ORGANISERS of a new Pride event for Glasgow have revealed both the date of the celebration and some bold ambitions.

The LGBT Co-operative will hold Mardi Gla - Glasgow's Pride on July 20 and claim it will become the second biggest Pride event in the UK. second only to London.

To be held on July 20, there will be a parade from Kelvingrove Park through the city to George Square and then the Mardi Gla event will be on the streets of the Merchant City.

Will Labate, chairman of the LGBT Co-op, said: "As an American and Italian citizen and now proud to be a Glaswegian, I am delighted that our board will confirm that we are moving ahead with Mardi Gla – Glasgow’s Pride on July 20. "I hope to bring a bit of the flair and vision from my other home city, New York, to Glasgow in Stonewall's 50th year.

"This will be an opportunity to show what an international city Glasgow has grown into, with love, respect and equality flowing through our streets just as it has always done through the Clyde.”

The LGBT Co-operative will hold a board meeting on Sunday where plans are expected to be formally agreed.

They claim Mardi Gla will become the biggest free LGBT event in the UK second only to London.

Organisers also sayMardi Gla will be the largest LGBT event to be staged in Scotland this year with thousands of people expected to attend.

Euan McLeod, Executive Director at the LGBT Co-op, added: "We will now begin planning in earnest for a fantastic event in Glasgow marking the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York and working closely with key stakeholders, the city council and our communities.

"We urge everyone to get July 20 in the diary for what will be the largest LGBT+ gathering that Scotland has ever seen.”

The LGBT Co-op conducted a community consultation event at the Scottish Youth Theatre at the end of January.