Colum Eastwood support Foyle Parade while Mayor of Derry in 2010
SDLP Leader and Foyle MLA Colum Eastwood has urged Derry to come out to celebrate the annual Pride Parade through the streets of the city on Saturday.
Mr Eastwood supported the first ever Pride parade in Derry as the city’s Mayor in 2010.
Speaking ahead of the parade tomorrow, Saturday, August 27, Mr Eastwood said:
“Achieving full equality for our LGBT+ community has become the civil rights calling of a new generation.
“Tackling the endemic discrimination faced by our LGBT brothers and sisters, sons and daughters in healthcare, equality and other areas is critical to creating a fairer society.
“One of the first acts the SDLP has taken as an Opposition party at Stormont is to table proposals for private member’s legislation which will finally ensure that those in our LGBT community have the basic right of being able to marry the person they want to spend the rest of their life with.
“We must all stand together to deliver a powerful message of hope and acceptance to our LGBT friends and family, young and old, that the love they share is as equal as any other.
“The people of this city can do that by coming together on Saturday and standing shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with this community.
“As Mayor, I stood with the LGBT community in the first ever Pride parade in Derry.
“As SDLP leader, I’ll stand with them as an active ally in their fight for marriage equality, for fair blood donation rules, for access to critical healthcare provision and for full equality and liberation.
“Derry is a diverse and accepting city, I have no doubt that people here will join us in even bigger numbers,” added the SDLP leader.
The Foyle Pride Parade departs from Waterside Train Station in Duke Street at 2 pm and will make its way to the Guildhall Square by its usual route.
The parade will be followed by family friendly entertainment on our Main Stage at The Guildhall Square.
Entertainment will be provided by Encore Contemporary Choir, Susie Blue and Fireworks DDTA.
After the parade is a BBQ and family fun area warehouse No1 Bistro and Cafe, Sandinos Bar and Cafe Soul (£5 entry for Cafe Soul).
JD Samson will also be in town.
For a fantastic set from the leader of MEN and member of Le Tigre come along for the madness that will be the after party after a week of some serious festivities – 8pm The Glassworks – £8 presale / £10 on the door (available at Culturlann Ui Chanain.
