Portrush Pride: First rally a monumental moment, say organisers
- Published
People gathered on Portrush's West Strand for the town's first Pride rally on Saturday.
Organisers of Portrush's first Pride rally said they were delighted with the "monumental moment".
The hometown of gay rights campaigner Mark Ashton hosted the rally on Saturday afternoon.
Mark Ashton grew up the County Antrim town before moving to London in 1978 and was a leading figure in the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) group during the 1984 miners' strike.
He died in 1987 aged 26.
A plaque was dedicated to him in London and a garden in memory of him was built in Paris.
A campaign to erect a memorial in Portrush has been ongoing.
Plans were approved by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council in 2021 but a memorial has yet to be put in place.
Mark Ashton, pictured with friend and former Swansea East MP Sian James, died in 1987
Riley McCahon, the chairperson of the Causeway Pride committee, which was established earlier in 2023 said it was an amazing day.
"The whole point of today was to show...there's a demand for this," they said after Saturday's rally.
"A few us who spoke at the rally referred to Mark Ashton. And Jude Copeland [who led a campaign for a memorial in Mark Ashton's memory] spoke on behalf of Mark Ashton.
"Hopefully we have done him proud."
Riley McCahon said the rally was a significant step forward and wants others to feel safe in being themselves
Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle's The North West Today programme ahead of Saturday's rally, they said it was a significant step forward for Portrush to have its first Pride.
"Given that it is Mark Ashton's hometown - it seems ridiculous that there hasn't been a Pride already on the north coast," they said.
They added that the intention would be to hold a parade next year.
"Growing up as a queer person, I lived in a place where it didn't feel safe to come out and be who are you are as there was a lot of stigma," they said.
"I'm a parent and children shouldn't have to grow up that way.
"Living in closets causes a lot of damage.
"We want people to feel safe to be themselves."
Organisers addressed the crowd which gathered for Portrush's first Pride rally on Saturday
Saturday's Pride rally was held on Portrush's West Strand, followed by a wellbeing event at the town hall.
Riley said calls for the event grew following an incident in June when a suspicious item wrapped in a Pride flag was left at the home of a local councillor.
It was one of two hoax devices left outside homes.
In both cases the devices were wrapped in Pride flags.
"There has been a largely positive reception to the rally and the security alert incident did seem to spark something in people," they said ahead of the rally.
"People felt it showed why a Pride needed to happen.
"The main point of this year is to show there is public support for a Portrush Pride.
"We are hoping for an event the scale of the Derry Pride in the years to come, which attracts thousands of people."
The event got the best of Saturday's weather
'Monumental Moment'
Speaking ahead of the rally, Eve Sittlington, who is treasurer of Causeway Pride, said Saturday would be an emotional day for her.
"Portrush Pride has been a long time coming and it will be a monumental moment," she said.
"For many queer people growing up on the north coast, there weren't many resources or groups you could join - it felt very lonely and shameful for people.
"I want the LGBTIQA+ community to see there are many others standing with them.
"Hopefully, with the rally we can move closer to getting the memorial to Mark Ashton."
Eve Sittlington said she wants the LGBTIQA+ community to see there are many others standing with them
'Celebrate his legacy'
Jude Copeland led the campaign for a memorial to be erected in Mr Ashton's memory.
"What I've seen in mining villages in Yorkshire and South Wales is everyone is so keen to celebrate his legacy.
"Now Pride is finally happening in his hometown," he said ahead of the rally.
Jude Copeland said visibility is important
Mr Copeland said he had spoken to a number of retired miners and pit men, who he said knew of Mr Ashton and held him in "really high regard".
"It is still difficult for people in more rural parts of Northern Ireland to be open about their sexuality," he said.
"Visibility with events like Pride is so important."
In a statement to BBC News NI, a spokesperson for Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council said the council was developing a memorial policy.
"When agreed and implemented, the Mark Ashton memorial will progress in accordance with the policy," the statement said.
- Published30 June 2023
- Published2 June 2021
