No restrictions for Belfast’s gay parade 2009
It has been announced that there will be no restrictions on this years gay parade which will take place in Belfast on Saturday. Nevertheless it is still expected that religious groups who oppose the parade will show up to picket and protest at the event.
This is the second consecutive year that the Northern Ireland Parades Commission has not put restrictions on the parade.
Organisers gave assurances on Monday to the quango over stewarding as well as to the behaviour of all the people participating in the event.
Two years ago there was much controversy when a person involved in the parade carried a sign which Christians found highly offensive.
Rena Shepherd the chairwoman of the Parades Commission said “We respect the views of those who are organising the Pride parade and those who wish to express their opposition,”and “Just as with any other parade where there is disagreement the commission believes it is paramount that all concerned treat each other with respect and show tolerance towards the view of wider society.” “We welcome the assurances we have received in regards to the stewarding of the parade and the general conduct of the participants.”
The chairwoman also stated that the gay pride parade in Belfast was a “welcome addition to the city and it is a colourful and positive celebration of all lifestyles which co-exist in Belfast”.
Thanks to BBC news for the above quotes, for more on this story visit their website at http://news.bbc.co.uk