Dublin LGBTQ Pride Guide 2020

Dublin LGBTQ Pride June 18th——28th 2020 www.dublinpride.ie

Proud from the inside out.

Everyone’s welcome at Tesco.

We’re proud to support our LGBTQ + colleagues to be themselves at work through an inclusive working environment and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to get on.

Playing our part by staying apart An Post proudly supports Digital Pride Festival 2020

Norris 2019 & 1980 John Cronin & David

“40 years ago it was a different Ireland in which we lived.

Gay people were criminals in the eyes of the law. This picture of David Norris and myself was taken in summer 1980 celebrating the first anniversary of the opening of the Hirschfeld Centre In Fownes Street Dublin. This was a centre where gay people could meet to support each other and enjoy a social outlet where they were not persecuted. The Centre had a disco, coffee bar and cinema and I had the pleasure of being one of the DJ’s for the disco. It was an extreme honour 39 years later to welcome David to An Post GPO for a talk as part of the 2019 Pride programme of events.

Wishing everyone a happy Pride 2020 in these strange times.“

“As Talent & Resourcing Manager within An Post and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I couldn’t be more proud celebrating our inclusivity together in such an authentic way. Pride has always been a time of celebration for me, my friends and family.

Sharing this experience with my colleagues from An Post, seeing how they embrace diversity in such a meaningful and heartfelt way, embodies our message that we, as an organisation, reflect the Marianne Kelly

wonderfully diverse society in which we serve.”

“Pride has always been for me about visibility.

As a teenager, coming to terms with my sexuality during the early 90s in Ireland, it was not something that I particularly welcomed. It had brought attention every Summer to a movement that I was not ready to embrace. As Ireland evolved as a nation and I, as a gay man found my place in it, I discovered that Pride had been at the very heart of this transition: its visibility became my visibility.

Culminating with the Marriage Equality Referendum in 2015 with that very message at its heart, Pride for me is now a celebration of everything that I want Ireland to be in 2020. Colourful, Joyous, Loud and Proud. In my role as an An Post Clerk I am very happy that my company embraces this movement and is an integral supporter of the Celebrations.�

Alan Bowe

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Pride postcards available at your local post office

#justbe

#lifeatsky

At Sky, we know it’s our people that make us unique. We believe in a workplace where everyone can just be themselves.

Proud to be supporting our LGBT+ colleagues.

Contents Message from the President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Message from the Lord Mayor of Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Message from An Taoiseach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Pride Grand Marshall’s Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Pride Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Here’s the lowdown on all the fab digital events taking place during Pride week.

Frontline Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 A celebration of all the LGBTQ+ people at the frontline during these unusual times.

In This Together. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 The community share messages inspired by the theme of Pride.

Cover Stars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Check out all the incredible entries for the Pride Guide cover competition.

Marriage Equality: Five Years On. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 On the fifth anniversary of the referendum that changed Ireland, we look back on the long road to equality.

Global Pride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 GALAS Person of the Year, Evgeny Shtorn, highlights how this year is an opportunity for Pride to be even more impactful.

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IN THIS TOGETHER

& Credits Voluntary Board of Directors: Maura Molloy Lisa Connell Cormac Cashman Jason Flynn Dublin Pride Staff 2020: Jed Dowling Eddie McGuinness Jamie Kenny Nem Kearns Webmaster: Cian O’Mahony Pride Branding & Design: Colm Molloy

Editor: Peter Dunne Cover Illustration: Moira Fowley-Doyle Layout: Dave Darcy Photography: Hazel Coonagh Additional Photography: Arthur Carron, Babs Daly, Lisa Doyle (Volunteer Ireland), Kyran O’Brien, Alan Rowlette Contributors: Peter Dunne, Rebecca Kelly, Oisin Kenny, Sarah McKenna Barry, Chris Rooke, Evgeny Shtorn.

Foreword from the

President

From what were modest beginnings in 1974, when a small number of courageous individuals marched the streets of Dublin to demand that the Government decriminalise homosexuality, to the first Pride Parade in 1983, just a few months after the brutal murder of a gay man, Declan Flynn, in Fairview Park, to the modern annual parade and festival that has grown to become the largest and most popular event in Dublin next to the St Patrick’s Day Festival, Pride has helped change the laws and constitution of Ireland, as well as the hearts and minds of many of our citizens.

The landmark achievements of decriminalisation in 1993, followed by marriage equality and transgender recognition in 2015, have done much to achieve a more equal, humane and just society.

While we have achieved so much in this country for LGBTQ+ rights in a relatively short timeframe, we must not forget that these triumphs were not achieved easily. These were hard-won rights, and we owe such a profound debt of gratitude to all those who campaigned so passionately, tirelessly and courageously for these changes to the legal framework for the LGBTQ+ community over more than four decades, and we should never forget those for whom the changes were too late and who had to choose the path of exile and too often its loneliness at home or abroad.

This year we celebrate the fifth anniversary since marriage equality and transgender recognition, but we do so in difficult times that challenge us all.

Our innate human need to celebrate publicly, combined with the COVID-19 public health crisis that has enveloped the world, means that we must think of innovative ways to celebrate our societal achievements. Dublin Pride 2020 will, thus, be a virtual celebration.

As a digital capital of Europe, and a city now famous for its diversity and inclusion, Dublin is well placed to host a world-class Digital Pride, and I so wish the festival well this year.

Let us celebrate what has been accomplished, acknowledge our shared humanity and solidarity, and continue to inspire each other to persist with the task of building a just and equal Republic founded on the fullest forms of inclusion.

Beir beannacht, President Michael D Higgins

IN THIS TOGETHER

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A Message from the

Lord Mayor of Dublin

On behalf of Dublin City Council and the citizens of Dublin I was delighted to officially launch this year’s Dublin Pride Festival last month.

Of course this year the Festival and Parade will be very different as we all adapt to the challenges and loss caused by Covid-19. I am confident that as a city, we will be able to adapt. Dublin has been doing that for over a thousand years, and even though this year we have a Digital Festival and a Virtual Parade, we can still achieve the same sense of community, solidarity and empowerment that Pride gives.

More than ever, we need our community groups, who take a lead in finding ways to connect people and support the most vulnerable members of our society.

Dublin Pride is playing a huge role in our city’s collective response, not only by bringing people together through its new Digital Festival, but also in very practical ways, such as supporting Dublin City Council initiatives to deliver food to people who have been cocooning or in isolation. Over the past decade Dublin Pride has established itself a major part of the city, and we are better for it.

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IN THIS TOGETHER

It is fitting that May 22 was chosen as the date to launch this year’s festival. It was five years to the day since the Marriage Equality referendum, where 71 percent of Dublin voted Yes, and Ireland became the first country in world to bring in Marriage Equality by popular vote.

The joy and happiness that was seen as crowds filled the streets to celebrate the following day is a memory we should always cherish, a reminder of how great our city is and can be.

I am looking forward to marching in the first ever Virtual Dublin Pride Parade on June 28 and look forward to seeing you all there.

Happy Pride.

Tom Brabazon Lord Mayor of Dublin

Thanks to the creativity and innovation of all involved, the Digital Dublin Pride Festival will make a statement about our strength in diversity and how we will overcome all challenges. It is a message of hope that we will share with the world.

This year the Festival will honour all frontline and essential workers on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. It is an opportunity to pay tribute to those who have been at the heart of our fight against COVID-19; our doctors and nurses, cleaners, porters, care assistants, carers and all those working in hospitals and residential settings. It recognises the debt we owe to our retail staff, our truck drivers, and those who deliver our food. It is a tribute to all those who can sometimes be forgotten, from those who make possible essential travel on our buses and trains, to our postal workers, our Gardaí, the first responders, and everyone else who is making a difference because of their courage and commitment.

A Message from

An Taoiseach

2020 will be always remembered as the year when the world was turned upside down and our lives changed suddenly and dramatically.

Throughout this difficult time we have been doing the best we can to look out for each other, protect loved ones, and save lives.

In Ireland we have all played our part during this emergency - gay and straight, lesbian, bisexual, intersex and transgender. It has been a genuine rainbow alliance in the fight against COVID-19.

Unfortunately this year, for the first time since it started, there won’t be a Pride festival on the streets of Dublin, but the pandemic will not prevent this celebration of identity and diversity. Events around the world remind us that equality can never be taken for granted.

It is also right that Vanessa O’Connell is being honoured for her work during this crisis, and for all she is doing to make sure that the lifesaving messages are communicated to the wider community as well as to the Deaf LGBT+ community.

This Festival has always been centred on a belief in freedom and respect for all people. This respect for other people, for each other, has inspired us to temporarily and voluntarily restrict some of our freedoms so we can save others.

In 2020, Ireland became a rainbow nation. We found a common cause against a common enemy and it brought out the best in us. I hope we never forget this message, and that the same unity and optimism drives us forward in the years ahead.

It is a love for each other that dares to speak its name.

Happy Pride!

Leo Varadkar TD Taoiseach

IN THIS TOGETHER

11

I mention the names of these brave activists as they serve as an example for us to emulate in our current times - they stood up to police brutality during the famous Stonewall riots of 1969, paving the way for the political and civic liberties we continue to strive for today.

Standing in solidarity with the cause of #BlackLivesMatter honours that legacy, and demonstrates the need for the LGBTQ+ community to be explicitly anti-racist. Yes, all lives matter equally, and it is because of this that black lives matter.

In my role as Grand Marshall this year, I represent all our frontline workers, all those who have bravely put their own lives at risk for the sake of other’s lives.

