The organisers of the Dublin LGBTQ Pride festival are moving the event to September due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It usually takes place in June with the parade - the biggest in Ireland after St Patrick's Day - closing out the festivities.

Dates had been announced for June 18th to the 28th.

But organisers say the 2020 Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride Parade will instead be held on September 12th.

However this date can also be pushed out if needed.

In a statement, organisers say they recognise that "now more than ever, communities and community organisations must come together to fight against the threat to society from the current COVID-19 crisis."

"It will come as no surprise to you that we have decided to postpone our annual parade and festival until September."

"Right now it is very clear what we all have to do - stay at home. Support and respect the workers who can’t.

"Maintain social distance, wash your hands, check-in on vulnerable people, be kind to yourselves and others".

"Over the past few days we have kept hearing the phrase ‘In this Together’, a hard reminder that this virus shows no favour to anyone, but more than that, it is a call to arms, a plea to everyone to join the fight and do their part."

This will be the theme of Dublin Pride 2020.

The statement adds: "We stand ready to answer Ireland’s call in whatever way we can, and we ask you to do the same and when the crisis is over, pride will be ready to play its role in bringing communities together and breathing life back into the city."

"Who would have thought that after decades of asking you to come out, we’d be asking you to stay inside?".

"Right now that is the very best thing most of us can do, but that doesn’t mean you’re alone."

Support organisations like LGBT Ireland, TENI, BeLongTo, Outhouse, Linc and many others are offering phone and online services.