University College Cork (UCC) has become the first third-Level institution in the country to erect a permanent pride flag on campus.

Following months of work by the UCC SU LGBT Rights Officer, Rob Cas, and UCC Students’ Union President, Mark Stanton, the flag was erected on top of the Student Union building at UCC.

While temporary pride flags have been flown in campuses around the country during special events, this is the first time that the flag will be a permanent fixture on a college campus in Ireland. The flag is the first step in UCC Students’ Union Pride in your College initiative.

“The purpose behind the flag is to show every single student in UCC that as a student’s union we take pride in every student regardless of sexual orientation or gender,” said Rob Cas, UCCSU LGBT*Q Rights Officer.

“The flag will hopefully have a tremendous impact on all students making them more conscious of issues that affect LGBT students and of course increase awareness and support for the upcoming referendum on Marriage Equality,” he concluded.