[ad_1]
Tens of thousands of people took to Dublin on Saturday afternoon to celebrate the Irish capital’s annual Pride parade, despite heavy rain falling throughout the day.
This year’s parade marks the 50th anniversary of the first Pride protest march held in Dublin in 1974.
Saturday’s event kicks off at O’Connell Street, across the River Liffey and ends at Merrion Square, where a Pride Village is set up with music, food and other festivities.
Belong To, an LGBTQ charity that gives a voice to young people in Ireland, was the overall marcher at Saturday’s parade in recognition of the organisation’s work.
Speaking at a Pride breakfast event before the parade, Belong To chief executive Moninne Griffith said Dublin Pride was an important day to celebrate diversity.
“For many young people, this is the first time they can proudly come out in public and celebrate their authentic selves with their community,” Griffith said at the Pride Breakfast, according to The Wall Street Journal.
She also said Pride parades are more important than ever due to the increase in hate crimes and anti-LGBTQ sentiment online and in public.
She said Saturday’s event was not only a celebration but also a reminder of the importance of the Irish government introducing hate speech legislation.
Griffiths also called on the Irish government to ban gender transitions, review the Gender Recognition Act and ensure that members of the transgender community have access to healthcare.
“In 2015, we were told it was safe to walk down the aisle, but now many in our community don’t feel safe walking down the street.” Griffith told The Wall Street Journal.
“Against this backdrop, Pride parades are even more important as they provide an opportunity for young LGBTQ+ people to come together and celebrate themselves and each other in a spirit of community and inclusion.”
Several high-profile government ministers, including Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman, also took part in Saturday’s Pride parade.
Glad to join #belong today #Dublin #pride pic.twitter.com/vq61PMrC1R
— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) June 29, 2024
Donnelly shared a video of himself dancing during the parade with Dublin’s new mayor James Geoghan, while O’Gorman shared photos of the parade on X (formerly Twitter).
“Today is a big day as we mark the 50th anniversary of Dublin’s first Pride parade. We have come a long way,” O’Gorman said on X.
Today is a significant day as we mark 50 years since the first Dublin Pride Parade. We have come a long way. From legislating for civil partnerships, to being the first country to vote for marriage equality, to introducing the Gender Recognition Bill. pic.twitter.com/XW5CkerGnF
— Roderic O’Gorman TD (@rodericogorman) June 29, 2024
Lindsay Marsden, who travelled from Carlow to attend the event to support her son Reece and his friends, told the Irish Independent it was important the event “promotes pride and equality for everyone”.
“When I was a teenager, homosexuality was illegal in Ireland. I’m proud of the progress Ireland has made in equality, not just for gay people, but for everyone.” Marsden told the Irish Independent.
“My son is free to love who he wants, marry who he wants and live a normal, happy life.
“For those who don’t support homosexuality, it’s important to see that they are normal people who are having fun every day.”
During Saturday’s march, a large number of marchers also displayed flags and symbols in support of Palestine and Ukraine.
[ad_2]
Source link
