Belfast Pride

What has changed that the PSNI are nervous to be seen at an event they supported in the past?

Andrew Cunning on July 18, 2023, 11:00 am

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The recent statement from Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton on the PSNI Executive Team’s decision to prevent its officers from walking in uniform during Belfast Pride, leaves some unanswered questions. The fact we can guess the answers to these questions does not mean they should not still be asked. Firstly, he makes the point that there are “clear expectations for all officers and staff in terms of our impartiality and prohibit officers from wearing their uniform or being identifiable as …

Trans Rights are Human Rights – Ellen Murray’s Amnesty NI lecture at Belfast Pride

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on August 13, 2019, 9:30 am

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Read or watch back Ellen Murray’s lecture (delivered on Tuesday 30 July as part of Belfast Pride). Under the title ‘Trans Rights are Human Rights’, she examined the international context, foreign opinion on the “worrying” state of public discourse in the UK, the shared history with disabled rights struggles, as well as healthcare, welfare of children, women’s rights and her hopes for trans rights in Northern Ireland.

Mike Nesbitt “You cannot watch that Parade and not be moved to join the groundswell for a new, modern, pluralist, inclusive Northern Ireland”

Soapbox on August 6, 2018, 3:19 pm

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Former UUP Leader, Mike Nesbitt was at the Belfast Pride march on Saturday and we asked him for some thoughts on the parade. What struck me about Pride 2018 was its air of relaxed confidence. It’s a while since I have observed a Belfast Pride Parade in any great depth and the change is remarkable. Back in the early days, it seemed to me many taking part felt a need to force themselves and their issues on the agenda with …

So when can we get married? An update on the campaign for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland

Ciaran Moynagh on August 3, 2018, 7:46 pm

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We are coming to the end of another packed and exciting Pride week in Belfast. I’ve been struck by how many rainbow flags are billowing in the wind across Belfast city centre. From small newsagents to bars to coffee shops – it seems to me there are many more than previous years. I’m taking it as a sign of progress. I love Pride week, because it is the time of year when we hear the voices of people we don’t …

Ged Killen: “This is personal. Your rights are my rights. An injury to one, is an injury all.”

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on August 3, 2018, 10:42 am

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Watch back or read Ged Killen MP’s lecture for Amnesty NI as part of Belfast Pride, delivered on Thursday evening at Queen’s University. Speaking on ‘Marriage Equality – Winning at Westminster’ the Scottish Labour MP’s address was followed by a Q&A with William Crawley which included an update on the local legal cases surrounding marriage equality as well as discussion about efforts at Westminster and the stalled NI Assembly.

Panti Bliss: Before I die I want to get married in Belfast!

Patrick Corrigan on August 2, 2014, 9:49 am

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But how long will she have to wait? Happy Belfast Pride! On Thursday, Panti Bliss, aka Rory O’Neill, paid the city a visit to give the Amnesty International Pride Lecture. Alan in Belfast has a full audio-recording of the lecture here, but meanwhile here’s a little taste of what Panti told us before the sell-out lecture at The Mac. Update – here’s the full lecture: listen to ‘#pantibliss @PantiBliss versus Homophobia – the annual @AmnestyNI @BelfastPride lecture’ on Audioboo Patrick CorriganI am …

“Human Rights and Human Wrongs” – Rt Hon John Bercow delivers Amnesty International Pride Lecture in Belfast

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on July 5, 2013, 3:45 pm

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As Speaker of the House of Commons, the Rt Hon John Bercow has taken on the external roles of being an ambassador for Parliament and an advocate for democratic politics. A frequent speaker around the world, last night’s delivery of the annual Amnesty international lecture at Belfast Pride was his third visit to the city. On his previous trip to the PSA 2012 conference he asked what a 21st century parliament should look like? Last night in a speech entitled …

… a very uninviting place for Bible believers

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on July 26, 2011, 9:53 pm

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You may be surprised that the Rev David McIlveen (Sandown Free Presbyterian church) wasn’t referring to Belfast Pride when he spoke the words in this post’s title, but was instead referring to an institution of the state whose membership includes a Presbyterian minister (who is also free – though in the retired sense). While this morning’s Irish News carried the story of Jim Well’s ‘repugnant’ text, the News Letter confirmed what I half expected when I posted last Wednesday: This …

Belfast Pride: repugnant or still needed after all these years?

Patrick Corrigan on July 26, 2011, 12:45 pm

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The fact that Jim Wells MLA apparently finds me and other participants in the Belfast Pride parade “repugnant” would cause me scarcely a thought if he were not the Deputy Chairperson of the Health Committee at the Asssembly and scheduled by Peter Robinson to take over as Minister for Health in 2013. As reported by the Irish News today (subscription required), in a text message to Pride organiser Simon Rea, Mr Wells – in rejecting an invitation to take part …

No Free Presbyterian protest lodged against Belfast Pride Parade this year

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on July 20, 2011, 4:07 pm

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Now in its 21st year after its first “run through the city centre” Belfast Pride has a week of activities (and a growing set of events on the fringe) surrounding the Saturday afternoon parade through Belfast city centre. This year only one group has registered a protest with the Parades Commission. So unless the normal protest from Sandown Free Presbyterian has merged in with the Stop the Parade Coalition, they must be staying at home on the afternoon of Saturday …