When Alison Bennington became the Democratic Unionist Party’s (DUP) first openly gay candidate, some party veterans, like former Health Minister Jim Wells, speculated that DUP founder Ian Paisley would be “aghast.” Five years later, while Wells has left the scene, Bennington’s influence has quietly grown—this week, she was elected as the secretary of the DUP Councillors' Association with enthusiastic support.

Her election marks a subtle shift within the DUP. Bennington’s nomination was supported by her colleagues, with sources noting that her victory over Kyle Moutray, son of a former DUP Assembly member, was met with cheers. One insider called it a “good news story” for a new era within the party.

Though Bennington remains a reserved public figure and has yet to give an interview, she’s known for prioritizing equality within the DUP over LGBTQ activism. She opposed a council motion to fly an updated Pride flag, arguing, “I joined the DUP because I wanted to be treated as an equal. I am treated as an equal. I do not need a flag to be thrown back in my face.”

Despite her low profile on LGBTQ issues, her presence as a gay representative continues to garner attention in a party historically opposed to same-sex marriage. Jeff Dudgeon, a longtime LGBTQ activist and former Ulster Unionist councillor, noted that many in the DUP no longer see sexual orientation as a divisive issue, though he acknowledges some public perception remains focused on their stance. Dudgeon pointed out that other parties, such as Sinn Féin, have faced less scrutiny despite having no openly gay elected officials in Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) is forming an LGBTQIA group called “Pride in the Union,” which Vicky Trimble, daughter of former First Minister Lord Trimble, described as “long overdue.” She sees the group as a natural progression, allowing LGBTQ voices within unionism a platform they haven’t previously had.

Five years ago, when Bennington first joined the council, there were concerns about what her election might signify. Today, her recent appointment shows a small but notable shift within the DUP—a gradual evolution reflecting broader changes across Northern Ireland’s unionist landscape.