Fearon celebrates diversity and promotes inclusion at Big Pride Family Day

 

The LGBT community should not just be tolerated but fully accepted in all aspects of society.

 

That was the message from Junior Minister Megan Fearon who today attended the Big Pride Picnic Family Day in the grounds of Belfast City Hall.

 

Junior Minister Fearon said:  “The Big Pride Picnic Family Day celebrates and raises awareness of LGBT families in Belfast.  It provides a fun, enjoyable and safe space for them to come together and promotes their inclusion as full and valued citizens of Belfast. 

 

“Today we see families enjoying a great day out where diversity is rightly respected, equality is promoted and differences celebrated. Tolerance is not enough and events like this demonstrate just how far we have come to bring this important community to the heart of Belfast.” 

 

The Minister met with families and groups attending the event and joined them in an afternoon of fun, food, celebration and entertainment.  

 

Junior Minister Fearon added:  “I commend Belfast City Council on its support for this event and also the partner agencies who have contributed to making the Big Pride Picnic Family Day such a great success, including the Here NI / Rainbow Family Project and Cara-Friend.”  

 

The Big Pride Picnic is one of the key events of the Belfast Pride Festival, Ireland’s biggest LGBT festival which attracts audiences of up to 50,000 each summer.  Now in its 26^th year, Belfast Pride Festival takes place until 7 August 2016 with a full programme of events, including lectures, exhibitions and performing arts. The Picnic was supported by Belfast City Council, Libraries NI and PSNI Community Engagement.

 

Notes to editors:

 

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