Turning out for Belfast Pride

THE colourful and vibrant 2010 Gay Pride Parade in Belfast last month was actively supported by Ógra Shinn Féin and MEP Bairbre de Brún taking part.

The Belfast Pride parade, the biggest in Ireland, brought to a successful close a wide range of events that demonstrate pride but also aim to raise awareness and build respect and understanding of diversity, particularly for the LGBT community in Belfast.

The annual parade, which makes its way from Custom House Square through the centre of Belfast, was warmly greeted by thousands of shoppers on a busy summer Saturday.

Ógra Shinn Féin, the republican youth movement, carried a banner that read “Gay Rights are Human Rights - Respect Equality and Diversity.”

Ógra activist Barry McColgan said:

“Republicans could learn a lot from the very open, inclusive and participative carnival atmosphere at Pride.

“Belfast Pride was one of the most uplifting parades I have ever attended. You could feel the strong sense of community and solidarity events like these give the LGBT community. It is of huge credit to the festival organisers. 

“It is important for republicans - young and old, gay and straight - to demonstrate their solidarity with the LGBT community throughout Ireland and to promote the equality that we want to see as a cornerstone to a new Ireland.

“I believe our presence at this year’s Belfast Pride was a welcome step and we were warmly greeted but it is a challenge to us in the years ahead to broaden and build our engagements, support and solidarity for the LGBT community.”