As many readers will know, many of the Unionist politicians in Northern Ireland have real problems with allowing the LGBT communities in the Province to exist peacefully and to express their culture. Following on from the statement issued by the combined Unionist parties this morning, my friend Stephen Glenn has published a statement from combined LGBT communities on his blog saying that is time for us to seek our cultural expression as LGBT British subjects living in Northern Ireland to be recognised:

“The combined Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities in Northern Ireland call upon the First Minister to establish a time-bound commission of inquiry with the necessary legal powers and resources to examine the equal marriage, gay adoption and MSM lifetime bloodban impasses and the wider issues these represent.

“This is consistent with policy in the rest of the Union he holds so dear.

“The issue of LGBT equality will not go away after the Pride parades.

“This is a further part of our graduated response strategy, and follows on from our raising issues such as bakeries revoking on contracts, The Health Minister’s so-called scientific evidence of unknown blood-borne diseases in gay men’s blood and the steps outlined by gay agenda (which we have still yet to see evidence of and we’re gay).

“In addition, the LGBT Communities are agreed that at every level – council, assembly, Westminster and Europe – the denial of LGBT expression, resulting from Unionist denial that we are less than equal and threats of eternal damnation, will have a consequence determining how our members towards each of these levels of government will participate.

“We intend to seek an urgent and fabulous meeting with the First Minister – the response of the First Minster to be that he participates in Belfast Pride – and this commission of inquiry will dictate the nature and timing of those actions.

“We are mindful of the strong will in the community for all elements of LGBT activism to act in a united manner and channel the rightful anger at this unjust decision.

“We reiterate our call for peaceful and lawful actions.”