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Newry Pride is to be the first Northern Ireland parade to be headed by a LGBTQIA+ council chairperson and deputy.
The announcement was made at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) this week, with a plea for as many elected reps to be present in the city parade after a five year absence of the event.
The council’s chairperson, Pete Byrne and deputy chairperson, David Lee-Surginor are both from the LGBTQIA+ community.
Cllr Byrne said: “I want to remind people that Pride in Newry is back this year and the event will be on the last week of August (31) with a parade in Newry.
“There will be an array of events organised by the LGBTQ+ Women’s Group Newry, so we would like to see as many councillors attending as possible.”
Earlier in July, Micky Murray became the first openly gay Belfast Lord Mayor to lead a Pride parade.
The Newry parade is now under the management of the LGBTQ+ Women’s Group Newry, with the community group receiving a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to revive the festival.
The NMDDC chairperson added:”I think it is also important that this year, that we have two LGBTQIA+ members in the chair and deputy chair of council, that we will be together leading the parade through Newry.
“We are looking forward to that and hope to see as many of you as colleagues to be there in support of the LGBTQIA+ community.”
