Rainbow crossing to be introduced in Offaly to coincide with Pride Month

Offaly County Council will introduce a rainbow crossing at an appropriate location in the county in a mark of solidarity with the LGBT+ community during Pride Month.

Cllr Mark Hackett raised the motion at a recent meeting of the council in recognition of the marginalised position of the LGBT+ community.

Despite a number of councillors voicing their misgivings the motion was passed without a countermotion by other members.

Cllr Hackett said that it was “a sympathetic gesture designed to raise awareness of the need of inclusivity. There are many recent examples of this around the country, including in a number of cities, Waterford being the latest.”

Cllr John Leahy opposed the motion saying: “I don't believe that the LGBT+ are marginalised. We have Pride month, we have flags in most schools. We have the flag outside the Áras when we're asked to do it. Where does this stop? As a council, surely our priorities are stronger than this. Everybody is marginalised if you break it down.”

The Independent councillor continued: “This is just crazy on a policy point of view in terms of how we operate our county. Balamory is what we're going to turn the county into.”

Cllr Tony McCormack added that he agreed with the spirit of the motion but said that using the word marginalised might be discriminatory. “I think we should probably do a bit more than just put road markings."

The Fianna Fáil councillor, referring to the LGBT+ community, said: "They're as much entitled to celebrate their month as anybody else."

Councillor John Clendennen stated: “I echo the sentiment in relation to the LGBT+ community being described as marginalised. That's the wrong way about going about inclusivity. If we're going to start describing them as marginalised we'll certainly never be fully inclusive."

The Fine Gael councillor pointed to the ramifications of introducing the rainbow crossing in terms of safety and said that they must be fully compliant in doing so.

“I think we need to be very clear here in terms of the discussion that we're having. It's about ensuring that we have a policy that is clear for every group to come to the county council and have their feelings heard and shared.”

Cllr Clendennen said that Councillor Hackett made an accusation that he was talking down the county earlier in the meeting.

“To make two accusations at the same meeting that I was speaking down the county, speaking down a specific community, I'm not going to accept that and it needs to be withdrawn. I'm not against anyone or any community in this county or in this country for that matter."

Cllr Hackett replied, saying: “I don't know what you're referring to. I never referred to you, councillor, in any way.”

Cllr Sean O'Brien seconded the motion, saying: “I fully support Cllr Hackett and the motion that is being put here and I don't think it should be deferred just because of one or two people."

The Independent councillor referred to Cllr Leahy asking when will this stop and said: “What a crazy question. When will discrimination stop? This is a council that represents the people of Offaly and the people are entitled to speak to any councillor or group of councillors and have issues brought before this council.”

Following the passing of this motion, Offaly County Council will seek to find an appropriate location for the rainbow crossing and introduce a new policy for requests from various groups or communities in the future.