Foyle Pride ban for NI politicians over puberty blocker vote
In December, the four parties in the Northern Ireland Executive, voted to introduce an indefinite permanent ban on the sale to anyone under the age of 18.
Puberty blockers work by suppressing the release of hormones and can be prescribed to children questioning their gender.
In a statement on social media, Foyle Pride said the event "belongs to the people—not politicians who betray us", adding it stands with " our trans siblings who have been abandoned."
"Foyle Pride is not just a celebration; it is a statement of resistance," the statement said.
It added: "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.
"This decision also extends to parties that remained silent when trans lives were under attack."
Last year thousands of people took part in Pride events in Londonderry as part of the festival's ten-day run, culminating in a parade through Derry city centre.
Over the last 30 years it has grown to become one of the largest of Northern Ireland's Pride festivals.
Foyle Pride said the decision will mean no party banners in the annual parade, no political advertising in the festival programme and no official messages from the mayor.
The city's mayor will not be invited to attend any pride event, and there will be no "platform for those who continuously fail to stand up for trans people," Foyle Pride said.
It added: "Foyle Pride is and always will be, a community-led, grassroots movement that stands with all queer people, especially our trans siblings who have been abandoned by those in power."
Meanwhile the leader of the Green Party in Northern Ireland said the Executive parties have never progressed equality for the LGBT+ community.
"Pride is about liberation and equality," O'Hara told BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show.
"It is a protest, it started as a riot, and it is about political progress for out community. We have been betrayed by the Executive parties.
Mr O'Hara said the decision in Foyle follows similar moves by Pride committees in Mid and East Antrim and in Causeway who have banned some of the Executive parties.
He said it was important organisers of pride events in other parts of Northern Ireland "have the discussion".
"There is a divergence of views amongst the community on this issue... Let our Pride organisations make that decision… we will see what Belfast pride do next," he said.
Until the ban in Northern Ireland, puberty blockers were only available on NHS prescription for under-18s, for those young people who were accepted onto the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Gender Identity Service endocrine pathway prior to March 2020.
It is understood children already on this medical pathway will continue to receive treatment.
Hormone suppressors also remain available for patients receiving the drugs for other uses, such as early-onset puberty.
The move to ban puberty blockers came after a report into children's gender services - the Cass Review - said there were "gaps in evidence" around the drugs.
The review was led by leading paediatrician Dr Hilary Cass and prompted the last government to ban the use of puberty blockers for under-18s questioning their gender – a move which was then supported by Labour when they won the election.
Puberty blockers to be banned indefinitely in NI
What does trans mean and what is the Cass review?
Thousands attend Foyle Pride in Derry
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
What does no politics in the classroom mean? Ford government's directive has created fear and confusion, say parents and teachers
A temporary ban on students sharing their family's culture in class. A parent-organized Pride event moved outside school hours. Teachers afraid to answer students' questions around the Israel-Hamas war . Over the past academic year, Toronto parents and teachers say activities and discussions that would typically be normal to have in the classroom have suddenly become a source of fear and confusion — and they pin the blame on an edict dropped by the Ontario government last September. Ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks, then-education minister Jill Dunlop issued a memo to Ontario school boards to keep 'political biases' out of the classroom to ensure these spaces remain 'safe, inclusive and welcoming for all students and staff.' It came as the Toronto District School Board and other boards asked for guidance on addressing hate and geopolitical tensions in schools amid a rise in antisemitism, Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian discrimination since October 2023. But the ministry's memo doesn't define what it considers 'political biases' — nor would the ministry provide a definition when asked directly by the Star — and many worry the lack of specificity will affect how Toronto's public schools handle certain topics, as administrators and educators try to figure out what is and isn't allowed. Can civic lessons on who is prime minister continue as normal? What about sex-ed lessons on different genders and sexualities? Class discussions around race? 'Nothing is neutral,' said Carl James, a professor and the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora at York University. 'The curriculum cannot be seen as outside of providing and producing a way of seeing things.' The Star has previously reported on incidents when the TDSB has used the ministry's directive to block certain field trips and movie screenings , and censor parts of high school yearbooks . These cases involved matters related to Palestine — along with activities and discussions around Israel and Tibet — reflecting broader concerns the province's directive has largely been used to shut down conversations on the topic. For its part, the TDSB said in an emailed statement to the Star that 'The Ministry directive applies broadly to any school or classroom activity, outside the established curriculum.' But, the board said it does not have a 'specific definition' for what constitutes a political bias. The Star spoke with several TDSB parents and teachers, many of whom did not want their names published due to fears of reprisal from the board and other parents. They recounted stories over the past year of their children feeling afraid or being reprimanded for bringing up certain topics, and educators feeling unable to fully support their students in the classroom. Not everyone is opposed to the directive, however, with some saying the classroom is not a place for discussions around international politics, with one parent in support of the edict adding that educators could still teach students about civics, queer issues and Indigenous history without bringing up politics. When a public speaking competition was coming up at the elementary school of Zoë Wool's child this past year, the west-end parent said students were invited to write a short speech on an important issue. But when Wool's child wanted to talk about Palestine, she said they were told it was 'not a good idea.' Wool said the incident came around the same time the school's principal allegedly put a blanket ban on students sharing their culture in class — but that the ban was later lifted after the principal met with parents. Neither Wool nor her child is Palestinian (they are Jewish), but she worries about the impact the ministry's memo will have on those who are. 