A “historic” Pride event is to be held in Ballymena for the first time next year.
The Mid and East Antrim Pride plans to hold the event in the Co Antrim town in June 2025.
It is the latest in a number of Pride events that have sprung up across Northern Ireland in recent years in areas outside of Belfast.
The event will take place within the North Antrim constituency area, traditionally seen as being one of the most staunchly unionist and conservative in the north.
The North Antrim MP seat was held by DUP and Free Presbyterian Church founder Ian Paisley and his son Ian Paisley Jr for 54 years, before the latter lost the seat to TUV leader Jim Allister earlier this year.
Mid and East Antrim Pride organisers say the event will be “deeply rooted in cross-community spirit, and emphasises that tribal politics and divisive stances on social issues are not reflective of the broader, more welcoming community that calls this part of the region home.”
“We are proud to launch Mid & East Antrim Pride as a platform for peace, love, and togetherness,” said a Ballymena Pride spokesman.
“This event is not just about celebrating diversity, but also about building bridges across communities and showcasing the openness and kindness that define the people of this area.
“We as a collective simply believe that the true diversity that exists within our area deserves to be acknowledged and celebrated.”
The event will take place on International Pride Day, Saturday 28 June.
Former MP Paisley Jr said in an interview with Hot Press in 2007 that he thought same-sex relationships were “wrong” and that he was “pretty repulsed by gay and lesbianism”.
His father founded the “Save Ulster from Sodomy” campaign in 1977 to prevent the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the north.
Sitting North Antrim MP Mr Allister was also supportive of the campaign during his time in the DUP and in 2015 described gay sex as “obnoxious”.