The organisers of Derry’s annual festival for gay people say they are outraged at the owners of a local premises which is being touted as the official venue for the event.

By Eamonn Houston eamonn@derrynews.net

The Foyle Pride 2008 Committee last night issued a statement distancing itself from the website www.foylepride.com in which a well-known local premises is advertising itself as the focal point of the festival.

They say that the website is not under their control and that the events publicised are in no way related to the festival.

James Smallman, secretary of this year’s committee, said that event listings for what he described as “the real community-based festival” can be found on the official website www.foylepride.co.uk.

“All monies raised from official events will be re-invested in the community as the committee strives to provide a good start for the 2009 festival, whereas the pseudo-festival being run in direct competition provides no form of investment in the health and well-being of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transvestite community.

“We are outraged that the name Foyle Pride is being used in such a way.

“This commercial exercise is aimed solely at making money for the proprietors.

“Under normal circumstances we would have no problem with any business joining us in celebrating pride as this is common practice elsewhere, but to use the name Foyle Pride in a manner that creates confusion is nothing short of disgraceful.

“We do not and cannot endorse these premises,” Mr Smallman added.

“The gay community here deserves quality service, in a safe environment.

“The committee will be contacting Derry City Council and passing on the complaints we have received as well as passing on the concerns of the committee itself.

“We will be urging council to investigate these complaints thoroughly and as a matter of urgency.

“Further to this, we have advised those bringing complaints to us to contact the relevant authorities directly.”