Portrush, the hometown of gay rights campaigner Mark Ashton, will host its first Pride rally on Saturday.
By Elaine McGeeThe hometown of gay rights campaigner Mark Ashton will host its first Pride rally on Saturday.He was a leading figure in the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners group during the 1984 miners' strike.
"Given that it is Mark Ashton's hometown - it seems ridiculous that there hasn't been a Pride already on the north coast.""Growing up as a queer person, I lived in a place where it didn't feel safe to come out and be who are you are as there was a lot of stigma," they said."Living in closets causes a lot of damage.The Pride rally will be held on Portrush's West Strand and afterwards there will be a well-being event at Portrush Town Hall.
"For many queer people growing up on the north coast, there weren't many resources or groups you could join - it felt very lonely and shameful for people."Hopefully, with the rally we can move closer to getting the memorial to Mark Ashton."Jude Copeland led the campaign for a memorial to be erected in Mr Ashton's memory.
Mr Copeland said he has spoken to a number of retired miners and pit men, whom he said know of Mark Ashton and hold him in "really high regard".
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