Derry exhibition marks official launch of LGBTQIA+ Awareness Week

PICTURED ABOVE: Group pictured at the launch of LGBTQIA+ Awareness Week held in the Learning Disability and Multi-Use Centre. From left are Martin McConnellogue, Unison LGBT, Amanda Biega, good relations officer, DCSDC, Jason Dunn, chairperson Pride, Cllr. Sandra Duffy, Amy McRory, Rainbow (Foyle), James McGolderick and Xavier Beardwood. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

The launch of LGBTQIA+ Awareness Week took place last week in Derry with a special event and exhibition of a section of the Pride Quilt, created over thirty years ago.

The event was attended by members of UNISON who first initiated Awareness Week, LGBTQIA support organisations Rainbow and Foyle Pride, and members of the Council’s recently established LGBTQIA+ Working Group, plus many friends and supporters of the LGBTQIA+ community.

The section of the Quilt on display is a tribute to those who sadly lost their lives to AIDS and members of the family of one of the event’s founders Patrick Doherty were present at the launch. Patrick, who died from the disease, was fondly remembered by his family at the event, in particular his sister Karen who gave a moving speech about the ongoing need for support for the LGBTQIA+ community locally.

Also speaking at the launch, Martin McConnelogue and Michael McLaughlin, fellow co-founders of LGBTQIA+ Awareness Week, stressed the importance of providing support for a marginalized community.

They welcomed the event and the presence of the Doherty family and also thanked local organisations and Council for making a local launch possible. This was echoed by Jason Dunne of Foyle Pride.