We cannot thank you enough for the service and protection you have given us throughout this crisis.

I would also like to acknowledge the great loss people have suffered. I have been working as one of the Sign Language Interpreters for the daily press briefings since the pandemic began. The figures that have been announced are staggering, though are not mere statistics to me. Every loss that I have communicated I have felt at a bodily level, for I knew the devastating impact this news would surely be having on the family members watching from home.

A message from the

Grand Marshall

I would like to thank all the team at Dublin Pride for asking me to act as Grand Marshall for Digital Pride 2020.

I will be representing all those who have worked on the frontline during the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a great honour for me, and is a role I humbly accept.

Of course, as I write of the pandemic, I am also aware of the need to reflect on another major issue affecting our lives right now – the ongoing global struggles of black communities in the face of racism, murder and police brutality.

We, the LGBTQ+ community, stand on the shoulders of our black LGBTQ+ siblings. Indeed, it is thanks to the courage of black activists like Marsha P Johnson, Stormé DeLarverie, and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy that we have made such positive progress as a community in recent years. We are indebted to them and their allies, including Latinx LGBTQ+ activists like Sylvia Rivera, and other figures such as Craig Rodwell and Thomas LaniganSchmidt.

And yet, we will only begin to feel the real impact of the pandemic over the coming weeks and months – lockdown restrictions seemed to paralyse our country’s grief, with its effects on our collective mental health yet to be realised. However, as we begin to emerge from these restrictions and face these challenges, let us do so with a renewed appreciation for our fellow citizens, locally and globally, in all of their beauty and diversity. Let us stand in solidarity against injustice, honouring those who have stood before us.

Wishing you all a happy and safe Pride. We are #InThisTogether, even while we are apart.

Yours in Pride, Vanessa O Connell x Grand Mashall

IN THIS TOGETHER

13

THOUGH APART, WE MARCH TOGETHER JOIN THE DUBLIN VIRTUAL PRIDE PARADE 2.00PM SUNDAY JUNE 28 dublinpride.ie/live #virtualprideparade #inthistogether

dublinpride.ie

A message from

DCC

Dublin City Council’s LGBTQ+ Network and our allies will again be taking part in the city’s Pride Parade 2020. This year, as in previous years, we will continue to lead the Parade with the Lord Mayor Tom Brabazon, the Chief Executive Owen Keegan, and others. But this year we are doing so virtually.

As an LGBTQ+ community, we understand the isolation, loneliness and despair felt by those who experience exclusion. These feelings of isolation have again become familiar to a number of us during social distancing as we stay apart from our much needed physical support networks.

Pride is about community. It is about making our community visible so that those of us who are isolated know that they have an LGBTQ+ family to reach out to when needed.

Dublin City Council’s frontline workers, particularly those in the fire and ambulance service, are here for you too! So while we celebrate and mark Pride, we are also honouring our frontline staff in Dublin Fire Brigade.

Dublin City Council’s LGBTQ+ Network are kicking off the 2020 Pride Parade from Tara Street Fire Station. The Lord Mayor will cut our rainbow ribbon to get things started. We will be followed by our colleagues in South Dublin County Council.

Happy Pride 2020.

IN THIS TOGETHER

15

We’re proud to stand with the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland and around the world.

Wishing you a happy Pride.

DIGITAL DUBLIN PRIDE 2020

#KnowYouCan

Better together

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A message from

The Pride Board

It’s been almost 12 months since we were all together on O’Connell Street to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Stonewall and the birth of the Pride movement. Pride started as a riot, but we have become so much more and are still discovering our potential.

When we said goodbye to you from Merrion Square last year, it was just the beginning of our busiest year to date. With our van packed up with Pride flags, we went on the road, marching in solidarity with Pride events across the country, and offering practical and financial assistance to a number of them. We even crossed the pond and swapped our Pride flag for a tricolour and marched in the Pride in London Parade.

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IN THIS TOGETHER

We closed out 2019 with our new Winter Pride and Wilde Idea Festival, complete with a Pride concert, a community day in the Convention Centre with a keynote panel challenging the Direct Provision system, and even a mini Pride Parade on November 30.

2020 started with such promise, our new Older Than Pride event for LGBTQ+ seniors, that we launched with the Lord Mayor and Age Action during Winter Pride, had developed into a new monthly event. Using that same model, we had started our monthly neurodiverse meet-up.

In addition to running more community-focused events ourselves, we were in a position to give financial assistance to other groups, becoming sponsors of the GALAS and the Gay Theatre Festival. In January, we also helped fund an important Pride conference in Poland.

As the summer drew to a close we took our Stonewall Inn replica out one last time for UK and Ireland Pride in Newry.

As well as all those Pride events, we also had time to stop off at Love Sensation and The Outing Festival!

The end of the summer saw our team travel to Bilbao for the European Pride Organisers Association annual conference where, with the support of Fáilte Ireland, we made our first bid to host EuroPride, and while we were delighted to see the award go to our friends in Belgrade, we’ll be back to bid again.

In March this year, we were finally ready to announce that, after years of trying to find a space big enough for our annual post-Parade Pride concert, we were bringing Pride home, and would be holding one the biggest outdoor events the city had seen in the ancestral home of Dublin Pride Fairview Park.

Of course, that’s not to be this year, and instead, we are bringing Pride home in a different way. But that’s okay - Pride is more than a Parade, Pride is supporting our community, Pride is supporting our allies, Pride is supporting our frontline workers, Pride is supporting Black Lives Matter. Pride is 365 days a year.

This year, one of those days is different, but the other 364 are exactly the same.

On behalf of the members, board, staff and volunteers of Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride, happy Pride!

IN THIS TOGETHER

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Pride is inside and out At Bank of America, we believe being a diverse and inclusive company makes us stronger.

We’re proud to have been the first financial institution to offer comprehensive benefits to domestic partners. And the 26,000 members of our LGBT+ Pride employee network and their global allies have been a powerful influence and voice that can be heard everywhere.

What would you like the power to do?®

bankofamerica.com/inclusion

©2020 Bank of America Corporation | MAP3105343 | AD-05-20-0550.A

LISTINGS June 21st 07:15 PM

Special Virtual Pride concert Gloria LGBT+ Choir Virtual Pride Concert

Log on, kick back, and feel free to sing-along as Ireland’s longest-running LGBTQ+ choir celebrate 25 years of singing loud and proud across the city, island, internationally, and now virtually!

We wish we were inviting you to a face-to-face concert as we do every summer, and we look forward to the day when it is safe to do so again. It’s a been a strange year for all of us and very disappointing to have canceled all the gigs we had lined up, but here we are. Like you, we love celebrating Pride and have decided to make the most of this unique opportunity by sharing some of our favorites, your favorites, big hits and memorable highlights from over the years.

We wish you all a very happy and safe Pride 2020 and hope you enjoy our special virtual Pride concert, cohosted by Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride. www.gloria.ie

June 22nd 06:00pm

Insight Matters in Association with Dublin Pride

Join broadcaster, journalist, and co-founder of Insight Matters, Dil Wickremasinghe for a special online workshop all about wellness. www.dublinpride.ie

Online Wellness Workshop

12:30pm

Rural Mental Health For Men Under The Rainbow

A look at mental health for men in rural Ireland.

All male identifying persons welcome. www.dublinpride.ie

Webinar

07:00pm

National Action Group For LGBTQ+ Traveller and Roma Rights: Online Discussion

With considerations of this years Dublin Pride going digital we are organising an online Webinar with a panel of LGBTQ+ Travellers, Roma, Romani and Gypsy participants who will be discussing their experiences, issues of discrimination within the LGBTQ+ community and how Pride is still very much a protest.

To register please email: maria.carnicer@exchangehouse.ie We look forward to seeing you there!

National Action Group for LGBTQ+ Traveller And Roma Rights Online Discussion

8.00pm

Win, Lose or Drag Pride Edition The George

Win, Lose or Drag Pride Edition with Phil T, Bunny, Mizza and Special Guests and prizes to be won! www.thegeorge.ie

Online Show

June 23rd 06:00pm

Safe Spaces for the LGBTQ+ Community Bank of Ireland Webinar

Join Bank of Ireland for an online panel discussion during Pride week, where they will be exploring the topic of Safe Spaces for the LGBTQ+ community with a panel of great guests, including: CEO of BeLonG To Youth Services and former Director of Marriage Equality, Moninne Griffith, President of the Emerald Warriors Rugby Club, Richie Fagan, Partner in Eversheds Sutherland, Aisling Gannon and Chief Risk Officer New Ireland Assurance and Co-Chair Bank of Ireland LGBTQ+ Employee Network, Francis Coll.

The event will be hosted by Olivia McEvoy, Director of Inclusion and Diversity at EY. This Webinar will take place on Zoom, and the link and further information will be available on www.dublinpride.ie.

09:00pm

GEÍLÍ The Outing Festival/ Dublin Pride Online Trad Session

The Outing Festival and Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride come together once again for our famous Geílí – this year streamed live as part of the Digital Dublin Pride festival. We may not be able to be together in person, but that doesn’t mean the party stops. So join us for a night of LGBTQ+ Traditional Irish music and performances.

Live from Panti Bar. www.dublinpride.ie

09:00 PM

Dolly’s Pride Experience

Dolly’s Pride Experience with the Gorgeous Grippettes. Visit TheGeorgeDublin on Instagram or Facebook for details and updates.

