Rainbow flag is hoisted over Stormont House for first time
A RAINBOW Pride flag has been raised at a Government building at Stormont for the first time.
It was raised beside Stormont House yesterday morning to mark Belfast’s Pride festival.
Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire gave the goahead for the symbolic move.
The move comes amid a long-running political dispute concerning the ban on same-sex marriage.
The issue is one of the sticking points preventing the return of a power-sharing administration, with Sinn Fein demanding that the DUP stop blocking a change to the law.
While Mr Brokenshire stressed that it was a matter for devolved ministers to resolve, he expressed hope a law change would materialise.
“I’m pleased to have authorised the flying of the Pride flag at Stormont House for the first time,” he said.
“Whilst policy on equal marriage is entirely a devolved matter for politicians within the Assembly, I voted in support of equal marriage in England and Wales and, like the Prime Min- ister, I hope that this can be extended to Northern Ireland in the future.”
The building is Mr Brokenshire’s base within the grounds of the wider Stormont estate, which also hosts the Assembly at Parliament Buildings and the Executive at Stormont Castle.
Belfast is set to stage its annual Pride parade this afternoon, with thousands of people expected to take part, as well as spectators.
The build-up begins at 11am, while the event itself is expected to begin at noon, with the parade leaving from Queen’s Square to travel along High Street, Bridge Street, Waring Street, Donegall Street and Royal Avenue to Donegall Place.
It will then return to Queen’s Square for dispersal at approximately 1.30pm.
A number of road closures will be in place during the event. Road users have been advised to expect traffic delays and avoid the city centre if possible.