Workers Party Marches in Solidarity at Newry Pride 

I was proud to have lead a delegation of Workers Party activists that included Workers Party Youth, the local Newry branch and representatives from the Central Executive Committee. Plus my daughter, who enjoyed the day. (Thanks also to Party member David, who helped organise our attendance.) While we all accept that Pride is a protest, there was such a sense of inclusivity and solidarity it was hard not to feel joyful.

 

The Pride parade was much bigger this year, and all thanks to pride organisers: you did your community proud. The numbers lining the streets in solidarity was absolutely amazing and thhere were many fun events and concerts. The message was in no way diluted; LGBTQ+ people want their rights, they want the long promised introduction of the Hate Crimes Legislation that has never been delivered on. The Workers Party has been long time supporters of the rights that pride highlights and will stand shoulder to shoulder with them in their struggle for equality and rights.

The current political system has failed the LGBTQ+ community by paying lip service to their demands. It is time the government introduced the Bill of Rights that the Workers Party called for and was promised in the Good Friday Agreement. It is time to stop the rhetoric and to deliver on the promised legislation that deals with hate crimes and should include a femicide clause

The Workers Party remains committed to working with the community to secure LGBTQ+ rights because these rights are human rights.