The parade began at 12 noon on O'Connell Street
(Image source: dublinpride.ie)Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says to him, the Pride March is both a celebration and a protest.
The 40th Dublin Pride got underway at 12 noon today- starting on O'Connell street, making its way around the capital and finishing at Merrion square.
Celebrations have been continuing throughout the month with parades and celebrations all around the country.
The Taoiseach says members of the LGBT community feel they need to highlight the fact that they have a right to feel safe:
"Look, it's two things really. It is a celebration of who we are, celebration of diversity and how far our country has come and that's great. But it's also a protest and it is the LGBT community and other allies saying that we have a right to freedom, we have a right to equality and that we have a right to feel safe on our streets and in our own communities."
