A TOUR DE FORCES...
CAPITAL BRIMMING WITH PRIDE IN CELEBRATION OF EQUALITY
Thousands take to the streets & unite for parade
THOUSANDS of people turned out and transformed the streets rainbow bright for the Pride Parade in Dublin yesterday. The parade started in St Stephen’s Green and saw members of the Defence Forces marching in uniform for the first time. One soldier said: “It’s the first time in history that the Defence Forces have been allowed to march in uniform and show how proud we are of the Defence Forces and each other. “We want to show the world and Ireland that we are inclusive.” The theme of this year’s event was ‘We are Family’. Former President Mary Mcaleese and Minister for Children Katherine Zappone also took part. The event was two weeks after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar issued an apology to those prosecuted before homosexuality was decriminalised in 1993. Speaking in the Dail earlier this month he paid tribute to “the thousands of people whose names we do not know, who were criminalised by our forbears”.
Fianna Fail spokesperson on Education Thomas Byrne TD expressed his support for LGBT+ teachers ahead of the parade.
He said: “I was concerned during the week at reports that some LGBT+ teachers still feel that they are unable to be open about their sexuality. “Such a situation is just not acceptable in the Ireland of 2018 and I want to assure any teachers who feel this way that I, and the party I represent, are completely on their side. “The LGBT+ community will be celebrating this weekend and I hope that all Irish people can share in their joy. I want to express my support and my commitment to ensuring that in all schools LGBT+ teachers can be themselves.” Meanwhile, LGBTQ+ activists spoke out ahead of the Pope’s visit calling on t h e church to quit their messages of indifference and the “often blatant homophobic remarks to their followers and the public”. When the parade finished, venues across the city were putting on special after parade celebrations including The George, Panti Bar and Underground Venue. news@irishmirror.ie Minister Simon Harris and garda at event