, chairperson of the Pride committee, told us:

“We’re so excited to announce our plans at last – it’s been hard work to organise and plan for, but with the Big Lottery Fund behind us, together with significant support from Fife Council, it’ll be a fantastic event for everyone.

"We want people to be proud of who they are – just come along and have a great day, there’s no stigma or prejudice here. Our campaign hashtag for the event is #BeProudBeYou and we mean it.”

Fife Pride starts with a parade along Kirkcaldy High Street from 1pm in a colourful display of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender culture. A full day of entertainment awaits at Kirkcaldy Town Square after the parade, with musical acts, comedy and community stalls in the Pride marquee until 8pm.

A special Youth & Family Zone and a Quiet Area, for those who want some time away from the music, is also being arranged. A new website has also been launched which will carry information and updates about Pride at www.fifepride.co.uk and the event will be hosted all day by infamous Dunfermline drag queen, Nancy Clench!

The Pride committee, made up of volunteers and led by a charity partnership between Fife-based Pink Saltire and Fife Centre for Equalities, have now raised nearly £18,000 in under a year for their first annual Pride march and festival.

Fife Council earlier donated £4500 from the local community planning budget in Kirkcaldy and Chief Executive, Steve Grimmond, said: “The Council is committed to providing fair and accessible services, and promoting equality for all members of the community - and our own workforce.

"We recognise and respect the diversity of our citizens, and welcome events like Fife Pride which openly celebrate that diversity. We’re pleased to have contributed funding to what I hope will be a successful and enjoyable day for all.”

Fife Pride is only the 4th event of its kind across Scotland, with other events being organised in Glasgow, Edinburgh and West Lothian each summer.