The George

www.thegeorge.ie

Online Drag Show

DIGITAL DUBLIN PRIDE PARTNER

LISTINGS June 21st 07:15 PM

Special Virtual Pride concert Gloria LGBT+ Choir Virtual Pride Concert

Log on, kick back, and feel free to sing-along as Ireland’s longest-running LGBTQ+ choir celebrate 25 years of singing loud and proud across the city, island, internationally, and now virtually!

We wish we were inviting you to a face-to-face concert as we do every summer, and we look forward to the day when it is safe to do so again. It’s a been a strange year for all of us and very disappointing to have canceled all the gigs we had lined up, but here we are. Like you, we love celebrating Pride and have decided to make the most of this unique opportunity by sharing some of our favorites, your favorites, big hits and memorable highlights from over the years.

We wish you all a very happy and safe Pride 2020 and hope you enjoy our special virtual Pride concert, cohosted by Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride. www.gloria.ie

June 22nd 06:00pm

Insight Matters in Association with Dublin Pride

Join broadcaster, journalist, and co-founder of Insight Matters, Dil Wickremasinghe for a special online workshop all about wellness. www.dublinpride.ie

Online Wellness Workshop

12:30pm

Rural Mental Health For Men Under The Rainbow

A look at mental health for men in rural Ireland.

All male identifying persons welcome. www.dublinpride.ie

Webinar

07:00pm

National Action Group For LGBTQ+ Traveller and Roma Rights: Online Discussion

With considerations of this years Dublin Pride going digital we are organising an online Webinar with a panel of LGBTQ+ Travellers, Roma, Romani and Gypsy participants who will be discussing their experiences, issues of discrimination within the LGBTQ+ community and how Pride is still very much a protest.

To register please email: maria.carnicer@exchangehouse.ie We look forward to seeing you there!

National Action Group for LGBTQ+ Traveller And Roma Rights Online Discussion

8.00pm

Win, Lose or Drag Pride Edition The George

Win, Lose or Drag Pride Edition with Phil T, Bunny, Mizza and Special Guests and prizes to be won! www.thegeorge.ie

Online Show

June 23rd 06:00pm

Safe Spaces for the LGBTQ+ Community Bank of Ireland Webinar

Join Bank of Ireland for an online panel discussion during Pride week, where they will be exploring the topic of Safe Spaces for the LGBTQ+ community with a panel of great guests, including: CEO of BeLonG To Youth Services and former Director of Marriage Equality, Moninne Griffith, President of the Emerald Warriors Rugby Club, Richie Fagan, Partner in Eversheds Sutherland, Aisling Gannon and Chief Risk Officer New Ireland Assurance and Co-Chair Bank of Ireland LGBTQ+ Employee Network, Francis Coll.

The event will be hosted by Olivia McEvoy, Director of Inclusion and Diversity at EY. This Webinar will take place on Zoom, and the link and further information will be available on www.dublinpride.ie.

09:00pm

GEÍLÍ The Outing Festival/ Dublin Pride Online Trad Session

The Outing Festival and Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride come together once again for our famous Geílí – this year streamed live as part of the Digital Dublin Pride festival. We may not be able to be together in person, but that doesn’t mean the party stops. So join us for a night of LGBTQ+ Traditional Irish music and performances.

Live from Panti Bar. www.dublinpride.ie

09:00 PM

Dolly’s Pride Experience

Dolly’s Pride Experience with the Gorgeous Grippettes. Visit TheGeorgeDublin on Instagram or Facebook for details and updates.

The George

www.thegeorge.ie

Online Drag Show

LISTINGS June 24th 7:00PM

02:00 PM

Soapbox Sessions Dublin Lesbian Line/ Outhouse

Join us for the eighth annual Soapbox Sessions in collaboration with Outhouse. We will have speakers from different identities and backgrounds who will share their personals stories with host Laura Louise Condell with a focus on this year’s Pride theme - In This Together.

Webinar

www.dublinlesbianline.ie

Older Than Pride: A Virtual Queer History Tour of Kilmainham Gaol by Brian Crowley

Join Dublin Pride and Age Action for our special Older Than Pride event.

We may be going digital, but we still want to offer LGBTQ+ people over the age of 50 the chance to visit historical, cultural and political venues in Ireland.

Brian Crowley, Curator of Collections at Kilmainham Gaol Museum, hosts a virtual queer history tour of one of Ireland’s most iconic buildings. The tour will explore the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender prisoners associated with the building. LGBTQ+ people have played leading roles in the struggle for Irish independence and many of them found themselves prisoners in Kilmainham as a result of their political and revolutionary activities. The Gaol was also used as a place of punishment for those convicted of homosexual crimes in the 19th and early 20th century, including the men involved in the Dublin Castle Scandal of 1884, the biggest gay scandal in Ireland in the 19th century. The tour will be followed by a Q&A session with Brian Crowley via Zoom www.dublinpride.ie

Dublin Pride Virtual

09:00 PM

Veda’s Pride Pole Show

Veda’s Pride Pole Show with Terri Fierce and special guests. Visit TheGeorgeDublin on Instagram or Facebook for details and updates.

The George

www.thegeorge.ie

Online Alt-Drag Show

June 25th 07.00pm

Virtual Pride Discussion

Amnesty Ireland will host a virtual panel discussion as part of Digital Dublin Pride with LGBTQ+ advocates from around the globe to discuss their personal stories, the challenges they face and their hopes for the future.

Amnesty Ireland

www.amnesty.ie

Virtual discussion, platform tbc

08:00pm

Standing Proud in Irish Sport: My life as an Elite LGBTQ+ Athlete Sporting Pride, Dublin Digital Pride / GCN’s In & Out Festival

As part of Dublin Digital Pride and GCN’s In & Out Festival, Sporting Pride, the association tasked with getting the LGBTQ+ community active, is hosting an online webinar, entitled “Standing Proud in Irish Sport: My Life as an Elite LGBTQ+ Athlete”. www.GCN.ie

Webinar

June 26th 06:00 PM

Pride Pop Party with Davina and Victoria

Pride Pop Party with Davina and Victoria streaming live from The George. www.thegeorge.ie

The George Online Drag Show

8pm-10pm

Pixie Woo Disco-90’s Hits

Join Pixie Woo live with ‘80s and ‘90s hits. www.facebook.com/street66Dublin

Street66

June 27th 11:00am

Pride Breakfast Interactive Cookery Segment

Outhouse will recreate that cozy café feeling in a virtual way for the Pride Breakfast this year. Join Chef Rory Morahan for a cook-along brunch where everyone can chat and interact with each other online. www.outhouse.ie

Pride Disco DJ Set Live from The George

Pride Disco DJ Set Live from the George with DJ’s Rocky, Karen and Conor Behan. Visit TheGeorgeDublin on Instagram or Facebook for updates.

The George

www.thegeorge.ie

Outhouse 06:00pmMidnight

Online Disco Set

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LISTINGS June 27th 12:00am

Global Pride Global Pride Online Global Event

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on Pride organisations worldwide with hundreds of marches and events cancelled or postponed. Global Pride provides an opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community around the world to come together and celebrate diversity and equality during these challenging times.

Dublin Pride will join hundreds of Prides from across the globe for a special 24 hour Pride event. www.dublinpride.ie

June 28th 8:00 PM

Bingo with Shirley Temple Bar The George

Shirley returns with The Bingo! Visit TheGeorgeDublin on Instagram or Facebook for details. www.thegeorge.ie

Online Bingo

2:00pm4:00pm

Dublin Pride Virtual Parade 2020 Dublin Pride Virtual Pride Parade

7:00pm9pm

Virtual Pride Concert Dublin Pride Virtual Pride Concert

Coming live from The Round Room in The Mansion House to your home and around the world! Even though we won’t be together on O’Connell Street this year, we know that won’t stop us all coming together to support our community, our wonderful community organisations and the vital services they provide- often to our most vulnerable members. We’re still going to see you, and you’ll definitely see us, as we host the first Digital Dublin Pride Festival with a fully interactive virtual Pride Parade and a Pride Concert. Buildings will still light up for Pride, flags will be flying high across the city and our community will still be there to support each other. Pride isn’t cancelled, we’re just bringing it home. Hosted by Ring Master Paul Ryder and Mr Pride Eddie McGuinness. www.dublinpride.ie Join us after our first ever virtual Parade for a Digital Pride Concert live from The Round Room in The Mansion House and The George. Hosted by Phil T Gorgeous and Bunny with performances, speeches and songs to celebrate our vibrant and diverse community. www.dublinpride.ie

POST FESTIVAL July 7th 7:00PM

Climbing on the Shoulders of Giants Under The Rainbow

LGBTQ+ history is strong, resilient and inspiring. We will look at our history and how we got through difficult times through the spirit of community. We will talk about how to use our shared history to inspire us to keep bouncing back and keeping on.

Webinar

www.dublinpride.ie

Queer Lives, Queer Tales

This workshop with Dr Caroline West will look at representations of queer women in the media. From pop culture, TV, pornography and music, queer women have often been hypersexualised or depicted solely via the male gaze. In this workshop we will explore how to ethically tell queer women’s stories and discuss sex in a nonsensationalised manner, in order to ensure accurate representation of queer lives. www.dublinlesbianline.ie

July 8th 7:00PM

Dublin Lesbian Line Webinar

July 22nd 7:00PM

The LGBTQ+ Movement Abroad Dublin Lesbian Line Webinar

This panel discussion will feature activists from around the world discussing the development of global LGBTQ+ social movements and how they support their queer communities. www.dublinlesbianline.ie

With Pride

Happy Pride

from all at Bank of Ireland

DocuSign celebrates our LGBTQ community.

