Alliance Causeway Councillor Chris McCaw has said he is “very disappointed” that the DUP group decided to walk out of a council discussion on flying the Rainbow flag for Belfast Pride festival this year.

Councillor McCaw said: “Flying a rainbow flag for one day from Council headquarters would be a small yet very significant gesture towards the LGBT community in the Borough. Whether people choose to accept it or not, LGBT citizens live, work and love in this area. Earlier this week, my party successfully convinced Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council to fly a rainbow flag at the end of July for Belfast Pride. The world is changing.”

The only openly LGBT member of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, and one of very few openly gay politicians in Northern Ireland, Chris continued: “Growing up gay can be a lonely experience. We should do everything we can do to show our LGBT family, friends and neighbours that they are respected and valued in our society. Belfast Pride festival gets bigger every year, showing the depth of public support for LGBT people, and this would have been our council’s opportunity to show that support too.

“I am very sad, and actually quite hurt, that such a large number of my colleagues decided to walk out rather than even discuss the issue. I would ask them to consider what message this sends to their LGBT family members, friends and constituents.”