Dublin Pride
Encyclopedia
The Dublin Pride Festival is an annual series of events which celebrates lesbian
, gay
, bisexual, transgender
, queer
(LGBTQ) life in Dublin, Ireland
. It is the largest LGBTQ pride
festival in the Republic of Ireland. The festival culminates in a pride parade which is held in June. The event has grown from a one-day event in 1983 to a ten-day festival celebrating LGBT culture in Ireland
with an expanded arts, social and cultural content.
The organisation, including the board of directors, is run by volunteers with some paid consultant help. The stated aim of Dublin Pride is to produce a professional pride festival and an annual Pride Day; comprising the parade through Dublin city center, a politically based rally and free entertainment all working for the improvement of LGBTQ communities.
in the suburb of Fairview, Dublin
, protesting the levels of violence against gay men and women in Ireland. In particular, the march was a reaction to the controversial judgement in the Flynn case, when suspended sentence
s on charges of manslaughter
were given to members of a gang found guilty of the 1982 killing of Declan Flynn, a 31-year old gay man, in Fairview Park, and the subsequent celebrations by some members of the local community following their release.
The first pride parade was held in June, 1983. The parade was organized by the National Lesbian and Gay Federation, and followed a route through the city centre of Dublin, from St Stephen's Green to the GPO
on O'Connell Street
.
Using the slogan "Always the bridesmaid, never the bride", the 2008 theme highlighted the lack of legal recognition under Irish law of any partnership rights for same-sex couples. The festival was launched by the Irish Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley
, TD. Gormley recognised that the proposed partnership legislation was "not the full equality we are seeking, but it is a step towards full equality," and "of real practical value in itself and will make a real difference to the daily lives of many people in committed relationships". Performers at the post-rally gathering included Brian Kennedy
, Maria McKee
and Tara Blaise
.
while questioning the community and society in general on attitudes and prejudices. The festival aimed to celebrate diversity and challenge peoples' perceptions of it. This year introduced Dublin Pride's new Arts and Cultural committee to the festival. Turnout figures were estimated at a record 12,500. Performers at the traditional post-parade show at the Civic Offices, hosted by Panti, included, among others, Black Daisy (Ireland's 2009 Eurovision Song Contest
entrant), Michele Ann Kelly, Laura Steele, the Kylie Experience, and Katherine Lynch.
was grand marshal.
Performers at the Part in the Park at the Civic Offices included DJ Jules in a Lady GaGa tribute act and Niamh Kavanagh winner of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1993 who represented Ireland in the Contest again this year.
Over 100,000 people participated in the 2010 ten-day Pride festival.
The 2009 festival was held June 19–28.[9] The theme for 2009 was "Pride and Prejudice?" and aimed to celebrate pride in the LGBT communities while questioning the community and society in general on attitudes and prejudices. The festival aimed to celebrate diversity and challenge peoples' perceptions of it. This year also introduced Dublin Pride's new Arts and Cultural committee to the festival.
Turnout figures for the Pride Parade, held on the 27 June, were estimated at a record 12,500. Performers at the traditional Post-Parade Show at the Civic Offices, hosted by Panti, included, amongst others, Black Daisy (Ireland's 2009 Eurovision Song Contest entrants), Michele Ann Kelly, Laura Steele, the Kylie Experience, and Katherine Lynch.
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
, gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
, bisexual, transgender
Transgender
Transgender is a general term applied to a variety of individuals, behaviors, and groups involving tendencies to vary from culturally conventional gender roles....
, queer
Queer
Queer is an umbrella term for sexual minorities that are not heterosexual, heteronormative, or gender-binary. In the context of Western identity politics the term also acts as a label setting queer-identifying people apart from discourse, ideologies, and lifestyles that typify mainstream LGBT ...
(LGBTQ) life in Dublin, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. It is the largest LGBTQ pride
Gay pride
LGBT pride or gay pride is the concept that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity...
festival in the Republic of Ireland. The festival culminates in a pride parade which is held in June. The event has grown from a one-day event in 1983 to a ten-day festival celebrating LGBT culture in Ireland
LGBT culture in Ireland
LGBT life on the island of Ireland is made up of persons who are either gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender/transsexual.-Politics:There was all-party support in 2010 for the Civil Partnership Bill which provided for legal recognition for the relationships of same-sex couples.The Labour Party,...
with an expanded arts, social and cultural content.
The organisation, including the board of directors, is run by volunteers with some paid consultant help. The stated aim of Dublin Pride is to produce a professional pride festival and an annual Pride Day; comprising the parade through Dublin city center, a politically based rally and free entertainment all working for the improvement of LGBTQ communities.
1983 parade
In March, 1983, prior to the first pride parade, a march was held from the city centre of Dublin to Fairview ParkFairview Park, Dublin
Fairview Park is an urban park to the north of central Dublin, Ireland, in the district of Fairview. The park is noted for its seasonal bedding displays but also has playing fields, a childrens playground and tree-lined walks...
in the suburb of Fairview, Dublin
Fairview, Dublin
Fairview is a coastal district on the Northside of Dublin, Ireland, in the jurisdiction of Dublin City Council. Part of the area forms Fairview Park, on land reclaimed from the sea.-Location and access:...
