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Full approval granted for Belfast gay pride parade

Friday, 25 July 2008

The Parades Commission has approved next weekend's gay pride march in Belfast without restrictions.

However, the organisers have been urged to ensure there will be no repeat of the controversy surrounding last year's event, when a participant displayed a placard bearing the words "Jesus is a fag".

The Parades Commission has decided not to restrict the march despite a number of objections from the public.

It has also decided not to restrict religious protests that are expected to be staged along the parade route.

The march comes amid ongoing controversy over a series of anti-gay remarks made by DUP MP Iris Robinson, a born-again Christian.

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What close minded views some people are expressing.

I'm not even gay! It's just a nice and fun day out for me and all my friends!

Let the religious protests happen, no one involved in the Gay Pride parade even cares, we know we're better.
We just want to celebrate the freedom of sexuality and anyone who stands there to try to tell the people in that parade that they're doing something wrong? Need their heads examined.

Christians have plenty of holidays, were they get to celebrate what they believe in, i.e. Christmas/Easter etc, so why not let the Homosexuals in Belfast do the same?

Whatever happened to freedom of speech and expression and all that?

BRING ON PRIDE 09

Posted by Becky | 29.03.09, 13:35 GMT

I think Gay pride paints a tainted perspective to how morals should be conducted to the youth in our streets.
Soon the child will not know who mummy OR daddy are really. No way would i EVER support such a thing, out of conscience sake, and my childs.

Posted by Mark o'(Moral) | 31.07.08, 16:10 GMT

Ireland, including what is termed the Province of Northern Ireland, has for centuries been steeped in romantic folklore about saints, leprechauns, banshees and fairies. So, it is only fitting that the renovated city of Belfast should be proud of still another romantic Irish group. the Gays, to hold a parade there. Oscar Wilde and Sir Roger Casement were both gay and made Ireland proud for their contributions to literature and patriotism. Congratulations to Belfast for its progressive stance.

Posted by Jim Guinnessey | 27.07.08, 13:07 GMT

Homosexuals, like the rest of us, have a moral duty to try and avoid serious sins, like sodomy.

Posted by John | 26.07.08, 21:44 GMT

As one who met the Parades Commission to ensure that The Pride parade would abide by the Guidelines of 2005 following the serious breach last year where the Lord Jesus was insulted and blasphemed, it is time to recognise that the Christian population has rights also and that our sovereign God is not mocked. Righteousness Exalteth a Nation but sin is a reproach unto any people Proverbs 14 v 34

Posted by Reformer1517 | 26.07.08, 17:57 GMT

I, a straight man, will definitely be attending this year's event with many of my friends to show that we need to put an end to the sentiments expressed by Iris Robinson!

Posted by Sean O'Rourke | 26.07.08, 00:03 GMT

Fully support Amanda's comments. Why is it necessary to demonstrate your sexuallity in public. As for the so called 'Gay community', this phrase gets on my nerves. Is there a ginger community, bald community or bmw driving community?
Community is a word that is over used by people trying to look important. What a person does in the privacy of their own home and with consenting adults is there own business, just don't have a parade to let everyone else know.

Posted by Rodger the dodger | 25.07.08, 20:07 GMT

Gee Amanda, I wish there was no NEED for a Gay Pride March eather...... BUT when the straight pride march... Opps Boston St. Patricks Day parade, says Gay Irish Groups CAN'T march... We have to do something!
and come to think of it.... what parade is NOT a "Straight" Pride March?

Posted by Joe Cote, Oakland, CA | 25.07.08, 18:58 GMT

Amanda - every day is a 'straight pride' day. Heterosexuals can walk in Belfast holding hands, cuddling and showing affection every day. Homosexuals cannot do this without harrassment, abuse or attack. That is why there is a need for a gay pride parade - can you not give the homosexual community one day to express themselves?

Posted by Brian | 25.07.08, 17:52 GMT

As an openly gay man who has never attended a gay pride march in my life (and I've been 'out' for 25 years) I'm sure as hell going to be at this one - simply to get the message across to Iris - that we're here, we're queer and we're here to stay!

Posted by Terry | 25.07.08, 14:07 GMT

I do wish that there was no need for "gay pride" marches - we don't often see "straight pride" marches and yet I'm sure the heterosexual among us are content to be as they are.

Posted by Amanda | 25.07.08, 13:24 GMT