Alliance South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw has encouraged people to attend the first Trans Pride event in Belfast, which will take place tomorrow (Saturday).
Ms Bradshaw will be one of a number of political representatives attending the event at Writer’s Square at 12.30pm, which will be followed by various happenings in the area. The theme is solidarity, which the Alliance representative said was a fitting topic.
“I am delighted to be leading the Alliance presence at the first Trans Pride Parade in Belfast,” she said.
“I welcome the highlighting of the extent and diversity of Northern Ireland’s trans community and its wide range of needs. For far too long, they have hidden themselves away, been discriminated against, have been verbally and physically abused, and have been shunned by many in our society.
“As Alliance’s Health spokesperson, I am acutely aware of how support for the trans community has been structurally underfunded for many years. The sterling work of the Brackenburn Clinic’s regional gender identity service has been exemplar, however, with growing numbers of trans people coming forward for support, supply has not met demand and people are having to wait for up to a year for an appointment. As such, I hope this event is a launch pad for the trans community to find its voice in calling for additional healthcare support and services.
“I would encourage as many people as possible to attend tomorrow and show solidarity with the trans community stretches right across the community.”