Minister launches gay pride event

Free Derry Corner has been painted pink for the event

Londonderry's Gay Pride festival programme has been launched by Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

The week long event celebrates the cultural and political achievements of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gender community in the city.

Mr McGuinness said the festival showed progress had been made in Derry.

He praised the introduction of civil partnerships and new legislation banning discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

Launching the festival at the Rainbow Project in the city, Mr McGuinness said: "No-one should be discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation in the same way that it should not happen because of their age, race or indeed any other characteristic of their being.

"The Office of the First and Deputy First Minister are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for all our citizens."

Free Derry Corner was painted pink to coincide with Foyle Pride Week, which is being staged in the city next month for the first time in five years.

At the weekend, Free Derry corner was daubed with anti-gay graffiti. The offensive remarks were later removed.

The festival begins on 13 August.