Pride is our promise to connect through shared experiences and to encourage each other to come just as we are.

Through inclusion, acceptance, visibility and education, we are stronger together.

Wherever you find yourself celebrating Pride this month, we proudly stand with you. At Citi, we support the LGBT+ community globally and recognize LGBT+ rights as human rights.

When schools reopen, we’ll be there to support LGBTQ+ students.

At ShoutOut, our volunteers work year-round to help young LGBTQIAP+ people have a happier experience in school. We’ve delivered over 1,500 workshops to 45,000 students across the island of Ireland.

Support our mission:

DONATE or fundraise for us VOLUNTEER as a workshop facilitator BOOK A WORKSHOP FOR YOUR OFFICE OR SCHOOL

shoutout.ie

IN THIS

TOGETHER This year for Pride we are celebrating all the incredible LGBTQ+ people on the frontlines who are supporting and enabling the country to stay healthy, safe and connected.

Here are just a handful of the many heroes out there doing their bit. Thank you, frontline workers!

Interviews by Rebecca Kelly, Oisin Kenny, Sarah McKenna Barry, Chris Rooke and Peter Dunne.

Portraits by Hazel Coonagh.

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Des has taken heart in how members of the communities he works in have been looking out for each other. “We had people calling us up about their next door neighbour, and we had Gardaí that were going to people’s houses delivering their prescriptions, we had care staff who were doing extra hours. We had friends, neighbours, families that were calling in more often to elderly people or vulnerable people.”

When thinking about what has pulled his colleagues together, Des attributes it to that same sense of responsibility and generosity. “What pulled us all together was the desire to help. I think most people get into healthcare to help people,” he explained. “We saw this coming towards Ireland, almost like a storm, and that brought us all together.”

That didn’t make the work easy though, and the last few months have brought their concerns and worries for healthcare workers.

Heroes on the

FRONTLINES

Des Kennedy

GP

“I noticed there was a lot of wartime language being used, that there was a ‘frontline’. Doctors were being recruited from abroad and being deployed in different areas.

So, it felt almost like a bit of a war. It was very strange phenomenon.”

The strangeness of the situation had a personal effect too.

“I was worried for the health of my family, for my friends, for my colleagues: 31 percent of infections are among healthcare staff, so I’ve had lots of friends who have been quite sick from this.”

People have been keen to recognise the work that essential workers are doing during this pandemic, and Des has been on the receiving end of that. “I keep getting free coffees and free muffins at my local shop - it’s great!”

Healthcare workers have been at the fore of managing the pandemic in Ireland, and none are more rooted in the community than GPs such as Des Kennedy.

“The role of the GP has changed dramatically to cope with this new pandemic,” explains Des, who has been based in North Dublin for the last six years. “We have a close personal connection to all of our patients and it’s distressing when you can’t see people who you know very well and who you know that are sick. We had to switch over to doing video consultations and phone consultations, which was a very big change.”

While normal GP work involves regular housecalls to more infirm patients, Des says that the type of outreach he now does is as much about reassurance as treatment. “We had to manage the anxiety and fear”, he recalls. “We also take a lot of calls from people and just explain about the virus, what we know about it, and the guidelines from the HSE that people mightn’t take in if they’re just watching the news or on social media. Often just having your GP explain them to you is very beneficial for a lot of people.”

He recalls, “I was standing at the door one day and a woman threw an Easter egg in on top of me. She just said ‘thanks’ as she was walking by! It’s lovely, and it gives me a laugh, which we all need at the moment. It’s humbling most of the time too.”

As for Pride, Des is hoping to keep up his annual traditions - albeit in a more socially distant way. “I really enjoy the sense of camaraderie and the celebration of everything that gay people have achieved. I think it’s important to keep up this tradition, I think we need Pride, and just because COVID-19 is here shouldn’t mean that we don’t celebrate it. And we will celebrate it.”

Asked for any advice on what to do over the next little while, Des recommends to “keep watching out for each other. It’s lovely to see that vulnerable people, isolated people, or older people in the community that didn’t have much support before this have now been overwhelmed with support. Keep that up: keep an eye on your next door neighbour, and keep an eye on your elderly relatives. I’ve noticed that people’s mental health has suffered through this, and that anxiety and depression has definitely increased in our population. Calling in to someone just to say ‘hello’, or giving someone a call or asking someone if they need a hand can make all the difference.” CR

IN THIS TOGETHER

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In these uncertain times, TENI is here for you.

This year, we are in this together. We may be physically distant, but our community is supporting each other online.

You can contact us at 01 873 3575 or email us at office@teni.ie.

We are using Zoom to make sure our TransParenCI and Transformers groups continue to run online. If you’d like more information on family support, please contact hannah@teni.ie.

We’re also using Zoom to help trans peer support groups to continue to run online. For details of support groups in your area check out http://teni.ie/ supports. If you’d like more information, please contact keeva@teni.ie.

The Transgender Family Helpline is available at 01 907 3707 on Sundays from 6pm to 9pm and on Tuesdays from 10am to 12pm. We work with our friends at LGBT Ireland to help families to support families.

If you’re in a place where you are not able to be yourself.

If you’re worried about your healthcare.

If it’s difficult to reach out to the people who matter most in your life.

We see you. We hear you. We’re here.

H A PP RIDE YP

Different perspectives belong in the workplace. A culture of inclusion fuels innovation, fosters collaboration and drives positive business results. EY Ireland wish you a happy Pride month. #ProudToBelong #BetterWorkingWorld

Š 2020 Ernst & Young. Published in Ireland. All Rights Reserved. 120760.indd 05/20. Produced by Creative (Ireland). ED none

How will embracing diversity create greater unity?

Lionel has made many of his friends here through work, and while seeing them ill can be scary, they’re also able to provide support to each other as well. “I think all of us did the same: we made our work our place for our social interaction as well, with social distancing, because we see people there and we feel like we’re helping the community as well.”

Heroes on the

FRONTLINES

Lionel Pusing ICU nurse

The number of colleagues that Lionel works with has also increased during the pandemic. “In fairness to management in ICU, they have handled it very well.

Whenever a nursing staff or an ICU nurse tests positive, obviously the manpower will be affected there. We need more staff, so they trained theatre nurses to become ICU nurses at a very fast pace, but safely as well. I think they’ve done it really well, and made sure that our ICU is well staffed.”

Unsurprisingly, that isn’t the only change that hospitals have encountered during the pandemic. “We added a separate ICU for COVID-19 patients. Wearing the PPE for our 12 hour shifts is one of the major changes that we have to deal with,” Lionel explains.

There have been silver linings as well, however - “I feel that there’s a really good spirit in ICU: everybody’s smiling, and trying to develop coping mechanisms together.

“The influx of donations from different companies and even from people that some of the staff know made us really feel great. They’re keeping us really well-fed with good quality food! That’s helped us to do our job in the best possible way we can.”

It’s not just friends who have offered support and encouragement- “One of the things that makes us really happy and keep on going is if we see the patient recover.

We’ve seen patients in a very critical condition during the pandemic. Then two weeks later, they’re being discharged to the ward.

Over the last few months, there’s been a focus on Intensive Care Units and their capacities, but not much about how ICU departments and nurses have adapted and coped with the additional patients in their care.

“It’s the same work [as before], but it’s been more challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic because we had an influx of patients, especially in April,” explains Lionel Pusing, an ICU nurse based in St James’ Hospital.

“It’s scary as well because you can’t see your opponent, because it’s a virus, so it feels difficult.”

Lionel came to Ireland from the Philippines after completing his studies across Europe. “At that time it was really hard to get the visa to work in the US. I applied here in Ireland and got the job. I’d already signed a contract to work in the US, and after a year the employer called to say, the visa is going to be available soon, and I decided - you know what, I’ll stay in Ireland. I like life here.”

Lionel described how the difficulty of tackling the coronavirus wasn’t just limited to assisting patients, but to the nurses’ own wellbeing too. “Some of our colleagues tested positive and got sick. We’re vulnerable to getting it as well. It’s very scary and we can feel really anxious.”

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“Some of the patients have even tried to connect with us since: some of them are sending pictures to the nurses that they know in the hospital, and they’re also saying ‘thank you’. When you see the patient in ICU intubated and very sick, and now they’re smiling out in the sun, it’s really rewarding.”

Lionel is aware of the risks other people have put themselves in to continue working. He shared, “I just want to say thank you to the HSE. I’ve seen the spirit of cooperation of every team in our hospital, and I want to say thank you to all of those people who are really working hard, not only the ICU nurses or the doctors but everybody: the paramedics, the Gardaí, and the retail workers as well - I was going to the shops to get food, and was thinking they’re at risk as well and they still go to work.

So I just want to say ‘thank you.’”

As for Pride this year, it seems that Lionel hasn’t had a chance to consider how he’s going to celebrate. “I might be working during that week! But hopefully there’ll be a celebration at some point.”

CR

Heroes on the

FRONTLINES

Laura Louise Condell Crisis Text Line While crisis support lines were working hard before the pandemic, and will continue to do so in the years after, the current situation has unsurprisingly seen a rise in people anxious about their health.

Laura Louise Condell has been devoted to the LGBTQ+ community for years. From her work with Dublin Lesbian Line and Safe Space (and the rest!), she has been at the frontline of supporting and championing queer people long before the pandemic came along.

Laura Louise is now working with the Crisis Text Line - a text service for those in need of support or who need to talk. While a mainstream service, 30 percent of their texters are young LGBTQ+ people.

