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02/08/2019
Thousands To Step Out In Pride
Around 60,000 people are expected to take to the streets of Belfast this weekend to celebrate Pride Day.
LGBT+ rights and marriage equality remain at the heart of political discourse in Northern Ireland, but representatives from across the community will step out in celebration on Saturday.
And in a first for the home of local government, the rainbow flag will fly from Belfast City Hall in support of the movement.
Kicking off at Custom House Square at 1pm, parade organisers are hoping to outdo last year's crowd totals of 55,000 people.
Ulster Rugby and the PSNI are among the organisations to be represented.
Welcoming the decision by Belfast City Council to fly the Pride flag, Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill reflected on the progress of the LGBT+ community so far.
"The prospect of the rainbow flag being flown from Belfast City Hall would have been unthinkable just a few years ago," the mid Ulster MLA commented.
"So the decision to mark Pride in this way is a powerful symbol of a changed and changing city and demonstrates how far we have come in the ongoing march to full equality."
Ms O'Neill encouraged locals to join the parade in a show of solidarity with the LGBT+ movement for marriage equality.
"Of course, we still have a long way to travel on that march," she continued. "That is why it is so important that we not only fly the flag, but we stand in solidarity at Saturday's Pride Festival.
"The Pride festival is one both of protest and one of celebration of our LGBTQI+ community.
"It is a fantastic opportunity to send a loud and colourful message that we stand against inequality and discrimination, that we stand for a society which values and cherishes all people and we stand for a society which is inclusive.
"The parade will be assembling at 1pm at Custom House Square and I would urge everyone who can to join us there."
(JG/CM)
LGBT+ rights and marriage equality remain at the heart of political discourse in Northern Ireland, but representatives from across the community will step out in celebration on Saturday.
And in a first for the home of local government, the rainbow flag will fly from Belfast City Hall in support of the movement.
Kicking off at Custom House Square at 1pm, parade organisers are hoping to outdo last year's crowd totals of 55,000 people.
Ulster Rugby and the PSNI are among the organisations to be represented.
Welcoming the decision by Belfast City Council to fly the Pride flag, Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill reflected on the progress of the LGBT+ community so far.
"The prospect of the rainbow flag being flown from Belfast City Hall would have been unthinkable just a few years ago," the mid Ulster MLA commented.
"So the decision to mark Pride in this way is a powerful symbol of a changed and changing city and demonstrates how far we have come in the ongoing march to full equality."
Ms O'Neill encouraged locals to join the parade in a show of solidarity with the LGBT+ movement for marriage equality.
"Of course, we still have a long way to travel on that march," she continued. "That is why it is so important that we not only fly the flag, but we stand in solidarity at Saturday's Pride Festival.
"The Pride festival is one both of protest and one of celebration of our LGBTQI+ community.
"It is a fantastic opportunity to send a loud and colourful message that we stand against inequality and discrimination, that we stand for a society which values and cherishes all people and we stand for a society which is inclusive.
"The parade will be assembling at 1pm at Custom House Square and I would urge everyone who can to join us there."
(JG/CM)
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Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister has expressed her "disappointment" over the PSNI's decision to not allow officers to participate in the Belfast Pride parade. Ms McAllister was speaking after the PSNI confirmed its officers would not be allowed to wear uniform while participating in the forthcoming Belfast Pride parade at the end of the month.
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North Belfast football club Crusaders have called for an end to union flag protests around their stadium, after a game against Cliftonville last Saturday was cancelled.
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St George's Rent Request Dismissed
Belfast City Council has turned down a request from St George's market traders for two months rent free to compensate for lost trade during Union Flag Protests. The traders have noted their disappointment but have welcomed the councils plans not increase stall fees for 2014. Free rent would have cost the council just over £65,000.
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Over 75% of people believe the union flag protests at Belfast City Hall should stop, according to the BBC. BBC Spotlight surveyed the public in an opinion poll on the continuing protests over the limiting of the flying of the union flag at City Hall. Belfast City Councillors voted on 3 December to restrict the flying of the flag to designated days.
75% Believe Flag Protests Should Stop
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27 June 2019
DUP Slammed Over Pride Flag Walkout
DUP Councillors have been slammed for their decision to walk out of a Causeway Coast and Glens meeting when the prospect of flying the Pride flag was raised.
DUP Slammed Over Pride Flag Walkout
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
