Politicians are to be questioned by Northern Ireland's gay community this week as part of Belfast's 10th annual Pride festival.
During a Queer Bedfellows' evening in Belfast on Wednesday, representatives of the North's main political parties will take questions from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) community on their policies on gay issues.
The first event of Belfast Pride 2000 was a conference entitled "Sexual Diversity" in the Waterfront Hall on Saturday. The one-day conference aimed to explore diversity in the LGTB community and to promote awareness and understanding.
One of the guest speakers was Mr Peter Tatchell of the gay group, Outrage. He said equality was not enough for homosexuals as it was merely "equality on heterosexual terms".
"We cannot conform to their system. We need a fundamental renegotiation of sexual values and laws. For example, there should be an Unmarried Partners Act to give new legal rights to unwed couples, both gay and heterosexual, instead of just conforming to the heterosexual model of marriage.
"We don't just want equality in sex education either. We want better quality sex education in schools for both queer and straight pupils."
Mr Tatchell said Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 was "one of the most advanced pieces of gay rights legislation anywhere in the UK.
"Northern Ireland is leading the way in ensuring equal opportunities for lesbians and gay men. It is ironic that this advance has been made in a province notorious for its homophobic intolerance and discrimination.
"Unionist politicians in particular have traditionally been violently homophobic. This is despite the fact that their hero, William of Orange, was a homosexual and several leading unionist politicians over the last three decades have been gay them selves."
The celebrations run until next Saturday, culminating in a parade through the city. Events include a spirituality workshop presented by gay Bishop Pat Buckley. There will be panel discussions for gay men and lesbians on issues such as safe sex, drug awareness and equality.
Today, an open meeting is planned with a chief inspector from the RUC Community Affairs branch when questions will be taken on the newly established Homophobic Incidents Recording System. The Pride calendar also features a performance by the latest Irish boy band InFocus.