One of the founders of the Omagh Pride event has spoken of the ‘immense impact’ of the event on the town as it prepares for its second year.
Proud Omagh native Cat Brogan was one of the faces behind the inaugural event which took place in the Co Tyrone town last year, and is back again to deliver what she believes will be a ‘bigger and better’ parade to celebrate the rights of LGBT people.
Thousands of people are expected to take to the streets of Omagh on Saturday, with former X factor contestant and homegrown talent Janet Devlin to headline the concert following the parade.
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When asked about what impact the event has had on her hometown, the part-time poet had to take a brief pause to reflect.
“I think the impact has been immense. I feel a wee bit emotional even trying to answer that question,” Cat told Belfast Live.
“ Omagh is not an easy town to be from. Sometimes you can feel very left behind in Omagh and it can feel like there aren’t a lot of options and opportunities in your hometown.
“There’s also not a lot of opportunities for people who want to come in and repopulate the West.
“Having Omagh Pride here really showed people that yes, they are welcome here and there’s also a community that they can be part of.
“That sense of belonging, camaraderie and a bit of craic - those are things that keep you in a place and make you feel like this is where I want to be.
“I feel like Omagh Pride has had a huge impact on making people feel like they belong in the town.”
Despite that impact however, there is still a small percentage of the local population who are not so keen to see the rainbow flags rolling into town.
A protest parade by Christian fundamentalist group United Christian Witness is due to take place in Omagh on the same day.
Cat added: “There’s still that element there of people who don’t accept LGBT people in our community so it’s important that we have this day to show them that we are in the majority.
“This is a day to celebrate and welcome people to our town and it’s not about hate or animosity or any sort of antagonistic activity.
“We’ve had discussions with PSNI as to if it includes any hate speech or the volume is disruptive that will be dealt with by them.
“It’s about LGBT people in rural areas being able to have the same rights as everybody else, and healing a lot of the historic injustice that people in this area have experienced.
“Omagh Pride is so important because it shows what happens when a group of people get together and make their town the place they want to see, and not be hanging around waiting on any politicians to do it for them.”
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The main parade will set off from the South West College at 2pm, with a longer route this year taking in the courthouse, John Street, Church Street, George’s Street, High Street and Bridge Street.
Cat paid tribute to those who have volunteered their time to make the event a reality.
“We’re back bigger and better this year, last year we were constrained a bit with Covid but this year there’s no need for tickets and everyone is welcome to come.
“Last year was just so last minute, we managed to pull it off but this year we had a lot more of a run up to it.
“We’ve got such a great team together, people have come out of the woodwork to help out and we’re just so grateful for that.”
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