A RAINBOW of balloons was launched over York as a tribute to murdered gay rights activist David Kato.

David, a Ugandan national, was based at the University of York’s Centre for Applied Human Rights, and was murdered in January after a Ugandan newspaper called for his execution.

The launch was part of Saturday’s York Pride event, a celebration of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender residents of North Yorkshire which took place at Rowntree Park.

York Central MP Hugh Bayley, who launched the balloons, said: “David Kato was very brave to campaign for equal rights for homosexuals in Uganda.

He made many friends in York during his time at the university, and they were appalled and devastated when he was murdered shortly after he returned to his own country. I hope his shocking death will prompt the Ugandan Parliament to step back from passing laws which victimise and discriminate against gay men and women.”

Dan Sidley, chair of this year’s York Pride, said: “We are determined to use Pride 2011 and the tragic murder of David Kato to spread the message that there is still much to be done to eradicate hate and violence against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.”