, protesting the levels of violence against gay men and women in Ireland. In particular, the march was a reaction to the controversial judgement in the Flynn case, when suspended sentence
Suspended sentence
A suspended sentence is a legal term for a judge's delaying of a defendant's serving of a sentence after they have been found guilty, in order to allow the defendant to perform a period of probation...
s on charges of manslaughter
Manslaughter
Manslaughter is a legal term for the killing of a human being, in a manner considered by law as less culpable than murder. The distinction between murder and manslaughter is said to have first been made by the Ancient Athenian lawmaker Dracon in the 7th century BC.The law generally differentiates...
were given to members of a gang found guilty of the 1982 killing of Declan Flynn, a 31-year old gay man, in Fairview Park, and the subsequent celebrations by some members of the local community following their release.
The first pride parade was held in June, 1983. The parade was organized by the National Lesbian and Gay Federation, and followed a route through the city centre of Dublin, from St Stephen's Green to the GPO
General Post Office (Dublin)
The General Post Office ' in Dublin is the headquarters of the Irish postal service, An Post, and Dublin's principal post office...
on O'Connell Street
O'Connell Street
O'Connell Street is Dublin's main thoroughfare. It measures 49 m in width at its southern end, 46 m at the north, and is 500 m in length...
.
2008 "Always the bridesmaid, never the bride"
Grand Marshall - Tonie WalshUsing the slogan "Always the bridesmaid, never the bride", the 2008 theme highlighted the lack of legal recognition under Irish law of any partnership rights for same-sex couples. The festival was launched by the Irish Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley
John Gormley
John Gormley is an Irish politician. He was the leader of the Irish Green Party from 2007 to 2011, and was a Teachta Dála for the Dublin South East constituency from 1997 to 2011. He served as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government from 2007–11...
, TD. Gormley recognised that the proposed partnership legislation was "not the full equality we are seeking, but it is a step towards full equality," and "of real practical value in itself and will make a real difference to the daily lives of many people in committed relationships". Performers at the post-rally gathering included Brian Kennedy
Brian Kennedy (singer)
Brian Edward Patrick Kennedy is an Irish singer-songwriter and author, known for his ballads, and has represented Ireland at Eurovision 2006. He is the younger brother of musician Bap Kennedy.-Personal life:...
, Maria McKee
Maria McKee
Maria Luisa McKee is an American singer and songwriter. She is best known for her work with Lone Justice and her 1990 UK solo chart-topping hit, "Show Me Heaven".-Music:...
and Tara Blaise
Tara Blaise
Tara Blaise is an Irish female pop, folk, rock singer. The eldest of six children, Blaise was born in London, but at the age of three moved with her parents to Ireland and grew up in the rambling hills of Aughrim County Wicklow....
.
2009 "Pride and Prejudice?"
The 2009 festival was held June 19–28. The theme for 2009 was "Pride and Prejudice?" which celebrated pride in the LGBT communitiesGay community
The gay community, or LGBT community, is a loosely defined grouping of LGBT and LGBT-supportive people, organizations and subcultures, united by a common culture and civil rights movements. These communities generally celebrate pride, diversity, individuality, and sexuality...
while questioning the community and society in general on attitudes and prejudices. The festival aimed to celebrate diversity and challenge peoples' perceptions of it. This year introduced Dublin Pride's new Arts and Cultural committee to the festival. Turnout figures were estimated at a record 12,500. Performers at the traditional post-parade show at the Civic Offices, hosted by Panti, included, among others, Black Daisy (Ireland's 2009 Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
entrant), Michele Ann Kelly, Laura Steele, the Kylie Experience, and Katherine Lynch.
2010 "We Are Family Too"
More than 22,000 people marched through Dublin on 26 June 2010. Doctor Lydia FoyLydia Foy
Lydia Annice Foy is an Irish trans woman notable for leading legal challenges regarding gender recognition in Ireland. In 1992 Foy had sex reassignment surgery, and began a 12 year legal battle to have her birth certificate reflect her gender identity...
was grand marshal.
Performers at the Part in the Park at the Civic Offices included DJ Jules in a Lady GaGa tribute act and Niamh Kavanagh winner of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1993 who represented Ireland in the Contest again this year.
Over 100,000 people participated in the 2010 ten-day Pride festival.
See also
- List of LGBT events
- LGBT rights in the Republic of Ireland
The 2009 festival was held June 19–28.[9] The theme for 2009 was "Pride and Prejudice?" and aimed to celebrate pride in the LGBT communities while questioning the community and society in general on attitudes and prejudices. The festival aimed to celebrate diversity and challenge peoples' perceptions of it. This year also introduced Dublin Pride's new Arts and Cultural committee to the festival.
Turnout figures for the Pride Parade, held on the 27 June, were estimated at a record 12,500. Performers at the traditional Post-Parade Show at the Civic Offices, hosted by Panti, included, amongst others, Black Daisy (Ireland's 2009 Eurovision Song Contest entrants), Michele Ann Kelly, Laura Steele, the Kylie Experience, and Katherine Lynch.