The DUP has said that an announcement by Foyle Pride that no invites will be extended to this year’s festival to political parties involved in the NI Executive’s decision to ban puberty blockers “backs up what we have been saying for years”.
The annual Foyle Pride festival is one of the largest LGBTQ+ events across Northern Ireland and regularly sees thousands of people flock to Derry city as part of the gathering.
However, those behind the event have taken to social media to hit out at a recent move in Stormont to extend a ban on the sale or supply of puberty blockers to under-18s.
In December the Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said Executive agreement had been reached on the progression of legislation to include Northern Ireland in a UK ban on puberty blockers.
At the time he said young people in Northern Ireland will have “equitable access” to NHS trials to determine the safety and effectiveness of puberty blocker drugs.
In a Facebook post, Foyle Pride wrote: “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.
“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.”
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The annual Foyle Pride parade which made its way from the Waterside Railway Station to Guildhall Square. Picture Martin McKeown. 24.08.24
The organisers confirmed this would mean there will be no party banners in the parade this summer, no political party advertisements during the festival, that there will be no official messages from the mayor or mayoral attendance.
They added: “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.”
Commenting on the announcement, Foyle DUP MLA Gary Middleton said: “This is an incredibly honest statement from Foyle Pride which backs up what we have been saying for years. The Pride Parade is a protest and therefore the involvement of the police, the BBC or other public sector bodies is clearly incompatible. Public sector organisations should not be involved in political campaigns.
“We rightly opposed puberty blockers as they are destructive to children. These treatments are not, and could never have been described as “normal healthcare”.
“There should be a focus on what help can be provided to young people who have taken these drugs and who bear the scars from them. That should be the focus of our health service rather than the approach which appeared to be prevalent in some quarters previously.”
Last year Westminster’s Department of Health and Social Care said the Commission on Human Medicines had published independent expert advice that there is “currently an unacceptable safety risk in the continued prescription of puberty blockers to children”.
The department said the commission had recommended indefinite restrictions while work is carried out to ensure the safety of children and young people.
While health is a devolved matter, the ban applies across the UK.
In a statement to MLAs at the time, Mr Nesbitt confirmed the step had been taken following agreement with the Executive.
Mr Nesbitt said NHS clinical trials will be undertaken to determine the safety and effectiveness of the drugs.
News Catch Up – Thursday 13 February