London - The Northern Ireland Secretary, Ms Mo Mowlam, last night joined 5,000 revellers at a charity concert in support of gay rights. Ms Mowlam was a special guest at the sixth Stonewall Equality Show at Royal Albert Hall, a key annual event in the lesbian and gay calendar.
This year's show celebrated the Northern Ireland Good Friday agreement which includes provisions for the protection of lesbians and gay men from discrimination - a first for UK legislation. Ms Mowlam was invited on stage to present a special award to a group which has shown outstanding commitment to lesbian and gay equality. The Stonewall Equality award went to Derry-based Northern Irish group Foyle Friend.