Derry prepares for first Gay Pride
Published Friday, 27 August 2010
Londonderry's first ever Gay Pride parade takes place on Saturday and its organisers are saying the event is proof that the city has become a more tolerant place.
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The march will re-trace the steps of the October 1968 Civil Rights demonstration, travelling from Waterside Railway Station to the Guildhall.
Gay men have been targeted in homophobic hate crimes in the city in recent years and organisers say that, while they know attitudes won't be changed overnight, they are hopeful the city is moving forward.
Conor Kelly, who will be marching on Saturday, told UTV: "I think it's the right time now to have an on-the-streets presence to say: 'We're here, we're queer.'
"It's a celebration of the struggles of the past and how far we've got and how far Derry's come as well."
The focus of the parade is on stressing that Derry is a diverse society and that diversity can be a strength.
"Just the response that we've been getting this last couple of weeks on the streets shows that in Derry there has been a significant shift and the gay community is more accepted within this city now," said Wendy McCloskey from Foyle Pride.
After Derry's successful bid for 2013 UK City of Culture, Mayor Colum Eastwood says the city needs to celebrate all aspects of its culture, including its Gay and Lesbian communities.
"There have been issues - and there are issues in every other city surrounding homophobia and we should tackle them and tackle them head on," the Mayor said.
"Derry is going to be the UK City of Culture and this is a very, very important part of our culture that we should celebrate."
The Gay Pride parade begins on Saturday at 2pm at Waterside Railway Station in the city.