Spectacular spectacular is one way you could describe the recent Belfast Gay Pride Parade which was attended by quite a few Newry people and a great turnout of Newry Rainbow Community folk sporting our painstakingly designed T shirts with the NRC Logo on the front and catch-phrase “Pride not Prejudice” on the back. A collectors item to be sure!

The days events got off to a flying start in Writers Square with a lot of the participants wearing fancy dress and plenty of colourful flags and banners on display. The whole event certainly had a carnival flavour to it as we went on our merry way through the city centre with music filling the streets.

Our parade was greeted by the public with enthusiastic applause and cries of encouragement. It was the largest Belfast Gay Pride parade in it’s 15 year history with many thousands joining the ranks. The only small cloud to this silver lining was the ever smaller protest outside the City Hall which as it turned out was blocked from view by scores of people clapping and shouting support. From there it was back to Writers Square for the post parade party where tired legs got no rest for there was a bit of quality dancing to be done! A few beers, a burger and a couple of hours later the party in the Square was drawing to an end but with the evening still young we set off to visit Belfast’s Gay venues and stayed to the wee small hours and so a great day was followed by an great night.

The morning after the night before not so great though, but a hearty fry up on a sunny Sunday morning, sure what more could a body ask for. So with everyone fed, smiles back on faces and the sun streaming from a sea blue sky it just didn’t seem like time to go home. Cue the Botanic Gardens and one of their Summertime Concerts!

And so it was our NRC outing finished off lazing on the grass listening to a Jazz Band and watching the day wind down in the park. Later we said our goodbyes to all our friends old and new already minds wandering to our next galavant.

Many thanks to all involved in the organisation and running of the 2005 Belfast Pride Festival, easily the best yet and to all the local people that supported it.

www.gaynewry.com email: nrc@gaynewry.com