No restrictions for Belfast Pride
Belfast Pride will not be subject to any restrictions when the parade marches through the city this Saturday.
The Parades Commission said it had received assurances from organisers over the “stewarding of the parade and the general conduct of the participants”.
Although the parade was not restricted last year, it sparked controversy in 2007 when one marcher carried a placard saying ‘Jesus is a fag’.
Belfast City councillor Christopher Stalford led calls for restrictions on future gay parades, claiming he was offended by the placard.
Belfast Pride is habitually picketed by groups of fundamentalist Christians, but usually proceeds peacefully.
It has been held every year since 1991 despite calls from the Free Presbyterians and others to ban it.
Free Presbyterian protesters infiltrated the march in 2006, handing out extracts from the Bible in protest.