The Crisis Text Line is a completely anonymous service staffed by volunteers with extensive training. Some of those involved are psychologists, psychotherapists and paramedics, so texters are in good hands. Their aim is to deescalate a difficult emotional time for their texters into a place of safety.

It is a free service, accessible to all, no matter their age.

While the Irish text line is in its early stages, in the US it is huge, with around 50,000 conversations taking place per month. Research has shown that more people like to chat by text and WhatsApp rather than by phone call.

The anonymity and the directness of being able to text helps people who contact the line to be more open about their situation. Laura Louise explains that during the chat, “We ask people are they feeling suicidal in some way or another in a direct way. And part of that is to normalise that question and to give them a chance to open up, if they’ve been waiting for someone to ask them.”

Since the pandemic, the volume and the types of chats the service has engaged in have changed dramatically. “What we’ve seen here with COVID-19, and it’s been replicated across the other services in different countries is, in the first few weeks of it exploding everywhere we had a 20 percent increase in messages, and almost everything was about COVID anxiety. Almost every single one.”

The Crisis Text Line is available 24 hours a day and can be contacted on their national free number - 50808 - or at their website www.crisistextline.ie

As the pandemic continued, while the volume of chats decreased, the severity of the content seemed to increase.

Laura Louise explained, “We were getting a lot of chats

from people worrying about the Leaving Cert, and then as lockdown went on, the numbers of contacts dropped but if we got a chat it would be somebody who was experiencing much more domestic violence or, for the LGBTQ+ community, people whose families weren’t accepting them, but they were stuck in a house and the house wasn’t a safe place, and way more child abuse disclosures. Those kinds of instances really went up the longer people were stuck in houses together. Now as we start to come out of lockdown, the numbers have gone way up again, and people are back in that anxiety of ‘what now’?”

Laura Louise shared how she would strongly encourage people to contact the Crisis Text Line if they feel they need support. The service is available 24 hours a day and there will always be someone there for you.

For a person so connected to the LGBTQ+ community, will Laura Louise feel the loss of a physical Pride celebration this year? After all this time and with so many achievements for the LGBT+ community, is Pride just as important as it used to be?

Very much, says Laura Louise - “I work with Safe Space, (a peer support group for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, refugees and migrants) and previously I was on the Outhouse Pride Bus with them.

“Some people were wearing masks because they couldn’t show their faces, but being part of such a massive Parade and being in Ireland on a sunny day and getting to be a part of all that – some of them were crying so much. Pride still means the world to people.”

For this year’s Digital Pride, the indefatigable Laura Louise will be hosting the Soapbox Sessions with Dublin Lesbian Line on June 24, providing a platform for LGBTQ+ people to speak personally about mental health.

Laura Louise shares, “Whatever kind of Pride you have, whether it’s inside you, maybe you can’t be ‘out’, but celebrate it how you can. Pride is very special, visibility is hugely important.” PD IN THIS TOGETHER

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IN THIS TOGETHER Proudly supporting Dublin Pride 2020

Those excluded are: — Children conceived using known or anonymous donors.

— Children born to male parents.

— Children born via surrogacy.

— Children conceived or born outside of Ireland.

Fighting for the rights of children

— Children conceived using at-home insemination.

of LGBT+ families in Ireland

— Children conceived via reciprocal IVF. *Note that some amnesties apply for children born

Despite the passing of Marriage Equality

or conceived prior to May 5th 2020.

5 years ago, many children of LGBT+ parents in Ireland are denied the right to have a

Equality for Children are calling on the Government

legally recognised relationship with both

to end this discrimination by publishing the Assisted

of their parents. The Equality for Children

Human Reproduction Bill to include all children born

campaign is fighting for full legal protection

to LGBT+ families; and by updating policy, supports,

for all of these children.

benefi ts and services that benefi t children of heterosexual parents to also include children of

Equality for Children was formed in October 2019 when a group of LGBT+ parents came together to fight for equality for their children.

We are a not-for-profi t organisation that is fully volunteer - led.

Up to May 5th 2020, children born to LGBT+ parents could only have a legal relationship with the parent that was deemed their biological parent. On May 5th 2020, the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 was enacted.

This gave some of these children (approximately 40%) a pathway to a legally recognised relationship with their second parent. However, only those who are conceived as per the narrow criteria as set out in the Act, will be included- leaving around 60% of all children of LGBT+ parents behind.

Volunteer + Donate : www.equalityforchildren.ie Follow us on Instagram @equalityforchildren or on twitter @equalchildren #StillNotEqual #RecogniseBoth

LGBT+ parents.

“It’s all about safety,” Dean shared, “so things like queueing outside at a suitable distance, the plexiglass at checkouts, the social distancing in stores, the priority hours for the elderly/ carers and healthcare workers as well. Some of these are really simple things – but so important to keep us all safe.”

Though restrictions can be challenging, the immense commitment towards upholding these guidelines highlights the impact of shared action. People working in retail are dedicated to building a space where everyone can feel safe accessing necessary items.

However, one thing has taken Dean by surprise, as he expressed, “It’s safe to say I never expected to be considered ‘frontline’, but I’m so proud to be doing my part.”

Burnett counts himself lucky for being able to work throughout the lockdown, finding that it provides him with a solid structure in his day-to-day life. He spoke openly about how he has been coping with the ongoing pandemic, “Everyone has their good days and their bad days with it all; no one could have anticipated how quickly everyone’s lives would change. I’m getting up and going to work every day and that’s really helping me have a focus.

I miss the close contacts of my friends, who I can’t see as much as I’d like or just going out and about in what were normal ways.”

Over the last few years, Burnett took part in Pride festivities with his family and friends alongside many of his colleagues from across the Tesco stores. He enjoyed commemorating this event by joining together with different people from around Ireland.

Heroes on the

FRONTLINES

Though meeting up with friends in person has sadly been restricted as a result of safety guidelines, Dean is looking forward to celebrating Pride all the same. Lockdown has presented a lovely opportunity for more personal connections.

Dean Burnett

Manager at Tesco Though Tesco staff member, Dean Burnett, never expected to be considered a frontline worker, he feels proud to be doing his part and helping out.

Liffey Valley’s Tesco Non-Food Manager, Dean Burnett, has been embracing cooking during lockdown. Though he humorously admits that his baking did not go too well, these everyday changes are providing him with a new outlook on life, especially in terms of what it means to be a frontline worker.

Following health guidelines, Tesco stores continue to provide a crucial service for the public. Along with fellow staff, Dean has been helping towards creating a safer environment in the supermarket for everyone involved.

“At work, people are really embracing the changes, which wasn’t easy for anyone at the start, but we’re all in a good rhythm now.”

Dean continued, “My work days are a bit different, shopping in retail is very different, with different measures in place, everything from queue management, to additional cleaning stations; but all for good reason.”

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Regarding his plans, Dean said, “This year will definitely be quieter! I hope to celebrate at home with my family and partner – my family live nearby, so we’ll be celebrating with social distancing.”

By working together as part of a team, frontline workers are tirelessly ensuring people’s safety remains at the forefront. This resonates with the spirit of Pride- bringing people together, uplifting one another, and working towards a better tomorrow. Considering this, Dean shared the following message for the community, “Keeping being yourself, in all that you do!”

OK

Speaking about COVID-19’s greatest impact upon the fire service, Barbara shares, “For the fire brigade, the biggest challenge we have had is with our PPE [Personal Protective Equipment]. There was a worldwide shortage and we were in the same boat. We had to make sure that we were meeting our legislative requirements but also the safety of our crew. People were genuinely concerned that they didn’t have enough PPE to go out to people’s houses.” This presented an obvious challenge to a service where community engagement and fostering a sense of connection remains at the forefront.

Working in Tara Street Fire Station, Barbara has experienced noticeable changes within her everyday social interactions throughout lockdown. She said, “At this time, you can actually see the level of respect going up from the community when the people in the ambulance or fire brigade are calling to (their) houses, because they are putting their lives at risk just going to the simplest of cases now.”

Barbara further highlighted how this time has brought the fire service team closer together, “You can actually see the camaraderie, the growing-together as frontline workers, getting stronger than it has ever been.”

Though this experience has strengthened bonds among team members and with the public in a positive way, Barbara highlights that the lockdown has also had a negative impact upon people’s wellbeing. She said, “We can see it from members of the community, it is really having a horrific effect on people’s mental health.” In light of this, Barbara shares the following advice for the community, “Stay safe and stay strong. And we are all here to look out for each other.”

This is particularly relevant considering the theme for this year’s Dublin Pride - In This Together - speaks to the importance of showing that no one need face their worries alone.

Heroes on the

FRONTLINES

Barbara Cahill

This year for Dublin Pride, Barbara will be joining in with virtual events alongside Tara Street Fire Station, the Lord Mayor, the Chief Fire Officer, the CEO of Dublin City Council, and other local authorities.

Dublin Fire Brigade This period of lockdown has, for many, resulted in a renewed reliance upon a sense of community. Barbara Cahill notes how this time has built a stronger connection amongst the fire service and the public, and why it is crucial to look out for one another.

During lockdown, Barbara has spent her down-time at home watching television with her wife and taking care of their two dogs, (playfully nicknamed the ‘two little sponges’ for their habit of soaking up sand and bringing it into the house). That down-time is even more necessary at the moment, as at work she has been embracing a new professional role and finding herself busier than ever.

Barbara was recently promoted to the role of Human Resources Officer at Dublin Fire Brigade and has been working tirelessly to ensure both the safety of the team and the public.

As part of Dublin Pride’s first ever digital event, there will be a short video dedicated to the frontline workers whose dedication and perseverance has helped create a safer environment for the community.