'Palestinian families are being given the message by the Ministry of Education that there is something wrong or dangerous or problematic about their very identity and history and that acknowledging their existence puts other kids at risk,' Wool said. If students don't feel safe in the classroom, they become disengaged and less interested in learning, according to Todd Cunningham, a psychology professor at the U of T's Ontario Institute for Studies of Education. This is particularly true if a student feels their identity is being ignored or brushed aside. 'If you are fearful that what you talk about or if you bring up your lived experience in class is going to evoke a negative reaction, then you go quiet or you go defensive,' he said, adding students might experience more anxiety in these situations. Palestinian teachers who spoke to the Star said they, too, felt constrained by the province's edict, even when students ask them questions about their heritage. The watermelon and Palestinian flag pins on the Palestinian teacher's fanny pack. The elementary school educator said she's afraid to answer student questions around the pins. 'I'm too scared,' said a Palestinian TDSB elementary teacher, who explained how she doesn't answer her young students' questions on what the Palestinian flag and watermelon pins attached to her fanny pack represent. The Star agreed to not name the teacher due to her fears of being reprimanded by the TDSB. 'It's truly awful that in a learning environment, I can't freely talk about a country,' she continued. In its emailed statement to the Star, the TDSB said it respects the identities of all its students and staff, and also adheres to the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 'Creating inclusive and supportive learning environments for all students of all identities continues to be our priority,' the board wrote, adding that any concerned parents or caregivers should contact their school's principal. The Ministry of Education did not answer a list of specific questions sent by the Star, instead sending a previous statement defending its edict. 'Schools should be focused on educating students and helping them graduate with strong reading, writing and math skills that lead to good-paying jobs,' Emma Testani, press secretary for Education Minister Paul Calandra, wrote in the emailed statement. Meanwhile Josh Landau, Ontario's director for government relations at the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, voiced support for the directive, pointing to a recent report from the federal government on growing concerns of antisemitism in Ontario's K-12 schools. 'When bias goes unchecked, it directly impacts the safety and security of all students,' Landau wrote in an emailed statement. However, those critical of the directive believe the vague language around what constitutes a bias could end up harming students, particularly those from marginalized communities. One such critic, elementary school parent Alice Romo, pointed to the fact that a parent-organized Pride event at her child's school last month felt derailed by the ministry's directive. The event, held every June, typically involves parents bringing in chalk for students to draw art and write LGBTQ-friendly messages on the pavement during class. Rainbow freezie pops are also involved — a treat that the kids always look forward to and that add to the end-of-year excitement, according to Romo. But this year the event was held outside of school hours. 'It did feel like we had to strategically manoeuvre around policies,' Romo said. (She noted that the school's principal said the day after the event that the chalk art could stay, even though it was unclear to her if the event violated the directive at all.) Although students are off on summer break, Romo still worries the ministry's directive will continue to affect her child's learning, pointing to lessons around Canada's colonial history for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in September. 'Are we going to have to be watering things down and maybe not talk about things as explicitly as we would previously?' she said. 'It feels like we're taking a step backwards.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Bloomberg
UK's Greens Face Battle Over Populism in Leadership Race
Three candidates are battling to become the next leader of the UK's Green Party. They agree Britain's increasingly fractured political landscape creates an opportunity — but are divided on how to seize it. Members of Parliament Ellie Chowns and Adrian Ramsay, who are running on a joint ticket, embody the Greens' traditional ethos of inclusiveness, equality and cooperation. Up against them is Zack Polanski, who wants to win over voters alienated by the 'woke language' of the left by playing the populist right at their own game.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
'Make America Gay Again': Amsterdam pride gets political
Thousands of people gathered for Amsterdam Pride march on Saturday in a festive and political mood, stressing the need to defend LGBTQI+ rights increasingly under threat around the world. Organised by the Pride Amsterdam foundation, the march kicked off a week of festivities in the Dutch capital, which culminates next weekend in a huge parade on the city's famous canals. "We have an amazing pride, because it's on the canals, it's very unique, so it's very famous," said Ben Thomas from Amsterdam, current holder of the title Mister Bear 2024, awarded to men with luxuriant facial hair. "People are not so aware about the march, because it has turned into too much of a party and does not so much focus on why we do it," added the 44-year-old, who teaches young refugees. "We're not just here to party, but we're here to be equal citizens. We're here for our rights!" Decked out in dashing and brightly coloured clothes, the demonstrators marched through the city centre in festive mood, brandishing rainbows or banners reading "Make America Gay Again" or "Protect the Dolls" -- a reference to the rights of transgender women. "It's important to be here, to show up. With all the stuff that's going on in the world, it's getting really scary, especially in America," said Dani van Duin, a 44-year-old IT specialist who identifies as a lesbian woman. Since his return to power, US President Donald Trump has rolled back many rights enjoyed by transgender people. But the situation is also becoming less comfortable even in the Netherlands, said Van Duin. "People are just repeating hate speech from the right wing, and they don't think anymore," she told AFP. Lina van Dinther, a 21-year-old student, came to march with two friends and celebrate her transgender identity. "And also to hopefully improve the transgender situation in the Netherlands," she added, draped in a blue, pink, and white flag that represents her community. The young woman said the waiting list for a clinic offering transition surgery can be as much as six years. "It's a pressing issue that needs to be addressed," she told AFP. At the end of the march, in Amsterdam's leafy Vondelpark, Frederique Emmerig, dressed in a summery dress, looks around her in wonder. "In my city, I feel like I'm the only one. It's very lonely." Pride marches are organised in many global cities around the world, linked to the Stonewall riots which erupted in New York in June 1969, the founding mobilisation of the LGBTQI+ movement. sh/ric/gv
