Hundreds of people joined in the Pride celebrations in Newry on Saturday, the streets awash with colour and cheer as the annual LGBTQ Pride Parade wound its way through the city.
Events also included an outdoor concert and children’s funfair, and culminated in the Pride Ball, held in Bellini’s.
Local politicans praised the organisers and those who came out to support the day’s events.
Sinn Fein’s Megan Fearon said: “It was great to see …a wonderful display of unity and determination to win the fight for equality of opportunity under the law. That means equality for all our citizens, but particularly for our LGBTQ brothers and sisters.”
Ms Fearon described it as “a disgrace” that the right to marriage equality is still being denied.
“The vibrant, colourful and loud message from today’s Newry Pride parade is that the ‘north is next’ and Sinn Féin will continue to campaign to ensure that this becomes a reality,” she added.
SDLP councillor Pete Byrne used the opportunity to call for a greater understanding and acceptance for the LGBT community.
“‘Visibility for the LGBT community has never been more important, by simply being seen and heard we allow for greater understanding and acceptance in our society. We must continue to foster a place which allows people to live authentically. While the fight continues for equality under the law, we all have a responsibility to ensure the inclusion of our LGBT brothers and sisters in society,” he said.
