POLITICIANS who backed a Stormont ban on puberty blockers have been told they are not welcome to attend pride parades in Derry and the north coast.
It comes after a decision in December by all four parties in the Stormont Executive to implement an indefinite ban.
In a statement, the organisers of Foyle Pride said: “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.”
🚨 FOYLE PRIDE ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨 Pride has always been a protest—a fight for our rights, our dignity and our lives. Foyle...
Posted by Foyle Pride on Wednesday, February 12, 2025
They said this includes no party banners in the parade or political party adverts in their programme, as well as the city’s mayor not being invited.
They added the decision extended 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,” they said.
Vowing to no longer “tolerate empty words,” the organisers said: “Pride belongs to the people – not politicians who betray us.”
The chair of Causeway Pride, Riley McCahon, told the BBC: “The LGBTQIA+ community deserves more than virtue signalling—we deserve equality, respect, and protection under the law.
“Stop using us as a bargaining chip in your political games. - it’s time to show up for us when it matters, not just when it looks good.”
Speaking to the BBC, the Green Party leader in Northern Ireland – Mal O’Hara – said other pride committees in Mid and East Antrim and Causeway had same similar decisions.
Adding that there was “a divergence of views amongst the community on this issue,” he said “we will see what Belfast pride do next.”
Belfast Lord Mayor and Alliance councillor Micky Murray commented that “no one” would prevent him from attending the parade in Belfast.
“I proudly led the Belfast Pride march last year, as the first openly gay Lord Mayor of Belfast,” he said on social media.
Puberty blockers suppress the release of hormones for young people who question their gender.
Before March 2020, puberty blockers were only prescribed on the NHS for children being treated by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Gender Identity Service.
It is reported that children already being cared for by the service will continue to receive the treatment.
It will also still be available for children being treated for early onset puberty.
