The organisers of Lurgan’s first Pride parade say they were inspired by the wave of ‘first prides’ happening across the north.
Hundreds gathered in Lurgan at the weekend to celebrate the first ever Pride parade to be held in the Co Armagh town, with around 300 to 400 people believed to have been in attendance.
Lurgan Pride is the latest in a series of ‘first Prides’ to be held right around the north, including Co Fermanagh’s first Pride last month, and follows the announcement that Ballymena is set to host its first ever Pride next year.
More: History to be made at first ever Pride event to take place in Ballymena
Speaking to The Irish News, Pádraig Cairns, Committee Member for Lurgan Pride, said: “Seeing it happen in Fermanagh, seeing it happen in Mid Ulster, the planned one in Ballymena – it’s so inspirational and they’ve all reached out and offered support and it’s been really lovely.”
He said that the first Pride in Lurgan was important as an “expression of community acceptance and diversity in your own town” and recalled attendees sharing their “heartwarming” personal stories.
“There was an older gentleman who came up to me and said he left Lurgan 36 years ago because he grew up gay and was receiving homophobic abuse and bullying, so he moved away,” Pádraig said.
“He said this was the first time he could come back to his hometown and be proud of who he was and not be afraid.”
Pádraig added that he and the committee were “on a high” from how well the event went - it included a parade on a pedestrianised Carnegie Street and a range of other activities including informational stalls, craft fairs and drag bingo.
Despite a small counter-protest, the committee said they would “not let the negativity” stop them.
