Fermanagh Pride: Walking the path of hope and love

This Saturday, September 7, as they embark on Enniskillen’s first Pride parade, every step will echo with the symbolism of a journey long overdue — a walk that, though brief in measure, will span the breadth of voices finally heard.

One committee member, Molly Leonard, a trans woman from Enniskillen, described it as “the biggest walk I will probably ever take in my life.”

She said: “It'll be so monumental. It’s the fact that it's happening, that all eyes will be on us, and that some of my family members will be there. That walk, for me, initially, will feel like the longest walk, the biggest walk I will probably ever take in my life.”

Explaining her journey to this point, Molly said: “I came out as transgender during Covid. I was born male and transitioned to female, and that has probably been one of the most difficult things I've ever done in my life.

“It’s one thing to come out as a different sexuality, but it’s another thing to turn around to your family and say: ‘You know that person you’ve known all your life? Well, they’re going to disappear now, and I’m here.’

“That was a lot to grapple with. In the media, especially, trans people at the moment are getting a bad rap, and it’s reminiscent of how it was in the 70s and 80s for gay and lesbian people. It seems like that rhetoric has come back. In another 10-20 years, it could be a completely different group altogether.

“For me, as a trans woman, I just want to live my life. I don't want any barriers put up, and I don’t want to be taking rights away from anybody else."

She continued: “I just want to have a life where I can wake up in the morning and feel safe, and know that if anything ever does happen to me, I will be seen as a woman, and that’s all I really want.”

Co-chairperson Shauna Deeney says that she and her partner, Geraldine McGovern, the group's well-being officer, have “never had any issues” while walking up Enniskillen’s main street holding hands.

Shauna lives in Fermanagh but grew up in County Donegal. She, too, is looking forward to the parade: “It’s massive, it’s nice to see, especially for me, coming from a town of 500 people, where there was only one other gay person. There have been a couple of struggles but nothing too bad.

“It’s still illegal in many countries and punishable by death to be gay. We are protesting for them. It’s not just about being accepted here.”

Looking forward to the event, she said: “I can’t wait for people to actually see there is space for our community. There’s a safe space for kids everywhere, and adults. It is so hard for them to come out in small areas.

“I’ve seen that a lot, where people can’t be themselves and it took them years to come out. It’s horrible. They should just be allowed to be who they are. We’re in a society now, in 2024, where you can be yourself.”

She believes that Saturday will be an emotional day.

The committee members have all agreed that visibility is highly important for a group such as Fermanagh Pride. They are one of a number of Pride groups that will hold their first parade in 2024.

Secretary Nigel Wiltshire said: “We will be in the streets [in Enniskillen] and that is a very good thing. Visibility is incredibly important. It’s about raising awareness that, of course, queer people exist, and that includes everybody under the LGBT acronym.

“From my most recent conversations with the minority of minorities within our community, the trans and intersex folks, they tend to be the most underrepresented and need the most help.”

He added: “There is still a great deal of work to do to help people who are in very vulnerable situations for their mental health and well-being.”

Nigel said that the group have been inspired by other rural Pride groups, including the Omagh Pride parade, which held its fourth parade earlier this year, and the Donegal Bay Pride group, which held its first parade in Bundoran earlier this year.

Outreach is also a key part of the Fermanagh Pride group. Nigel and Geraldine participated in a Freshers' Fayre at South West College and received a strong response.

Geraldine explained: “There were a lot of young adults who were really keen to see what Fermanagh Pride has to offer and to attend events.

“They really wanted a Pride parade and a Pride day, because they just want to feel accepted.”

She added that the group have also received positive support from the parents of LGBT people: “We’ve had parents coming to us, delighted that we’re actually here.

“Everyone deserves to have a space. Everyone deserves to be accepted and feel proud of who they are. And if people don’t get that within their own home lives, they deserve a space somewhere else where they can.”

The group has faced some negative feedback and criticism. At the time of writing, the Parades Commission website states that there are four registered protests for Saturday’s parade, but the group will not be deterred.

Social media has also seen some “hateful comments” regarding the upcoming events.

Geraldine said: “It is hurtful. The individuals making those comments don’t know us; they don’t know us on an individual or personal level. If they just gave two minutes of their time to get to know us and what we are doing, they might change their minds and see that all we’re trying to do is bring change to Fermanagh.

“We are human and good people who want to bring change to Fermanagh. We just want people to feel accepted in their own town.

“We are not going to engage with the negativity. We are here for the right reasons, we are proud of who we are. We’re here because we simply deserve to be here, and that’s it.”

There is a strong belief among the group that Saturday is about activism. Adam Machmer, the group’s events co-ordinator, is an ally who expects a show of solidarity given the LGBT+ community's support of other causes.

He said: “I had already been an activist for years before, and no matter where I went, whether it was environmental rights, anti-racist movements, or supporting workers on strike, I always met people from the LGBT community standing up for everyone’s rights.”

Encouraging the public to attend the parade and events throughout the weekend, Molly said: “In the world we live in, sometimes it can be bleak and dull, and there’s such bad news every day. We just want to give people a day away from all of that. You can come and have a laugh, bring the kids with you. There’s going to be plenty for everybody, whether you’re LGBT or not.”

Geraldine added: “We have a lot of voluntary organisations coming to the event. I suppose some of them will be providing information, signposting services, and things like that.

“We are a Pride organisation. We do not offer services to people, but we do know services that can.”

The Fermanagh Pride group are grateful for the support and sponsorship of a number of local businesses and groups, which have allowed this weekend's events to happen. They wish to thank Encirc, Balcas, Pilgrim’s Food Masters, Enniskillen BID, The National Lottery, Unison, and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.

Adam added: “The people we have contacted have been very supportive. It makes a big difference to what you can and can’t do.”

Pride celebrations will begin tomorrow [Friday, September 6] with a fundraising coffee morning for Mermaids at the Aisling Centre from 10 am to 12 noon, and a screening of the film ‘Pride’ at the Enniskillen Hotel by Fermanagh Film Club at 8 pm.

The parade will begin at 12:30 pm from the FIND Centre, East Bridge Street, and will travel to Enniskillen Castle via Townhall Street, Church Street, Darling Street, and Castle Street.

From 1 pm at Enniskillen Castle, there will be a range of entertainment on offer, including live performances featuring a Lady Gaga tribute act, stalls and other activities. Speeches will also be given by organisers. Evening activities will include karaoke at J.T. Ryan’s Bar from 5 pm and a drag performance by SPLAT, featuring local drag queen Noeleen Beef (Mark Mulligan from Donagh), followed by a disco at the Devenish Bar from 8pm.

For further details on Fermanagh Pride, contact fermanaghpride@gmail.com.