23/05/2025
New Stained Glass Window Honouring LGBTQ+ Community Unveiled
Belfast City Council has unveiled a new stained glass window at City Hall, marking the significant contributions of the city's LGBTQ+ community.
The vibrant window, designed in partnership with community representatives, depicts pivotal moments in the development of LGBTQ+ rights and history.
Located on the ground floor of City Hall, the artwork received cross-party support for its commission. It is the latest addition to ongoing efforts over the past 15 years to develop the building as a shared space accessible to all. The design incorporates quotes and references from contemporary LGBTQ+ figures, visualisations of key milestones, and images and banners from notable campaigns such as Love Equality and Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners. The window features the bright colours of the Progress Pride flag and is framed with green carnations, a flower historically associated with Oscar Wilde.
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, officially unveiled the artwork alongside Cara McCann, Director of HERe NI. Councillor Murray described the unveiling as a "significant moment for our LGBTQ+ community," stating that it sends a message that "our city is welcoming and inclusive, and both recognises, and celebrates, the contribution and importance of our LGBTQ+ citizens." He added that the "stunning" window will be seen by hundreds of visitors weekly and hoped it would "be an inspiration for everyone continuing to fight inequality."
Cara McCann of HERe NI underscored the importance of visibility and recognition for the LGBTQ+ community. "Community and visibility matter. When people see themselves reflected in public spaces – in windows, books, classrooms and councils – they feel valued. They feel seen," she said. McCann added that the window reflects the community's strength in uniting against injustice and creating visibility, telling young LGBTQIA+ people walking through City Hall's grounds that "you do belong."
The vibrant window, designed in partnership with community representatives, depicts pivotal moments in the development of LGBTQ+ rights and history.
Located on the ground floor of City Hall, the artwork received cross-party support for its commission. It is the latest addition to ongoing efforts over the past 15 years to develop the building as a shared space accessible to all. The design incorporates quotes and references from contemporary LGBTQ+ figures, visualisations of key milestones, and images and banners from notable campaigns such as Love Equality and Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners. The window features the bright colours of the Progress Pride flag and is framed with green carnations, a flower historically associated with Oscar Wilde.
Cara McCann of HERe NI underscored the importance of visibility and recognition for the LGBTQ+ community. "Community and visibility matter. When people see themselves reflected in public spaces – in windows, books, classrooms and councils – they feel valued. They feel seen," she said. McCann added that the window reflects the community's strength in uniting against injustice and creating visibility, telling young LGBTQIA+ people walking through City Hall's grounds that "you do belong."
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