Xoko resolve to keep flying flag for LGBTQ+ community in Inverness city centre after further backlash to Pride display
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Xoko Bakehouse are resolving to stand firm after facing further backlash to their rainbow flag being flown in Inverness city centre.
Last weekend a man walked into the bakery and called the shop, their staff and their customers racist after seeing the Progress Pride flag – which incorporates stripes representing ethnic minorities – outside the shop.
He refused to leave until police were called, although on arrival officers said no crimes had been committed.
Co-owner Tristan Aitchison said that such incidents only strengthens their resolve to be visible in the Highland capital, and that they will keep proudly flying the flag going forward.
"There has already been a history of incidents regarding the flag that we fly, which was only meant to be up for Pride month," Mr Aitchison said.
"We kept it up for Highland Pride, and because there were incidents we decided to keep it up for the rest of the summer.
"We were about to take it down, but we'll keep flying it now. Why should we take it down? It has been great this summer, we've had a lot more people coming in – tourists and locals – because of the flag and because they see that we offer an inclusive space for everybody.
"There was a customer in here who thanked me for standing up to that guy, and asked if I was okay, so we're going to keep doing it.
"We're just trying to do something positive, and it's really tough because it's a really busy summer.
"It's really hard work, and it's just an extra added thing to deal with on top of trying to create a nice, hospitable environment for our customers and put on new product lines or whatever it is to provide the best experience we can at Xoko.
"Having to deal with this on top of everything else takes time out of our day when we're having to contact the police. We're going to continue flying the flag, and we'll see what happens next."
It is not the first time Xoko have been targeted for showing support for the LGBTQ+ community, as at the tail end of Pride month they had a previous flag ripped down, and for months have had people spitting on their window.
Knowing how to prevent similar incidents going forward is a difficult solution to find, but Mr Aitchison is hoping to receive advice on that front soon.
"The spitting started about four months ago, people would spit on the front windows of the shop," he recalled.
"Then it was at the end of June, or the start of July, that our flag was ripped down.
"Then on Sunday there was this incident – from a different point of view, it wasn't necessarily homophobic, but it was definitely slanderous.
"It was very uncomfortable for the staff and the customers that were here at the time, especially when he refused to leave.
"We're going to get in touch with Emma Roddick, the equalities minister, again. She has already given us support for flying the rainbow flag over the summer, so we'll contact her again and see what support she might be able to give.
"The police haven't really offered any support or advice on what we should do, or on how to keep our staff and our customers safe. That's probably our next step."
When approached for comment, a Police Scotland spokesperson said: "On Sunday, 20 August 2023, officers were made aware of a disturbance at a business premises on Bridge Street, Inverness. Advice and guidance was provided."
