The community of Sukkat Shalom Edinburgh turned out in force to march in Edinburgh Pride last weekend, after holding a well-attended Pride service the evening before.

Rabbi Mark Solomon (pictured left) had designed a new Pride banner for the congregation, with the traditional rainbow flag incorporating a Magen David with the white, pink and blue stripes of the trans flag and the black and brown symbolising LGBTQI+ people of colour.

He said: “We marched with the banner, singing Hevenu Shalom Aleichem, and attracted lots of cheers and favourable interest.

“Among the people joining us on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile were a visiting Reconstructionist Rabbi from Philadelphia, her wife and children.

“It was both a joyous celebration and a protest against the rising tide of homophobia and transphobia in many parts of the world.”

As part of Pride Month, Progressive congregations around the country are holding services and taking part in local and national events. We also asked rabbis from Liberal and Reform Judaism to explain why Pride is so important – you can read a selection of their replies here.