The organisers of one of Northern Ireland's main Pride demonstrations have become the first to ban political parties from participating in this year's events.
This comes after Green Party leader Mal O'Hara yesterday called on organisers of Northern Ireland's Pride demonstrations to distance themselves from the political parties who make up the Northern Ireland Executive following the decision to ban puberty blockers for people experiencing gender dysphoria and gender incongruence.
In a statement this afternoon, organisers of Foyle Pride said that political parties who supported that decision and parties that "remained silent" would not be invited to take part in the 2025 Foyle Pride Festival.
The Foyle Pride festival launched in 1993 and held their first march in 2010. This year's festival is due to run from 14th to 24th August with their parade scheduled for 23rd August.
"Pride has always been a protest—a fight for our rights, our dignity and our lives. Foyle Pride is not just a celebration; it is a statement of resistance," the organisers said.
"With that in mind, we are making our stance clear: political parties involved in the NI Executive’s decision to ban puberty blockers will not be invited to participate in Foyle Pride Festival 2025.
"This means no party banners in the parade, no political party advertisements in our programme, no official messages from the mayor or mayoral attendance at any events, and no platform for those who continuously fail to stand up for trans people. This decision also extends to parties that remained silent when trans lives were under attack. Allyship is more than just rainbow flags and Pride Month social media posts - it means showing up when it matters.
We will no longer tolerate empty words, virtue signalling, or hollow support from those who refuse to protect LGBTQIA+ rights in practice. Foyle Pride is and always will be, a community-led, grassroots movement that stands with all queer people, especially our trans siblings who have been abandoned by those in power.
"We march for real change, real solidarity and real support. Pride belongs to the people—not politicians who betray us. Stand with us. Speak out. Fight back."
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English (United States) ·