Dublin Pride have announced that Leo Varadkar, the first gay leader of Ireland, will be making joining in the festivities this afternoon to mark the special occasion.

In a press release, Dublin Pride have announced that the Taoiseach will be joining Grand Marshal Moninne Griffith as they celebrate today.

“Join us today and show that ‘Prejudice has no hold in this Republic’ as we celebrate as equals with our Grand Marshal, Moninne Griffith CEO of Belong To, plus our Taoiseach, Leo Varadker and all our friends, family’s and ally’s [sic],” reads the statement.

“It’s been a really, really big few years for the Irish LGBT+ community and friends, and it’s a significant time to be out, proud and loud – so stand up and be counted.”

Historic

Following Enda Kenny as the leader of Fine Gael, Varadkar made international history as the fourth leader in the world to be a publicly out member of the LGBT+ community.

Despite the positive international attention that Varadkar’s election brought to Ireland, those within our country have focussed more upon the Taoiseach as a politician and not as a gay man.

Varadkar’s election as Ireland’s leader has proved to be a bone of contention within the LGBT+ community, which is in part due to the nature of his political ideologies which would appear more closely aligned with a conservative right than liberal left.

Having come out publicly to support marriage equality in Ireland in 2015, months before Ireland’s historic same-sex marriage referendum, Varadkar is now urging Northern Ireland to introduce same-sex marriage.

In a meeting with DUP leader Arlene Foster, Varadkar urged Northern Ireland to make marriage equality a reality, something he viewed as an inevitability.

Pride Route

The Dublin Pride Parade route has been altered this year, with the parade starting at Stephen’s Green and ending in Smithfield.

“Join us this year for art, music, performance, wellness For our New Route and parade, the start is 12noon at St. Stephen Green (South) that crosses the city centre in spectacular style, featuring the biggest and brightest stars from the Irish LGBT+ scene and beyond, and household names from every walk of life.

“Enjoy this fun, festival atmosphere and show your pride colours as we ‘Find Our Inner Hero’.

“As well as bringing our march to new streets, as a mark of respect for Gilbert Baker, the creator of our Pride Flag who died this March, this year our Rainbow flag will be flown on every street we’ve ever marched in times gone by as a mark of remberance [sic] and respect.”

For security purposes, bags larger than A4 will not be permitted at Dublin Pride this year or any of the Dublin Pride events.

The GCN Dublin Pride 2017 Guide has some of the highlights from this year’s Pride festival.