Though Barbara jokes about taking a holiday after this busy period, she takes immense pride in the title of frontline worker. Rising to the challenge set out by the ongoing pandemic, she constantly expresses a clear love for her community and a strong dedication in working towards creating a safer environment for everyone.

And as for the upcoming digital version of our celebrations? Barbara shared her excitement, saying, “It’s going to be different, but it’s going to be great.”

OK

IN THIS TOGETHER

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THIS IS THE POWER OF PRIDE It disrupts the status quo. It rallies people together.

It unleashes new ways of thinking. At Accenture, we believe that a culture of equality drives innovation.

And when we move forward as equals, anything is possible.

accenture.com/LGBT

PROUD TO STAND PROUD TO PARTY PROUD MEDIA PARTNER TO

Heroes on the

FRONTLINES

Adrian Lemon Bus Driver

Dublin Bus driver and DJ, Adrian Lemon, helps other frontline workers travel to where they are needed, so he is very aware why it has become more crucial than ever to rebuild connections.

Over the past few years during Pride month, Dublin Bus have launched initiatives to support and share the stories of the LGBTQ+ community. They have tugged at people’s heart strings by releasing uplifting videos featuring LGBTQ+ people opening up about their personal experiences, and through the public transport company’s cooperation, Adrian Lemon has been at the helm of the Bear Bus, which travels along the Pride Parade route.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, this year’s celebrations will be slightly different. Adrian teases plans for a bus to follow the Parade route on the day of the festivities in accordance with health and safety guidelines. He spoke about the significance of this recreation, “We haven’t gone away just because you don’t see the Parade on the street, we will have a presence.”

As a bus driver within the traffic department in Phibsborough, Adrian understands the importance of connection. He shares, “It feels very important to be considered a frontline worker. I’m particularly proud because I feel I’m facilitating other key workers in society to get where they need to be and provide essential services which we all rely on.”

Travelling around the city and helping people reach their destinations, Adrian’s outlook on the title ‘frontline worker’ has also changed. Alongside hospital workers, Adrian shared his deep admiration for cleaners, retail workers, veterinary physicians, and others who may go overlooked, “there are other people who are very essential and they should be remembered too at this time.”

In compliance with updated regulations, the passenger maximum onboard Dublin Bus has decreased from 80 to 20 people. Adrian detailed other changes implemented, such as hand sanitiser dispensers being placed in each vehicle and drivers and cleaners being vigilant about

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IN THIS TOGETHER

keeping their work spaces meticulously clean. Observing everyone going above and beyond to maintain a safe environment, Adrian said, “It makes you proud to be a driver.”

Adrian has also seen positives in his own day-to-day life. With numerous places closed during lockdown, he sometimes finds himself taking a walk around Dublin on his lunch breaks. In a quieter cityscape, he noticed, “The air is cleaner because there is less pollution. Beforehand, there were hundreds of cars just stuck in traffic, chugging away, and you were breathing on the fumes. Now you are walking the same streets and there’s no traffic jams, no cars stuck in the city. The air is cleaner and it’s noticeable.”

While Adrian cannot meet up with people in person, he has been turning to his phone and rebuilding connections with long-lost friends. He opened up about how he only recently got back in touch with an old work buddy. After not hearing from the person in two years, one call later, that connection was reestablished.

Adrian said, “Ring people and have a chat with them. Just because you can’t socialise with them face-to-face, give them a call.”

With Pride upcoming, Adrian shared how he has previously spent celebrations bringing the dance floor to life as the sensational DJ Aggie. Due to the closure of nightlife spaces across Ireland in response to COVID-19, he will be pulling out his iconic vinyl collection for a virtual dance party.

Continuing in that can-do spirit, Adrian expressed, “Stay positive, the situation we have at the moment is unusual, it’s unprecedented. But things will get better.

“If your day isn’t great, try to let it fade away because tomorrow is going to be much better. For tomorrow, you can live for today.” OK

“We’re doing what we do best, and we’re having the impact we always have had,” John explains.

Admittedly, the pandemic brings new challenges to nursing; wards are busier, and the extra layers of PPE can be difficult to deal with too. Crucially, the pandemic has made the provision of emotional support challenging for healthcare workers.

“Psychological and emotional support is always a very important part of our role. It’s enhanced now because we don’t have families coming in, we’re having patients, who in their last moments of their life, don’t have their families with them, which isn’t something we’d normally see in the ICU.” On top of that, many nurses are isolated from their own networks of support - their friends, their family - who they may be living away from at the moment. John’s husband still lives in the UK, so he hasn’t seen him since the beginning of March.

Heroes on the

FRONTLINES

John Gilmore-Kavanagh ICU nurse

When John Gilmore-Kavanagh moved back to Ireland from the UK in March this year, he couldn’t have predicted that his return would coincide with a global pandemic.

John, an Intensive Care Unit nurse with over 10 years of experience, had accepted a position as an Assistant Professor of Nursing at UCD after working as a senior lecturer at Canterbury Christchurch University. When the HSE launched their On Call for Ireland campaign, John was one of 60,000 healthcare professionals to register interest.

With the support of his colleagues at UCD, John started working on the Intensive Care Unit in St Vincent’s University Hospital.

Since March, John has been balancing a full-time academic job with clinical practice on the ICU. John is overseeing the busy assessment period for UCD’s student nurses and midwives, many of whom are on the frontline themselves in a variety of capacities.

John approaches the discourse that equates frontline workers with ‘heroes’ or ‘angels’ with some hesitation.

While he acknowledges that these narratives do draw some much-needed attention to the essential role healthcare workers play in society, he emphasises that frontline staff have always played this role, and will continue to do so long after Covid-19.

“Part of the reason many of us work in healthcare and in nursing is to use our skills for good. This is what we do 365 days of the year. We’re educated and skilled professionals.

While John welcomes the public’s show of support for frontline workers, it’s important for him that the conversation leads to action taken on the inequity surrounding pay and conditions for nurses, and the issues of inequalities within our health system.

When it comes to self-care, John iterates that it’s vital to touch base with his husband, friends and family over Zoom and WhatsApp. John’s own research interests, alongside critical care, include sexual health, sexuality and health inclusion so his work with ACT UP Dublin has also played a large role in coming to terms with the pandemic: “We’ve had lots of conversations about Covid-19, and how it may affect people living with HIV and sexual health services going forward.”

In terms of Pride, John maintains that it is essential to remember that it is a protest: “It’s important that we recognise the background and the underpinnings of Pride and Pride’s relationship to protest, as well as a lot of things that we can be happy about.

“We can see progress in many areas, but we still have big issues around trans access to healthcare, around access to sexual health education for young people, around homophobic, transphobic and biphobic bullying.

Pride should always be a chance for us to raise our voices around these issues while we’re also celebrating with everyone around, being who we are in our own individuality.”

While Pride 2020 will be like no other, John is hopeful that the period will still be a time for reflection and action. While there have been great strides made for equality, there is still a long way to go, both at home and abroad: “We’re seeing significant issues around access to appropriate healthcare for LGBTQ+ people right now that we need to be cognisant of. Organisations like ACT UP are really at the forefront of insuring that we put them on the agenda.

“Pride is more than just a party. The events that go around Pride in terms of the arts, and education are really important as well.” SMB IN THIS TOGETHER

49

We at Black Pride Ireland stand in complete solidarity with the African-American struggle for justice, and demand fair and equal treatment and an end to the merciless killing of Black people.

We hope to see the fruits of their long-lived struggle for liberation, sooner rather than later. We send our deepest condolences to the people affected by the deaths of their loved ones. May they rest in power and may their memory never go in vain.

We would like to point out the importance of international solidarity and resistance.

It is time for the black Irish community to realise that the American struggle unfolding in front of us, is not very different from our own.

We hope that the community is taking care of itself properly. We hope that the perpetrators of injustice, at every level, are held accountable and the victims are afforded their full respect and honour.

The struggle is, and has always been, about the destruction of capitalism, and every other putrid foundation that our world is built on - be they racism, neocolonialism, transphobia, homophobia or class discrimination. Many of the world’s systems that we are accustomed to will be disrupted; we welcome that change. We stand in total belief that there has to be a thorough upheaval in all the institutions that we are beholden to. A new world will be built from its remains.

We want to extend our recognition of the queer and trans voices lost in the noise of these protests. There has been an unending amount of work and organisation led by queer and trans activists. We hope they get the recognition they deserve.

Similarly, we want to highlight the violence enacted on the trans community that rarely makes media headlines. May Tony McDade and Nina Pop rest in power. Black liberation cannot be realised without queer and trans liberation.

We are seeing real momentum towards Black liberation across the world - and we are acting on it.

With love and solidarity, Black Pride Ireland

origins eile.

In light of George Floyd’s death (may he rest in peace) and the countless others affected by police violence and systemic racism, we have been watching a long overdue nationwide mainstream conversation spring up about race in Ireland for the first time.

Your gay uncles (K&M) have been sitting back watching it unfold, best believe we are about to spill all the tea. There has been a flurry of instagram activity around the Black Lives Matter Movement that sometimes feels like a deafening chorus of white people shouting. We are glad that y’all have had this moment of awakening and deepening consciousness its violences to your whiteness and it’s violences for for obvious obvious reasons but honestly it’s hard to listen to sometimes because Black people HAVE been talking about racism in Ireland, y’all just haven’t been listening.

