Proud?

WexfordMusings

All Belfast people can once again be proud…

Whilst visiting the Gay Pride festival in Belfast on Saturday, I have great pleasure in reporting that the most positive thing that I experienced was the friendliness of the locals. This was evident, as even winding our way back to the hotel on Saturday night, in a relative straight line, with Chinese take-away under arm (well actually in a plastic bag that didn’t incur a government levy) we were stopped by a nice guy and asked how was the parade and did we enjoy our night out. We of course answered in the affirmative. It was the 16th year of the annual Belfast Pride and was the biggest Pride event Northern Ireland has ever seen attracting over 6,500 parade participants.

Of course, the idea of going, as with most ideas, happened late in the pub on Friday night at our usual social night. I then had to ring my friend on Saturday morning to see that he still wanted to go as from personal experience I often regret the next morning what I agreed to. But, he was still happy to be going off, we jumped into the car, left Wexford at 10am and landed in Belfast shortly after 2.00pm.

Thankfully, we had a safe uneventful journey, although my passenger did have problems keeping his jaw off the ground when he spied the petrol pump attendant, and of course had to go buy something in the shop. It was also my passengers first time over the border, (which of course no longer exists) and I was rather surprised that a 23 year old Irish person had never gone over the border. I would encourage anyone who has never gone, or who hasn’t gone for quite some time to go. Just jump into the car (drive safely), bus, train, helicopter, whatever, Belfast has so much to offer and I for one will be going again.

The parade was magnificent, colourful, vibrant & well run. I didn’t see any trouble occurring. Many people were proudly carrying their large pink banners stating “Love is a Human Right”, which is of course the way it’s meant to be. Peacetime has been in the city from about 1994 and I am proud to say that Peace again won out. The party afterwards was great, with a huge clean-up crew working their little asses off whilst we all adjourned to the Union & the Kremlin.

I do have the unfortunate job to report one negative aspect of the weekend, but, in hindsight, this is not even in the control of the people organising the pride weekend. That was, the smoking in the pub, when I first saw a person lighting up, I nearly went over to them and told then to put it out, until I remembered where I was. But seriously Belfast, and I mean no disrespect, please ban smoking in public places…

Overall, the Parade was great, the Belfastonians were warm, welcoming and friendly, all the venues we visited were brilliant and we met the best DJ ever, (with the warmest cheekiest smile) in the Union. I’m sure that behind the scenes a lot of hard work was put in by the committee, local police, emergency services and others I can’t even imagine to make this a successful safe event.

On a final note, the back of a T-shirt I spied read – “Don’t agree with Gay Marriage? Then don’t marry one”. We, here in the South, could do a lot worse than to look at our counterparts in Northern Ireland and learn a few lessons.

Well-done Belfast.

John Ryan, Committee member of EAGLE. Contact 086 3953846 or Eagle.wexford@hotmail.com

PS Dont forget Gay/Lesbian Night out tomorrow, Thursday 10th August in Renaissance. Check my last post for details.

Rock Climber

Belfast is lovely tbh and full of good looking people.
I just love the accent.

Now where exactly was that petrol station so we all can have a gander

Hmm_Messiah

WexfordMusings wrote:

All Belfast people can once again be proud…

It was also my passengers first time over the border, (which of course no longer exists)
places…

We, here in the South, could do a lot worse than to look at our counterparts in Northern Ireland and learn a few lessons.

You come across as maybe a little politically naive.

I imagine Belfast people have been proud for many many generations: what they might feel now within the present situation is safer and a sense of normality they long deserved.

And the border has just disappearred has it ? That news shouold not be limited to a LGBT forum.

Finally I am not sure what lessons you suggest "we" might learn for a successful parade in Belfast, dispite never really seeing the point I've not heard any disaster stories about recent ones here. A recent thread seemed only to have happy tales to tell.


I might of suggested that perhaps belfast/NI might indeed be proud of its legislation re same sex partnerships but then it seems excessive to be proud that you extended basic rights to your citizens.

Overall though I'm glad you had a nice time. Not sure how surprising thats meant to be in 2006 .

WexfordMusings

Hi Messiah,

I'm not suggesting that Belfast people have not been proud for generations. However, there was a little trouble at the Belfast Pride last year, and I for one, didnt see any this year, hence, I believe my title is quite acceptable.

Politically Naive, I don't think so. I prefer to concentrate on the good things in life, to have a positive outlook on all things. I try to give people the benifit of doubt.

No the border hasnt just dissappeared, I do apologise, what I should have said is that it is great that the checkpoints, glaring armed forces, towers manned with heavily armed individuals, car searches, harressment at border and suspucious looks leveled on you if you were driving a Wexford car has thankfully ceased. Is there any part of this that you enjoyed? I somehow doubt it.

Finally, I would be proud if my governmant would extend basic human and constitutional rights to me and my friends. I don't believe it would be excessive to congratulate our government if they decided to listen to the Gay & Lesbian community. Is that not democracy at work. Would you?

I would like to re-iterate that I for one had a great weekend and we need to start enjoying the good things around us a little more.:D

Wexfordmusings

PS, Rock Climber - Petrol station is my little secret, although you could try and hit all of them from here Belfast to Wexford. I thinks there is only a few.

Hmm_Messiah

WexfordMusings wrote:

Finally, I would be proud if my governmant would extend basic human and constitutional rights to me and my friends. I don't believe it would be excessive to congratulate our government if they decided to listen to the Gay & Lesbian community. Is that not democracy at work. Would you? [\QUOTE]

Like I said i can understand a tendency to congratulate any body on progressive acts but it seems wrong to congratulate a government on doing its job. It would seem very silly to congratulate a politician/party/executive for being democratic.