Foyle Pride parade brings splash of colour to city

A person with blonde hair looks at the camera. They are wearing a blue piece of clothing, and they have a tattoo on their upper left arm. Behind them are a number of people.

Foyle Pride is in its 32nd year

Ashleigh Swan
BBC News NI

It has been a colourful day in Londonderry as thousands of people turned out for the 2025 Foyle Pride parade.

The festival began on 15 August.

Now in its 32nd year, Foyle Pride is described by organisers as a celebration of diversity and inclusivity, with a wide range of events on offer, including theatre performances, workshops, discussions and exhibitions.

Like Belfast Pride, which took place in July, Stormont's four executive parties, Sinn Féin, the DUP, Alliance and the UUP, were told by organisers they were not welcome at the parade over their support for a ban on puberty blockers for under-18s.

Three people smiling at the camera. All three of them are holding pride flags, and have LGBT+ flags painted on their faces.

Kaye Noonan said it is really exciting to be in Derry

This is Kaye Noonan's first Pride. She said it is really exciting to be in Derry.

"Everybody is just being so supportive about something that I felt so scared about for years, and I'm really glad to be here with my best friends," she said.

Niamh O'Neill said the event sends a message that people "deserve to show off and be authentically you".

A bald man wearing blue glasses smiles. He is wearing a black t-shirt and is holding the edge of a large flag, which is purple, blue, green, and yellow.

It is John Storey's third time attending the parade

John Storey said he feels more people are coming out to watch the Foyle parade, which is great for the city.

A woman wearing a colourful top smiles at the camera. Next to her is a man in a short-sleeved pink shirt. He has his right arm around the woman's shoulder.

Sinn Féin cllr Sandra Duffy attended the event

Sandra Duffy, a Sinn Féin councillor for Derry City and Strabane District Council, attended the event independently.

She said it is a "fantastic day" and "great to see so many people in the city".

"When you see the Pride flag stretch the whole way of Shipquay Street, it's just amazing to see.

"I would rather be here as a member of the political party I represent, but I am here today as an individual and I was very proud to carry the flag as a proud ally."

Two men stand, smiling at the camera. They are holding hands, and one of the men has a rianbow flag. The man with the rainbow flag is wearing a white top which has the words 'THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW' written on the front. He is also wearing sunglasses and a rainbow-coloured hat. The man next to him is also wearing sunglasses, as well as a black hat and a white t-shirt. Both men have rainbow-coloured angel wings on their backs.

This year's theme is existence is resistance

The parade began at 14:00 BST from the North West Transport Hub, followed by live music and events in Guildhall Square.

Foyle Pride chairperson Jason Dunne said this year's theme, existence is resistance, is "more vital than ever, given the current climate for our community, especially our trans siblings".

"That's just like a statement to say, 'Look, we're here. We've always existed. We will continue to exist'," he told BBC Radio Foyle's Mark Patterson Show.

Jason Dunne is standing in a black T-shirt with the word 'Crew' visible in a white box. He is wearing glasses and has stubble. He is standing near to a grassy area with a number of trees visible.

Jason Dunne says so much work goes on behind the scenes to make the festival programme such a success

Foyle Pride Festival 2025 has already featured a packed schedule of events, which organisers say aims to celebrate LGBTQ+ culture and community.

One of these events was a social picnic in honour of gay rights campaigner Mark Ashton.

Mr Ashton grew up in the County Antrim town of Portrush before moving to London in 1978.

He was a leading figure in the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) group during the 1984 miners' strike.

Mr Ashton helped form the group which raised money to provide food and support for striking miners and their families. He died in 1987, aged 26.

There was also a Football v Homophobia event at the Ryan McBride Brandywell stadium.

Meabh O'Neill stands in the middle of a football pitch. An empty stand filled with red seats is in the background. A lone figure dressed in a red kit walks towards her. The woman is standing in front of a set of goals and is wearing a white football shirt with the words Foyle pride written on it.

Organiser Meabh O'Neill said the tournament was a "special and unique" event

Eighteen teams from across the north west competed in the event which tournament organiser Meabh O'Neill said was a "special and unique" event which provided "a safe space for LGBT people to try sport and enjoy sport".

Two black and white dogs with rainbow-coloured bandanas around their necks. Around them are several people.

Four-legged friends wore their best bandanas for Pride

The festival has also hosted a number of panel discussions and talks highlighting this year's theme, exploring issues of identity, activism and solidarity.

Organisers said workshops in areas ranging from embroidery to phone photography have encouraged participation and skill-sharing, while performances such as Pride Monologues showcased local talent and personal stories.

Music, comedy and nightlife events have also drawn crowds across various venues in the city.

Four people are walking on a road, holding a large white banner. On the banner are the words 'UNISON LGBT+ NORTHERN IRELAND'. There are also two rainbow flags on the banner, as well as two graphics which read 'UNISON working for LGBT+ equality'. Behind the group is a crowd who are also part of the parade.

A number of music, comedy and nightlife events have been held

In a social media post on Friday, Foyle Pride said they were "angry and disappointed" that a planned counter protest was scheduled near the parade route on Saturday.

As a result, they decided to move their family fun day event to Guildhall Square.

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