Foyle Pride celebrates 30th anniversary this weekend

The annual Foyle Pride parade is set to take place this weekend, marking 30 years since the event began.

The parade will take place this Saturday, August 26, leaving from the Waterside Train Station at 2.00pm. A variety of other events are taking place throughout the week including crafts, sport and arts.

Micháel Kerrigan was one of the founders of Foyle Pride three decades ago. He will be leading the parade along with Sharon McCloskey and Caitlín Gallagher.

Micháel said he's looking forward to the occasion and explained that the original parade launched at a difficult time.

“It was a very interesting time because – it wasn't a great time to be gay. It was tough so the people who got involved were very courageous. It was pretty hard. The Troubles were in full flight,” he said.

“We decided we had to do something for Gay Pride on the anniversary of the Stonewall riots, 27 June every year. So a group of us came together – it was a very collective thing and a lot of it was very ad-hoc.

“We decided we'd ask Annie Courtney, who was the SDLP Mayor at the time, thinking that she would turn it down but she didn't. She swept into the playhouse where the launch was and I greeted her and she uttered the immortal words, which I will never forget: 'I am the mayor for all citizens of Derry'.”

Micháel said the show of support was very touching for the founders.

“As far as I know Annie Courtney was the first elected official in the Western World or at least these islands to actually launch a Pride festival. After she left we were all in tears because we didn't know what she was going to say.”

He said people in the wider Derry community helped out 'big time' in the lead up including Terry Crossan, Mary Nelis, the recently deceased Roisin Barton.

“Terry Crossan as Peadar O'Donnell’s had just opened came to me and said 'if you want to organise any events, fundraising or discos I will open the bar upstairs'. So we did that. It was very good support at the time but they were dark times,” he added.

The Foyle Pride Festival features a wide range of activities and shows of solidarity. The week kicked off with the hoisting of the Trans flag at Free Derry Wall Friday, August 18.

The Derry City and Strabane Council building has also been lit up all week in rainbow colours to celebrate Pride.

Mayor Lougue said the week presents an opportunity to show solidarity with LGBT+ people.

“I am honoured to light up the Council offices in Derry and the Alley Theatre in Strabane in a rainbow of colours all week long to show my solidarity and support for the Foyle Pride Festival this year,” she said.

“While I support the endeavours of the Foyle Pride Festival Association all year round, this week gives us the opportunity to highlight the ongoing issues within the LGBTQIA+ community and allows us to stand strong with them as we continue to fight for equality across the North West.

“We must work together to create an inclusive, safe and welcoming environment here in Derry and Strabane for all members of our community and while we have come a long way in the 30 years, there is still work to be done.”