Large crowd gather in Ballyfermot to show support to the LGBT+Community
By Maurice Garvey
A LARGE crowd gathered in Ballyfermot on Friday to show support for the LGBT+ community.
The removal of a Pride flag and a Tricolour last week at Assumption parish church in Ballyfermot, created a backlash online and led to the event being organised by Ballyfermot Anti-Racism Network and Ballyfermot Youth Service.
People showing their support to the LGBT+Community on the roundabout outside the Assumption Church in Ballyfermot
The flags were flown by parish priest Fr Adrian Egan but later removed following advice by the Dublin Catholic archdiocese that only papal flags or the national flag can be flown on church grounds for special occasions.
The parish said it was an ‘effort by a parish pastoral council to say to our gay brothers and sisters God loves you, your parish loves you, and you are welcome here.’
Most of the comments on local social media sites were supportive, however Fr Egan said the move attracted some “nasty” comments condemning the decision.
Cllr Daithí Doolan (SF) said it was a “family friendly, positive and upbeat” rally.
“It was a very powerful message. Homophobia and racism are not welcome in Ballyfermot.”
TD Brid Smith (PBP) said there are a lot of married gay couples in Ballyfermot and the vigil was to show “solidarity with the positive message from the church on gay rights.” .