Every damn white person on the internet is jumping on to give their two cents and to be honest a great many of you need to sit down and listen because you don’t have the experience nor the expertise. Speaking in an uninformed way from a position of privilege about race can actually be downright dangerous, damaging and disrespectful.

7KLV LVQ·W D WUHQG WR %ODFN SHRSOH White supremacy is smart and oftentimes results in tokenism, fetishization of Black pain and suffering. So the work you are doing on actively being anti racist today could and will change tomorrow. This must be ongoing internal work.

“YOUR QUEERNESS DOES NOT ABSOLVE YOU OF RACISM.” 2( LV FDOOLQJ \D·OO RXW FX] WKLV DLQ·W ORRNLQJ OLNH VWUXFWXUDO FKDQJH We want to see long term continuous and sustainable effects. Giving up power, redistributing resources, listening to Black folk when they tell you that what you’re doing just isn’t good enough. Adding Black folx to panels as an afterthought? This aint it! We understand that this comes from a place of unlearning out loud. But it’s giving us performativity hunés. a 0HGLD DQG -RXUQDOLVWV a Your “think pieces” on race in Ireland are obsolete.

This is not a debate. Do the research - pay people hire black people, in general not just based on our Blackness. We are not monolithic. We add substance to each space we grace and our narratives must be championed ALWAYS! Not just in death.

a 2Q VROLGDULW\ a What does solidarity look like… Can we eat it? Can we spend it? Can we use it? Ireland as a nation is in Paul’.We Weare areinin its youth. ‘Don’t Fuck It Up - Ru Paul’ danger of shifting public perception from the two problematic viewpoints of Blackness & crime (eww its it’s old an old trope) to Blackness victimhood. an tiredtired trope) to Blackness andand victimhood.

“Ah “Ah jaysus that’s terrible she went through jaysus that’s terrible that that she went through that”that” aka aka trauma much?

We can’t it” away. trauma pornporn much?

We can’t “sure“sure look look it” away.

We We need action behind words.

Passivity will us killall. us We all. need action behind words.

Passivity will kill We have a chance to create the future we want to have a chance to create the future we want to see. see. country This country has progressed immensely do not This has progressed immensely do not become complacent! The time to listen is NOW. This Pride month and every month, week, day & hours whosevoices voicesaren’t aren’tininthe theroom. room. following think about who’s Sit with uncomfortable conversations - we BEEN uncomfortable our whole lives. a 4XHHUQHVV a If you’ve been to The George then you know well of the Dublin drag scene and its ostentatious arrogance arrogance of Black artistry & culture (blackface) this merged with the trope of notorious white gay males appropriating & mocking of African American Black femme identity has identidy hasnever neverbeen beenacceptable. acceptable.ItItshows showsthe thetotal disregard for those that have paved the way total disregard for those that have paved the for way for LGBTQIA+ rights. If Marsha could see us now and the disproportionate separatism within the Queer community what would she say? This has been said it’s aa good good time time to to repeat repeat after after us us -before but maybe its YOUR QUEERNESS DOES NOT ABSOLVE YOU OF RACISM. :KHQ ZH VD\ %/$&. ZH PHDQ $// %ODFN SHRSOH Black folx - direct energy toward each other. You do not have to share your trauma to validate an experience and remember that your story is so much greater than the pain racists have inflicted upon us.

Our intentions will always centre the Queer Black experience experince Unity is the word. POWER TO THE PEOPLE. Origins Eile is putting a nationwide call to Black Queer folx to start creating the community we want to see, we want you to know that we’ve got you. We need to connect now more than ever. Origins Eile is dedicated to creating space for us by us.

IG: @originseile Words: Maia Nunes & Karen Miano from Origins Eile Edit: Oyindamola Animashaun Design: Sal Stapleton In memory of Sylva Tukula

Growing up LGBTI+ isn’t all rainbows.

BeLonG To Youth Services is here to support young people.

6D QTM XNTSG FQNTOR M@SHNMVHCD @MC NƤDQ RTOONQS HMENQL@SHNM @MC EQDD BNTMRDKKHMF ENQ +&!3( XNTMF ODNOKD ADSVDDM @MC XD@QR

You don’t have to be alone.

Find out more at www.belongto.org or call 01 670 6223

Heroes on the

FRONTLINES

Sadie Ryan

Mental Health Nurse Despite actually contracting COVID-19 herself earlier in the year, Sadie Ryan has made a full recovery and is back working to provide much needed care and support to the community during this particularly unsettling time.

HSE staff member, Sadie, is a mental health nurse working in St James’ hospital. Although her role has remained largely the same since the beginning of the pandemic, she explained that the way in which she and her colleagues now have to communicate with one another and continue to provide services differs from the standard procedures that were in place before coronavirus restrictions came into place.

Sadie works as part of an MDT (multi-disciplinary team) of social workers, psychologists, doctors, consultants, nurses and occupational therapists who provide necessary care and treatment for patients; “We work together as a team in order to look after people in all different stages of illness and recovery.”

The team provide treatment for people in in-patient and out-patient care, with a lot of Sadie’s work involving seeing people in their own homes. She discussed the new challenges she is facing in the usually phased process from admission to discharge; “My main role is supporting people to remain at home and reduce their instances of admission. When someone is admitted, the objective is to shorten the admission by providing appropriate supports in the home for them and their family.

“Prior to a person’s discharge, and as part of the discharge planning process, people will usually go home for short visits and return to the hospital. However, that has been greatly impacted by the coronavirus and the need to reduce the movement of people in and out of the hospital.

“The various MDTs have had to adapt greatly to manage this challenge and continue to provide best patient care.”

Sadie explained that although it is not an ideal situation, it is vital in order to keep patients safe. There were a couple of cases of COVID-19 on Sadie’s ward, but as of right now, everyone has tested negative.

The ongoing restrictions will, of course, continue to impact current staff and patients, but there is a worry

around the influx of new nursing students and how their academic progress will be affected by the new measures.

Sadie explained; “We would take on a huge amount of students, nursing staff especially, and would constantly have students both on the ward and in the community.

Getting that experience is a huge part of the nurse training as well as the academic portion in university, so there is definitely a major concern going forward on how we can help provide this experience while also maintaining social distancing.”

Sadie reiterated the importance of maintaining good mental health, especially for those who are going through treatment. Whether it be family, friends, health care staff or a combination of any number of groups, the sense of belonging and support provided by being a part of a community is a key factor in bettering the lives of those living with mental illness.

LGBTQ+ people may be feeling particularly isolated at this time when we all usually join together, and Sadie, like many others, is sad about the changes to this year’s usual celebrations. Describing Pride as “her Christmas,” Sadie will mark the occasion this year with a breakfast morning along with a few close friends in her back garden where they will be able to maintain social distancing.

The meaning of Pride to Sadie is not just as a celebration of the community, but indeed its position as a muchneeded reminder of how much progress still needs to be done; “I don’t think things are finished now. I fear the attitude that ‘you’ve had a marriage referendum, you have gender legislation, so all is good now and everyone is equal’, I don’t think we’re anywhere near finished in the fight for equality.”

While Ireland is ahead of many other counties in terms of LGBTQ+ rights, Sadie described how, as a nation, we must use our voices to not only fight for equality and justice at home, but also to advocate for LGBT+ people worldwide. RK IN THIS TOGETHER

55

The Round Room At The Mansion House

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Of course with COVID-19, many of the activities that would usually pull people together have had to be cancelled due to safety reasons. “Practically everything we would have done has stopped,” Declan explained.

“Anything that gathers people together, from small gatherings of people even meeting for bridge or playing cards to going for walking talks - none of that can happen and so [DCC] have really been trying to help people at home to do a lot of things they can no longer do (outdoors).”

The Holding It Together Apart project was developed by Declan, DCC and artistic director and choreographer, Muirne Bloomer. As this is a challenging time for all and factors such as increased loneliness and anxiety have most certainly had a negative impact on the community’s mental health, the project’s aim is to help people look after and maintain their physical, spiritual and mental wellbeing while in isolation.

The Holding It Together Apart initiative provides a range of activities and interesting projects for people of all ages and backgrounds to get involved in, while also helping many artists, creative developers and professionals make ends meet by providing work during lockdown.

Heroes on the

FRONTLINES

Declan Hayden

Community Development As head of Community Development in Dublin City Council for South East Dublin, Declan Hayden has worked alongside Pride on LGBTQ+ events, as well as various other projects within the community, for a number of years.

Declan explained that his job in Community Development takes a “cradle to grave” approach - working year round providing services for people of all ages. “The main job we do is we work to help all of the communities, all the villages in those areas (South East Dublin). There’s lots of different events, lots of different programmes we’ll run throughout the year to help people around a number of themes.”

Declan’s work includes programmes focused on neighbourhood development, financial support, care for the elderly, social inclusion and interculturalism.

International Women’s Day, Bealtaine and several religious and cultural holidays also feature highly.

There is a heavy emphasis on groups such as Tidy Towns and Friends of Green Spaces as, according to Declan, it really helps to bring people together to take pride in their community.

“Dance, meditation, movement and creative practice to help engage all members of families and households in staying active and calm” are all available, with much more to be added.

Declan noted that, even aside from the project, these unprecedented times have already brought out the best in people. Many have been using their new free time to reconnect with and support their immediate community.

“What’s interesting is that now that people are at home… suddenly they’re coming and talking to their neighbours or talking to people they may not have spoken to before.

They’re looking after their street or looking after their village, they’re looking at the things that need doing.

“So in a funny way, it’s increased the amount of community give-back.”

Declan continued, “so many people have come to us through the volunteer process offering their help, and as a result of this they are getting to know the isolated, vulnerable and needy in the community.”

