The Newry Rainbow Community participated in the Dublin Pride parade a few weeks back and will have a float in the Belfast Pride parade next Saturday. At both these parades, and at Pride events and parades around the World one symbol in particular will be very prominent. Since it first appeared in 1978 the rainbow flag, also known as the freedom flag, has been synonymous with the global lgb&t community. It flies proudly over the NRC Centre on Hill Street in Newry, and is an emblem that represents not only our community’s march towards equal rights, but it is also a sign used across the world by organisations and businesses to let people know that they are gay-orientated or gay-friendly.

Most flags have their origin in revolutionary movements or historic occasions and the rainbow flag is no different. It was created following the assassination of Harvey Milk by his friend Gilbert Baker, whom Milk encouraged to use his art for activism. Shortly thereafter followed the Stonewall riots, directly connected to the birth of Pride, which historically is scheduled to take place around the anniversary of the riots.

So when you see the rainbow flag on Hill Street, or wonder what’s Pride all about, it’s about being proud of where we, as lgb&t people, have come to as a community. It’s good for people to get together and be visible in numbers, to see each other in person to catch up with friends and make new ones. Pride changes the World in a good and positive way, it sends great joy into the Universe and it feeds our collective soul so that we stay strong for the many battles that still lie ahead of us as individuals and as a community.

Belfast Pride parade takes place next Saturday 30th July, stating at 2pm. Come along and enjoy the brilliant positive and colourful pageant that it is, and give your support to everyone on the NRC float. Happy Pride!