Pride Of Place In Drogheda

Anthony McIntyre ☠ A colourful spectacle gyrated out in carnival ambience is how I found the recent Pride parade in Drogheda.

We try to attend these events when they are on. Normally, the cultural activities of the gay scene haven't attracted my attention. Let them get on with what they want to do, more or less the attitude I adopted. There is no poison oozing out from their pores, they do me no harm and I wish them none. We are just the same - we are just different. Diversity is the bridge that allows sameness and difference to blend with no jagged edges.

When a bridge is no longer enough to shield gay people from the hate that rains down on them from some quarters, an umbrella is required under which we can all stand together. The brolly of protective diversity deflects the hate drops safely into the ground, eventually to make their way to the sewers where they find their natural home. Which is why I attend. I don't need to be gay to see myself in gay people or in immigrants or in women who opt to terminate pregnancies.

Starting out from a carpark close to Laurence's Gate, the coat of many colours seemed to fit the town it weaved its way through. Initially small at the assembly point, it soon mushroomed. Onlookers gathered to wave, take pictures, shout their well wishes, some of them accompanied by their children. A lesson for the young in inclusivity.

As is the norm, I accompanied my wife who very quickly becomes absorbed in the spirit of the event, feeling it important to stand beside those who face prejudice for no other reason than their sexuality.

One of the chants throughout the march was Love Who You Want, emitted from the well tuned vocal chords of Marxmen singer Paul Meagher. It was an apt incantation that contrasted so sharply with the venom we hear spat out from far right fangs.

Sometimes at these Pride events - probably more so in the North - the odd gay-bashing, bible-thumping bigot bounces up to scream some obscenity, but on this day none of that. Nobody saying Rosaries or waving crucifixes and shoving bibles in the faces of the participants.

Anti-gay bigotry is an organising principle for the far right. Most incongruously, those gays who have firmly placed themselves in the fascist camp must know that. Nevertheless, they seem to have ignored the warning from Pastor Niemoller that has resonated through each of the decades since first spoken.

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out

Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out

Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out

Because I was not a Jew.Then they came for me

and there was no one left to speak for me.

On occasion some gay people have organised and spoke at hate rallies against immigrants. I guess Napoleon got it right in observing that amongst the oppressed are those who like to oppress.

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