Subscribe to the News Feed Newsback to News

Saturday, 31 July 2010

Thousands attend Belfast Gay Pride

Thousands at Gay Pride parade in Belfast

The annual Gay Pride parade passed through Belfast city centre on Saturday afternoon as thousands of revellers and supporters lined the streets to take part.

We’re sorry. This video is unavailable from your location.

Carnival atmosphere
City pride

Shops emptied as the colourful parade, now in its 20th year, made its way from Custom House Square to the City Hall.

For the first time representatives from a group connected to the Church Of Ireland took part.

"This is the first time we have had three ministers walking with our clerical collars on," said Rev Chris Hudson from Changing Attitude Ireland.

"We want to make our position very clear - that is that we believe that gay and lesbian people are entitled to express their sexuality and their Christianity."

The Belfast parade, which followed an 'outer space' theme this year, has become one of the biggest Pride celebrations in Ireland. It brings to a close a week of events.

The Parades Commission met with organisers and members of groups opposed to the weekend procession.

It subsequently decided that no restrictions should be enforced.

"We respect the views of those who are organizing the Pride parade and those who wish to express their opposition," a spokesperson for the Commission said.

"It is very clear to us that the Belfast Pride parade is a welcome addition to the city and it is a colourful and positive celebration of all lifestyles which co-exist.

"The Parades Commission is confident that this event can be a positive experience for Belfast."

A small number of protestors, including the Reverend David McIlveen from Sandown Free Presbyterian Church held a counter-demonstration at City Hall during the afternoon.

Celebrations are set to continue on Saturday night at Custom House Square and at pubs and clubs across the city.

Send to a friend

Email To
Your Name
Comment

Comments

34 Comments

At 11:32 on 05 August 2011, William wrote:

Take your eyes away from your bible for a while and open your mind to carnage and persecution that is the true history of Christianity. If this truth hurts you, or is to difficult to accept or understand, bury your face back in those pages and be as you are. We will not hate you for it.

At 10:15 on 04 August 2011, Frankie wrote:

Gay Sexuality is not a lifestyle choice whether being gay is something you are born with or something brought about by social circumstances it does not matter it is not something that can be changed. A gay person is just as much an individual to be valued as anyone else. I have found large sections of Northern Ireland society to be accepting and affirming the only people who are not and who seem to work very hard to encourage homophobia are people from certain churches who really should be doing what jesus would do and show love. I am gay and know God loves me as I am and thats all that matters to me.

At 18:41 on 02 August 2011, EDWARD DUFF wrote:

GAY PRIDE IS AN ABOMINATION IN GOD'S SIGHT. (GOD SAYS SO IN LEVITICUS 18 V 22) FOR GOODNESS SAKE REPENT BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE. WOE UNTO THE PASTORS THAT DESTROY AND SCATTER THE SHEEP OF MY PASTURE! SAITH THE LORD. JEREMIAH 23 V 1

At 18:28 on 15 September 2010, Cazzicle wrote:

I loved this years Gay Pride. To me there were way more than there were last year and I actually saw young kids running around! I find that amazing, the thought that there'll be kids able to grow up with an accepting attitude is a relief!! I'm actually straight, but I was there to support all my gay/lesbian/bisexual friends! Gay Pride isn't all about Gay Rights, it's all about having the right to love =)

At 04:21 on 05 August 2010, Andy wrote:

BIG ERNEST - I don't need the 10 commandments to tell me not to steal, murder,lie,cheat on my BOYFRIEND or to respect my parents...and the old fools can stand there as long as they like...with a combined age of around 500yo , I daresay the pride parade will be around a hell of a lot longer than they will...and they will like you, go to their grave as biggoted old dinosaurs....good riddence to the lot of ya's...Northern Ireland has moved on and thankfully people like you have been left behind in the trail of dust.

At 20:24 on 04 August 2010, republican wrote:

@BE, that response to me has to be the most childish i've ever read. you're protesting about gay people too much fella, have you something to tell us ernie?

At 12:40 on 04 August 2010, BIG ERNEST wrote:

andy , those old foolsd you refer to in front of the city hall are preaching the gospel , gods word , i dont think they preach to themselves 1 day a year , maybe you come out of the closet 1 day a year is more the thinking , they have every right to express their moral objections , it is said in the bible that it is a sin , maybe your in the wrong SEEING AS THE 10 COMMANDMENTS ARE STILL IN PRACTICE , have you ever thought of that ?