30th Belfast Pride parade goes online with virtual celebrations
Belfast’s 30th Pride parade will not see the usual colourful celebrations on the city streets but is taking place virtually this year due to coronavirus restrictions.
From 1pm on Saturday organisers a virtual celebration is being broadcast on the Belfast Pride Facebook page.
Last year's parade was the biggest to date with more than 50,000 people taking to the streets.
For 2020, the organisers have asked people to send in a short video instead about how they are celebrating.
Parade hosts Trudy Scrumptious and Gareth Woods are presenting a four-hour live show featuring the best of the videos sent in.
From 7pm, an online Party In The Square will take place featuring music and talent from Northern Ireland's LGBTQ community.
Public Health Agency spokeswoman Fiona Teague said Pride is an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the organisations working to support the health and wellbeing of the LGBTQ community.
She said: "Due to the Covid-19 restrictions we, like so many other supporters, are unable to take part as usual in the Pride parade.
"We want to send a message of support to the LGBTQ+ community and let them know there are support services available for their needs, and to not struggle on their own with whatever they are going through.
"Research has shown that overall, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender community are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and other mental health issues due to discrimination and social isolation."