Free Republic

The city of Belfast in Northern Ireland is gearing up for its annual gay pride parade this weekend. But what are the challenges that face LGBT people living in Northern Ireland where sexual identity and politics always seem to clash. Peter Coulter has been to meet a transgender woman living in Belfast, who would like to rejoin the Orange Order.

Orange Order in Belfast celebrates the July 12 marches in front of a Catholic Church. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJo9mk4aQwg

THE Grand Master of the Scottish Orange Order yesterday revealed he had rewritten much of the organisation's founding document in a bid to tone down its anti-Catholic sentiments. Ian Wilson says he is staging a campaign to improve the order's public image. He says while the society is proud of its Protestant base, he does not want it to be seen as anti-Catholic. And he has revealed he is seeking approval of the order's members to allow them to attend Catholic funeral Masses. Mr Wilson said: "I have no issues with the Orange Order's Protestant credentials, but what has to...

Around 300 protestors, who opposed the planned loyalist 'Love Ulster' march, have clashed with gardaí in Dublin city centre. Rocks, bottles, planks of wood and firecrackers were thrown as gardaí, photographers and journalists came under attack. The Garda Riot Squad are still in attendance and a total of 37 people have been arrested. They are being held at Store Street and Pearse Street garda stations. Fourteen people, including six gardaí, have been injured and are being treated in hospital. Skirmishes were reported on O'Connell Bridge and Aston Quay and there was a stand-off for a time on Fleet Street. Loyalist...