A request from Lurgan Pride to finish its 2025 parade in a public park has faced opposition from local councillors. At an ABC Environmental Services committee meeting on Tuesday, May 6, DUP and TUV representatives cited the recent UK Supreme Court ruling, which does not currently apply in Northern Ireland, in relation to toilet usage, and one alderman also expressed concern over the possible presence of drag queens, “scantily-clad women and men”, and blasphemous language on banners and posters.

Lurgan Pride submitted its request on August 16, explaining that it is a “local-run community group whose aim is to promote and celebrate Pride”. Established in 2024, it hopes to build on last year’s event in Carnegie Street “by holding a parade through the town centre, finishing in Lurgan Park”.

At its endpoint, the organisation wants to have a stage for live music and speeches from members of Northern Irish LGBTQ+ charities and local trade union movements. According to the agenda item, Lurgan Pride anticipates the event will attract up to 350 people.

Alderman Stephen Moutray (DUP, Lurgan DEA) was one of the committee members who opposed the request. He referred to a Facebook post shared by Lurgan Pride on March 13 that confirmed it is excluding Northern Ireland Executive parties who agreed to an indefinite ban on puberty blockers for under 18s.

“In October last year, this organisation for the first time held in Lurgan a small parade in the town centre, and if you had excluded folk from some of the political parties, there really wasn’t a great deal of interest,” Moutray claimed, noting that these are the same parties “who will make this decision as to whether (Lurgan Pride) can access the park or not.”

He added: “Previous parades of this type have attracted drag queens, scantily-clad women and men, banners and posters using extreme and sometimes blasphemous language.

“In light of that, I cannot support this and I will oppose it. I say that regretfully, because I don’t want to stop anyone from using the park, but I do not think it’s appropriate for a family setting, on a summer Saturday afternoon, and I propose accordingly.”

Cllr Keith Ratcliffe (TUV, Cusher DEA) sided with Moutray, saying he personally doesn’t “agree with the movement”.

“The paper before us says that the speakers will come from the LGBTQIA charities. There’s nothing in this information before us to make clear where these organisations stand in terms of the recent ruling of the Supreme Court,” he said, even though the ruling does not apply in Northern Ireland.

“Will those in attendance be advised that the female council toilets are only for the use of biological females?

“Now, I realise there’s going to be a review from the Equality Commission, and I would expect that the council will go with the judgement for all facilities on that ruling. Unless or until we have clarity on the preservation of female-only spaces, I do not believe as a council we can rubber-stamp this, so I am opposed to this,” Ratcliffe concluded.

Alderman Paul Greenfield also seconded Mountray’s proposal.

Cllr Keith Haughian (Sinn Féin, Lurgan DEA) expressed concern over the legalities of opposing Lurgan Pride’s request to finish the parade in the park from an equality point of view. He also said, “I was going to make a comment about the fact we don’t have decent public toilets in Lurgan Park, but I think I’ll park that for now,” which sparked laughter in the chamber.

After the question was raised about the legal implications of the matter, Committee Chair Alderman Margaret Tinsley paused the meeting to seek clarification. After 38 minutes, the recess ended, and Mountray deferred his proposal to full council on May 27, “until further legal advice is taken”.

After the meeting, Cllr Peter Lavery (Alliance, Lurgan DEA) said, “It was deeply concerning to see elected representatives from the DUP and TUV attempt to exclude Lurgan Pride from accessing council facilities.

“Pride events offer people the chance to celebrate who they are and how they love. Allowing access to council facilities is the least we can do to recognise the valuable contribution LGBTQ+ citizens make to our borough.

“Alliance is proud to support equality and inclusion for everyone in our society, and looks forward to supporting the event when it comes before council.”