Love beats hate, every single time | Photo: Impossible Bar, Twitter
British soap stars shouted down anti-gay protesters at Manchester Pride parade to rapturous applause.
While thousands celebrated during the parade yesterday (25 August), a group of people decided to protest on religious grounds. The group waved anti-gay placards on Peter Street when they were spotted by the stars of British soap Coronation Street. The actors road on their own float in the parade.
Nicola Thorp, who played Nicola Rubinstein in the show before leaving in June, decided to let the protesters know they were not welcome in Manchester.
‘It’s a shame that you felt you needed to show your presence here today. You and your beliefs are not welcome here. You are not welcome to come and judge our sexuality,’ she shouted to them, according to Manchester Evening News.
Nicola Thorp on the Coronation Street float | Photo: Nicola Thorp, Instagram
‘We will not come to preach at your church. This is our church. Show some respect.’
But while one take down might have been enough, openly-gay actor Anthony Cotton took it into his own hands. He jumped down from the float and waved a rainbow flag at the protesters. Then he kissed his boyfriend, Peter, right in front of them.
The protesting group held placards with anti-LGBTI messages on them. One read ‘Be sure your sin will find you out.’ Whereas another ominous one read: ‘Pride goes before DESTRUCTION.’
The others contained bible quotes about sin.
Manchester Pride is the counter-protest
The soap stars weren’t the only ones letting the protesters know they have no place at Pride. The group stood outside Manchester restaurant and bar Impossible.
So two of their employees stormed outside and kissed right in front of them.
🌈🏳️🌈 Two Impossible staff love birds proving that LOVE ALWAYS WINS !! The place for closed minded protesters at pride is NON-EXISTENT! Have a great day everybody!!! We will see you at the bar! ❤️🧡💛💚💙 #gaypride2018 #pride #gay #lesbian #loveislove #LGBT @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/RQuM0Wz7BG
— IMPOSSIBLE Manchester (@IMPOSSIBLE_Mcr) August 25, 2018
The Twitter account shared a photo of them: ‘Two Impossible staff love birds proving that LOVE ALWAYS WINS!! The place for closed minded protesters at pride is NON-EXISTENT! Have a great day everybody!!! We will see you at the bar!’
The two kissers are not only bar supervisors, but recently engaged. Congratulations from GSN!
More from Gay Star News:
Lesbians fight against transphobia at Manchester Pride: See the best parade pics
Birmingham Pride to expand out of gay village due to major redevelopment
This priest ‘cleansed’ his city with holy water after it held a Pride parade
