Now in its 33rd year, the Belfast Pride Festival is taking place across 10 days with more than 150 events, including the city's first ever LGBTQIA+ market.
Claiming the accolade of the 'biggest ever LGBTQIA+ festival on the island of Ireland', more than 90,000 people are expected to take part in the centrepiece Pride Parade, which will be led by the city’s first openly gay Lord Mayor, Cllr Micky Murray on Saturday, 27 July.
To find out more about this year's Love Your Mind theme and the history of this jam-packed event, we spoke with Gráinne Gibson, a Trustee of the Belfast Pride Festival.
Starting in 1991, with just a handful of people, Gibson says the Pride Parade began as "a rather quick dash up the street" compared to the huge celebration it is today.
Now working her eighth Pride, she says that attitudes towards the community have undoubtedly improved over the past number of years, allowing the annual event to become increasingly popular with young LGBTQIA+ families.
"I've noticed a real difference," she says, "just in the levels of acceptance and support. There are still minor protests, but the support of the wider community just far outweighs those smaller protests."
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Under the theme 'Love Your Mind', which encourages attendees to promote and engage in positive mental health discussions, there will be a wide range of wholesome and entertaining events taking place.
The guide includes (deep breath) a 'Big Trans Picnic in the Park', a youth mixer, a family fun day complete with bouncycastles and circus performers, a bra and binder fitting event, a cold water dip, arts and crafts, networking events, workshops, werk-shops, and much more.
"There's just something for everybody," says Gráinne. "The majority are put on by community groups and organisations within the wider Belfast area and advertised through the Pride Guide."
On Saturday, 27 July, Cllr Micky Murray - the city's first openly gay Lord Mayor - will lead the Belfast Pride Parade, kicking off at Custom House Square and ending at Victoria Street.
"It's such a brilliant moment for the community," Gráinne explains. "Our very lovely Councillor Micky Murray will be front and centre leading the parade. Then, he'll have a speech at our party in the square, which takes place after the parade.
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"The Pride parade - as with every Pride parade - means so many different things to so many people. It's a protest, a celebration, a call for equality, a stand for solidarity and a celebration of the lives of LGBTQIA+ community in Belfast.
"It's so fantastic to have the figurehead of the city of Belfast as an openly gay member of the community. It's really special."
As well as opening their doors to the Belfast community, Gibson says she hopes to see people from all over the island of Ireland and beyond take part in the festivities.
"We can't promise good weather, but there's always a warm welcome," she laughs. "Belfast is just more and more up and coming; the food, the places to stay - it's just an amazing time to be here."
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