OMAGH PRIDE

THE FIRST ONE

‘NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO

leave home to be themselves’ says Omagh native Gareth Lee, a long standing member of Queerspace NI, who left the town in the early 1990s. On Saturday 25th September, history will be made when Omagh hosts its first ever Pride parade. The 500 capacity event is sold out and has reached its fundraising goal.

The idea formed in May 2021 when two friends, poet Cat Brogan (36) and community organisier Lorraine Montague (34) were discussing ways to build a creative, queer community in their hometown. Both had lived most of their adult lives outside Omagh and like many, chose to come back home as a result of COVID. A Pride Parade seemed a great place to start and a way for the whole town to celebrate diversity, inclusion and equality.

After a feature in the local paper, an open Zoom meeting was called in June, attended by over 30 individuals and representatives from LGBT groups, political parties and NGOs. Six meetings later and Omagh’s first Pride is confirmed, thanks to overwhelming support locally, the dedication of volunteers and generous donations from the public. A full line up of performers and speakers includes Derry based, all female, queer band Cherym whose song featured in the closing credits of the Irish LGBT film ‘Dating Amber’. A representative from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s LGBT+ network will address the crowd from a trailer stage in South West College car park. The Rainbow Project will be represented by Dean Lee who as well as being a Counsellor has also set up NI’s only BAME specific LGBTQI+ group. Local speakers include trade union activist Amy Ferguson, transwoman Chantelle Mitchell, Anti Gay Conversion Therapy campaigner Oisin Donnelly and yoga teacher Marella Fyffe.

The event will be hosted by Omagh pride organiser and poetry slam champion Cat Brogan, who has been hosting queer cabaret events in London and Malaysia for over a decade. Drag will be provided by Trudy’s All Stars winner 2021, Holly Go’Heavily and Magherafelt born, Cookstown based Alexis Cox, founder of NI’s first Rainbow Pageant. Dungiven born Shannon of Sister Ghost, who won ”Best Live Act” in the NI Music Awards 2019 said ‘I’m really pleased to have been invited to perform at the first ever Omagh Pride Festival. As a queer person raised in a rural community I realise the importance of championing LGBTQ+ rights directly in our localities, not just in the main NI cities.’

Other musical acts include psychedelic rock, indie folk and jazzy blues multi-instrumentalist Comrade Hat. He commented that ‘having grown up gay in small town NI where LGBTQ voices were all but absent, Omagh Pride is an amazing testament to how things are slowly changing for the better here and to the vision and commitment of the organisers.’ Derry act Foreign Owl sees it as ‘absolutely vital, for the happiness and safety of every beautiful human, that LGBTQ+ Pride becomes commonplace in every city, town, community and conversation, and Omagh Pride is a ball that gets it rolling!’ Mid Ulster, Newry and Enniskillen Prides have paved the way for Omagh and the organisers hope that this is just the beginning of co-creating queer communities in small, rural towns. Omagh based Adolescent Psychotherapist, Bronagh Starrs commented that ‘discrimination directly influences wellbeing, which is why young LGBTQI people suffer disproportionately with mental health issues. In Omagh on Saturday 25 September we have a wonderful opportunity to mobilise, actively show that it’s OK to be who you are. Consider what a life-giving message your presence will make to a struggling teenager.’

Co-founder Cat Brogan said ‘As a queer person growing up, I didn’t have any representation and I felt I needed to hide who I truly was. Doing this dimmed my spirit, and over time, it was damaging. I left Omagh and moved to London, where I could be openly queer. Omagh Pride shows people they can be who they are in their hometown; it proves that the community accepts them. It will form and strengthen connections based on compassion and empathy, while sending everyone the message that LGBTQ people are loved - wholly and unconditionally.’

The march will gather from 2pm at the South West College car park, leave at 3pm to pass through the town centre before returning to the college at 4pm for performances and speakers until 6pm. It is limited to 500 participants due to Covid regulations, and social distancing will be observed.

People can join the waiting list for tickets at bit.ly/ omaghpride and donate via bit.ly/omaghpridefund. A livestream of the event will be broadcast on Omagh Pride’s social media channels. Anyone who wants to support the event is encouraged to get in touch via omaghpride@gmail.com or @Omaghpride on social media.