A Pride flag is flying outside at a UK Government building in Northern Ireland for the first time.
The flag was raised beside the Northern Ireland Office in Belfast on Friday morning (4 August). It celebrates the city’s Pride which takes place this weekend.
Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire approved the flying of the flag.
It also coincides with the first official visit of Republic of Ireland’s first openly gay prime minister.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will attend a Pride festival breakfast event this morning (5 August).
Northern Ireland still do not recognize same-sex marriage
The iconic moves comes amid a long-term political dispute on Northern Ireland’s ban on same-sex marriage.
Northern Ireland still do not recognize same-sex marriage. They are the only country in the UK not to do so.
The flag is being flown at Stormont House.
Mr Brokenshire hopes the law will eventually chance concerning same-sex marriage.
‘I voted for equal marriage in England and Wales and, like the prime minister, hope this can be extended to Northern Ireland in the future,’ he said.
Pride flag raised at Stormont House for first time at @JBrokenshire request. He expresses hope for intro of gay marriage in NI in future. pic.twitter.com/yUQChFVNSL
— David Young (@DavidYoungPA) August 4, 2017
