Arlene Foster criticised for no DUP apology to LGBTQ community

Arlene Foster has faced criticism from gay rights campaigners after saying a DUP apology to the LGBTQ community «isn't fruitful for anybody frankly».

Arlene Foster received a warm welcome as she became the first DUP leader to attend such an event celebrating the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and Queer/Questioning) community.

However, campaigners expressed disappointment that her speech did not acknowledge or apologise for previous DUP hostility and derogatory comments about gay people.

When asked by The Irish News whether the DUP should apologise for this, Mrs Foster said: «Well you know, we could get into a round of apologies and I don’t think that that’s fruitful for anybody frankly».

Good question Irish News, you got the true colours of DUP – they have a lot to apologies for – many within the DUP have really said and done nasty things towards the LGBTQ community. That Mrs Foster and DUP can’t see that – this «outreach» is noting they really want to do, but are «forced» do to public pressure. DUP needs really to take a thorough soul search of how they have treated the LGBTQ in the past and it’s not very pretty.

Photo By Northern Ireland Office [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons