Sinn Fein councillor Conchur McCauley
Councillor McCauley said: “I am calling for a strong PRIDE display of ‘unity and determination’ in the fight to achieve full equality for LGBT+ citizens across this island.
“This Civil Rights march 50 years on from Duke Street 1968 is an opportunity for the LGBT+ community to highlight the fact that after half a century we are still treated as second class citizens.
“That is not acceptable. Equality is a right it should not be in the gift of any political party to grant or withhold.
“A large contingent under the LGBT+ banner on Saturday will demonstrate our determination to win the fight for equality of opportunity under the law.
“That means equality for all our citizens, but particularly for our LGBT+ brothers and sisters.
“It’s a disgrace that the right to marriage equality is still denied by the DUP and facilitated by the British government.
“We still have a long way to go before reaching full equality with our brothers and sisters across these islands.
“It’s important to remember that Pride is first and foremost a protest but also a fantastic platform to raise awareness that 50 years on from the Civil Rights campaign this society has a long way to go to achieve equality across the board..
“Sinn Féin will continue to work to end the denial of LGBT+ and other rights so we can have political institutions in the north with equality and rights at their core and which enjoy the confidence of the public.”
