DERRY JOURNAL Editorial: Challenging homophobia and standing together with Pride

There have been numerous stories carried in this paper and others down the years of people in the LGBTQ community being subjected to vile taunts and acts of extreme violence. And those are just the people who felt able to speak out.

Statistics from the PSNI show that over the two year period to June 2019, there were over 550 homophobic incidents and a further 77 transphobic incidents recorded by police in the north of Ireland. And the figures last year had increased on the previous year. Anyone who thought such incidents were consigned to history would be sorely mistaken.

Normally at this time of year thousands would be looking forward to gathering in the city centre to join in or witness the celebrations and riot of colour that characterises the annual Foyle Pride march every August. That collective act of solidarity is worth a lot to the LGBTQ community in the north west. The way the festival has grown and is embraced shows that Derry is a place of diversity, a city that welcomes, celebrates and stands with fellow citizens and visitors who happen to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans. At least the majority here do. There are however still those who will snigger up their sleeves, or who rail against people expressing the most natural thing in the world - love.

Combatting homophobia starts with education, be that in the home, in the classroom, on the street, playground, pulpit or playing field.

Homophobic slurs are still used freely today to bully, insult or demean people, whether they are gay or not. And the culprits often get away with it. It remains pervasive and unless it is challenged at every turn, then such attacks will never be consigned to the past where they belong.

And that is why the Pride march and festival - athough it will this year be delivered in a different format to keep everyone safe - remains every bit as important today as it was when the movement started.