Show some respect! Coronation Street star Nicola Thorp takes on anti-LGBTQ+ group at Manchester Pride
Equality campaigner Nicola Thorp has won support after speaking out against a group of anti-LGBTQ+ protesters who turned up during Manchester Pride celebrations. The protesters arrived during the parade, a warm and inclusive celebration of sexuality equality and were waving signs saying your sin will find you out as they shouted towards those taking part.
Nicola was part of the Coronation Street float alongside her partner Charlie de Melo and her former colleagues including Antony Cotton, Melanie Hill and Katie McGlynn, when she directed a pointed and succinct message towards the group.
To cheers from the crowd, she said: Its a shame that you felt you needed to show your presence here today. You and your beliefs are not welcome here. You are not welcome to come and judge our sexuality.
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We will not come to preach at your church. This is our church. Show some respect.
The positive response to Nicolas words at the Pride ceremony soon drowned out the protesters and the celebrations at Pride are continuing into their third day.
Speaking to Metro.co.uk following her day at Pride, Nicola explained: Pride was such a wonderful day and seeing the protesters was a reminder of the origins of pride, that it still serves as a protest and a rally against hate as well as a celebration of love
There was only a small group of people protesting at the parade, and year on year the numbers dwindle…but its the homophobia and transphobia that is less visible, but present in everyday life that we need to stand against.
Im so grateful for the LGBTQ+ community for making me feel so welcome as an ally on their day, it only felt right to speak up against those protesters.
She added: Im not a religious person. But, as I understand it, those protesters believe God is Perfect and God is Love. So it seems to me that, by their own logic, their protest against love was not only hypocritical, but also very critical of His work.
You can read Nicolas powerful first person blog for Metro.co.uk on how showbiz red carpet coverage remains a dark alley of the web where sexism continues to thrive.
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