Equality minister to visit Waterford after pride flags burned in city

Roderic O'Gorman said people want a 'compassionate' country, speaking after 'Straight Pride' posters were erected and replacement flags were also cut down.

Damien Geoghegan, mayor of Waterford. Picture: Waterford City & County Council

The Minister for Equality Roderic O'Gorman is to visit LGBTQ+ groups in Waterford after a number of incidents which local activists have described as "heartbreaking".

Flags were removed and set alight last week and, when re-flown by the Mayor of Waterford and activists, they were later cut down again from council buildings on the Mall.

The latest incident occurred on Wednesday when posters advocating 'Straight Pride' appeared in the city. The image, which depicts a man and a woman, carries the caption: "It’s natural, it's worked for thousands of years and you can make babies”.

A man in his 40s has been arrested and charged with a count of criminal damage in relation to the first incident of flag removal. He is due to appear at Waterford District Court on 6 July.

Mr O'Gorman said Irish people want to live in a "compassionate" country and that he is looking forward to raising the Pride flag following incidents targeting the city's community.

A number of buildings have begun flying the rainbow colours since the initial removal, following calls from Pride of the Déise and local radio stations WLR FM and Beat 102-103, with University Hospital Waterford and City Hall the latest to join this week.

Equality Minister Roderic O'Gorman, who will visit the city. File Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Mr O'Gorman said: “I’m delighted to be visiting Waterford, a city that for so long has shown such strong support for the LGBTI+ community. Irish people want to live in a compassionate, progressive, and caring country, where everyone is valued and included. Pride of the Déise exemplify that, and I look forward to raising the Pride flag with them.” 

The visit has been welcomed by the group, which had raised the rainbow flag alongside Mayor of Waterford Damien Geoghegan.

"We really welcome the minister's support because it sends a clear message," member Debbie O'Rourke said. 

"It would be foolish to say that there's no homophobia in Ireland, but it won't be tolerated and we are moving forward as a country and will see an end to homophobia and transphobia."

She added that there is increasing concern at the incidents and called for a strong rebuke from community groups in the city: "LGBT people exist. We're not going back, we're not going to be intimidated.

"We are concerned because it can get so unpredictable and we would be concerned for people's safety now. Community leaders across the board, from sports clubs to religious groups, should show their support and be public about it."

Mr O'Gorman has been invited by Waterford Green Party TD Marc Ó Cathasaigh, who said the opponents of Pride demonstrations are "small and anonymous voices" which don't speak for Waterford.

"We have always been an open, inclusive and progressive city," he said. 

"The actions of a narrow-minded few only re-emphasise the importance of Pride. I admire and support the work of the Pride of the Déise festival, and I stand with them."