Northern Ireland gets its first LGBT radio station
Northern Ireland’s first ever LGBT+ radio station is set to be launched in Belfast.
Juice1038 will start broadcasting from the Northern Irish capital from August 4, the same day as Belfast Pride.
The channel on 103.8FM will serve the LGBT+ community in Greater Belfast, playing classic dance tunes, alongside remixes and new tracks from the UK Top 40 Singles Chart.
A sample of the station can currently be heard on the radio’s website.
A spokesperson from Juice1038 told RadioToday: “LGBT+ people come from all walks of life, and it is our aim to serve as many of our community as possible through an outgoing and inclusive presentation style mixed with speech content tailored for our audience, and a unique music mix heard nowhere else on Northern Irish radio.
“Juice will play a mix of upfront and classic dance, remixes, carefully selected Top 40 and gay classics.
“Our speech content will be of particular interest to the LGBT+ community, including LGBT+ news bulletins and a local issues show which will showcase and discuss the aspirations, concerns, successes and issues affecting our target audience.”
Big day today. Swear we’re not petrified.
Not quite our launch, but you’ll be able to hear us on 103.8FM at some stage later today!
Official launch of Juice1038 – August 4th! pic.twitter.com/E2E4gK6hZr
— Juice1038 ️ (@juicebelfast) July 23, 2018
In June, Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Arlene Foster made history by attending PinkNews’ summer reception at Stormont in Belfast, supported by Citi.
By doing so, Foster became the first DUP leader to attend an event focused on LGBT+ rights.
At the reception, Foster called for her party’s stance on issues such as same-sex marriage, which remains illegal in Northern Ireland, to be” respected, while not agreed with.”
Arlene Foster addresses the PinkNews Belfast reception. (Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye)
Foster said: “I want to acknowledge the contribution of the LGBT+ community in Northern Ireland and recognise the diversity [in the country] … some of the brightest and best are part of the LGBT+ community.
“We are not always going to agree. We should treat each other with good manners and respect.
In Northern Ireland we have a strong faith community we should respect people’s [views]. Just because we disagree on marriage doesn’t mean I don’t value the LGBT community. I ask that my views and my party’s views are respected, while not agreed with.
“If we truly believe in equality for all in Northern Ireland, we must respectfully engage and respect each other’s view points.”