Pride is yet another important celebration that Declan and the rest of DCC have had to completely reconfigure and reorganise for the sake of public health. Declan is well aware of the importance of Pride for LGBTQ+ people, recognising how the Parade can be a very affirming and healing experience for those who have struggled with their identity, as well as being a great way to meet other members of the community. However, despite the lack of a physical gathering this year, many online events will be taking place in order to keep the community together and connected during this strange time.

Declan said it best himself; “While we can’t gather for Pride, we can still show our Pride.” RK IN THIS TOGETHER

59

SPORTING PRIDE PRESENTS

DIGITAL PRIDE WEBINAR X2 1. STANDING PROUD IN IRISH SPORT: MY LIFE AS AN LGBTQ ATHLETE 2. HOLISTIC HEALTH: THE CONNECTION BETWEEN PHYSICAL & MENTAL HEALTH

JUNE 2020 FULL DETAILS ONLINE AT WWW.SPORTINGPRIDE.IE

Cork Galway Sligo Mayo Belfast

Foyle Dublin

Cork The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) represents 374,000 students across the island of ΖUHODQG b USI has a long and proud history of fighting for LGBTQ+ rights. From a small gathering of students in 1992 at an event called Pink Training, which would grow to become Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ conference, to registering 30,000 students to vote ahead of Marriage Equality, the student movement has always fought relentlessly for a better life for LGBTQ+ young people.

While we can’t be present in a physical parade this year, our activism does not stop. This year we celebrated the five year anniversary of Marriage Equality, which allows us to reflect on memories of the hard fought campaign and the joy of the resounding yes vote, but we know there is more work to be done.

We need an adequately resourced, informed consent model of Trans Healthcare and a lifting of the MSM blood ban which discriminates against people based on their sexuality. We need Gender recognition for the under 16s and proper Gender Identity and Expression policies in our institutions that allow routes for transitioning that are non-intrusive and accessible to Trans and Non-binary people.

We are sure Dublin Pride will return next year with more energy than ever before, and we will be there with the student bloc, armed as always with the drive and passion to make Ireland a more equal place for all its citizens.

Newry

Trans Pride

Carlow

Limerick @TheUSI

@usi.ie

@USI.ie

PROUD PARTNER OF

Dublin Pride 2020

#AcceptanceMatters

Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Š 2020 Mastercard. All rights reserved.

connected and supported during this time. We’re passing information on to people as we get it from the government resources. We’re reaching out to people.

So we would have around 11,000 people on our contact list. When this all started we began the process of calling those people. We are now at the end of May, and we’re up to around 8,000, we have around 3,500 calls left to do.”

Without being able to meet with people face-to-face, Age Action is committed to ensuring that they stay in touch with their communities. “We’re keeping people connected, linking them with volunteers in their area, offering practical support when they need it - shopping, picking up prescriptions. We’ve been helping people as they move from hospitals to their homes. If they’ve been in hospital, they need to ensure that their home is safe for them.”

Covid-19 has disproportionately affected older people, bringing fear and anxiety to many. With this in mind, Age Action has been committed to ensuring that older people are able to connect digitally with their loved ones.

Heroes on the

FRONTLINES

Billy O’Keefe Age Action

Prior to the arrival of Covid-19, Billy O’Keefe’s work with Age Action revolved around supporting older people through lifelong learning and community engagement.

Billy has been working with Age Action for the past four years. As the Lifelong Learning Manager, Billy liaises with over 30 groups of older people around the country, who come together on a regular basis.

From day trips to dance classes to choirs, the activities and events are hugely varied: “We don’t prescribe to any group what they should or shouldn’t do. The group comes up with their own ideas.”

One element of Billy’s work involves a project between Age Action and the EU aimed at events for older LGBTQ+ people. In one outing, the group met at the House of Lords and visited the Seamus Heaney exhibition before enjoying an evening at Street 66.

A programme of events culminating in the group marching at Pride this year was in the works, but due to restrictions the project is taking place over Zoom.

Billy is involved in Age Action’s Getting Started programme, an initiative that focuses on getting older people invested in technology. Participants bring their own devices and receive ten hours of training specific to that device and their own needs and interests. “We don’t come in and teach them how to open an Excel sheet. But they might want to book a flight and visit their daughter in England. They might want to check their bank account, or just read a local newspaper. So we go through how to do that with them.”

Undoubtedly, Covid-19 has disrupted some of the work of Age Action’s programme, but the organisation’s mission remains undeterred. With a sense of urgency, it continues to provide vital services in innovative ways. “We’re ensuring that older people are informed,

64

IN THIS TOGETHER

With the help of their Digital Champions volunteers, Age Action has released a series of guides that outline how to use Zoom, email, Skype, etc. “If an older person is having any trouble accessing these platforms, we can loop them in with a tutor who will go on the phone with them and talk through whatever problems and issues they have,” Billy says. “We’re making it so they’re not afraid of technology, they’re trying to embrace it as much as possible.”

Covid-19 has meant that certain aspects of life - social gatherings, weddings, funerals - can no longer operate in the same, familiar way. Sadly, Billy knows this only too well. Just before Easter, Billy’s aunt passed away due to coronavirus. “It was a really difficult time. She died at nine o’clock in the morning, and was buried at five o’clock that afternoon, with just her immediate family present.

The rest couldn’t travel. We’re a month and a half gone and none of us have been able to visit her grave.”

The devastating loss reiterated the purpose of Age Action’s work, particularly within the context of a pandemic. “When something like that happens, it really puts it into perspective. You start to feel like the little that I’m doing in my work is having an effect on someone else’s life. You don’t mind doing the extra bits of work.”

As June approaches, Billy reflects on what Pride means to him, and why it’s vital to remember the generations that paved the way: “They were the people who were helping to change laws, who broke down barriers, who were fighting discrimination. This part of LGBTQ+ history in Ireland shouldn’t be forgotten.

“It’s fantastic that we can celebrate marriage equality, we can celebrate decriminalisation, but we can’t forget the people who were part of that change, who were part of that fight.”

SMB

Paul acknowledges how the relationship between the communities they serve has facilitated the transition: “The pandemic has allowed An Garda Síochána to refocus and be much more community-orientated than maybe recent times have allowed. The goodwill shown by the public while conducting checkpoints really made the job much easier than it might otherwise have been.”

Heroes on the

FRONTLINES

Paul Clancy Guard

The restrictions saw Paul’s partner, who normally lives in Dublin, move in - a small benefit, Paul notes, which has helped hugely in terms of self-care during this unprecedented time. He notes that at the start of the crisis particularly, the uncertainty around Covid-19 and the danger it posed took an emotional toll. Fortunately, Paul’s work as a Peer Supporter and Conflict Manager meant that he was familiar with the importance of taking care of himself: “I’ve had quite a bit of extra training on mental health and self-care. With that in mind once my shift finishes I mentally turn off ‘work mode’, I leave my uniform at work so that I can physically and mentally disconnect until the start of the next shift. Most members of An Garda Síochána have changed to a new roster to meet the demands required by the crisis and this has most definitely helped physically and mentally. The shifts are long, but the time off between shifts has matched to balance the extra work load.”

When Paul Clancy joined An Garda Síochána 20 years ago, he was motivated by his desire to help people, and to make a difference for the better.

“I decided fairly late in life that I wanted to join An Garda Síochána. I had always considered it,” Paul says. “And at the age of 25 felt personally secure enough to enter and still be myself.”

As well as his work on the frontline, Paul is a Diversity Officer in County Clare, and a founding member of G-Force, which is the support network for LGBTQ+ members of Garda Staff.

Paul works in the Community Policing Unit in Shannon Garda Station, and like many frontline workers, the arrival of Covid-19 has brought a major change in everyday operations. “The crisis has definitely changed the way I live and work.”

In ordinary circumstances, Paul’s role involves public speaking events, so he has turned to digital platforms to carry out vital work. Instead of public meetings, Paul is now dependent on social media to provide crime prevention information. With schools closed, Paul has been emailing information to the schools directly for them to distribute.

Having said that, Paul recognises that the way things operate usually has made these changes easier to adapt to: “I think the manner in which An Garda Síochána operates in normal times, has been a massive benefit to dealing with the challenges of the pandemic. Using community contacts built up over years of community engagement, we were able to quickly put in place and assist local volunteer groups and link them with the most vulnerable in the community already known to us.”

With Pride on the horizon, Paul reflects what the festival means to him, both as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and as a guard: “I’ve had the privilege to join our colleagues in Northern Ireland and walk with the PSNI in Belfast during their Pride celebrations and of course last year in Dublin we were delighted to be able to walk in Dublin Pride and have the PSNI join us.”

Paul is appreciative of the cultural shift An Garda Síochána has seen in recent years, particularly in terms of diversity and inclusion. He explained how it is “a completely different organisation to the past. Even in my 17 years, the organisation has had massive internal changes. It is now a much more open and inclusive organisation - ethnically, socially - and of course for us in the LGBTQ+ community.”

Paul recognises how his own attitudes towards Pride have changed over the past few years: “Having attended both Belfast and Dublin Pride in uniform I now have a new understanding of what Pride means to so many and the reassurance it gives to the LGBTQ+ community.”

This year, Pride celebrations will take place online, yet Paul has plans to celebrate even in a small way: “I will be keeping in touch with my friends up North and will hopefully be able to meet with them soon. I’ll be keeping an eye on online events too. Thankfully, we live in an age where family and friends are only a click away.”

SMB

IN THIS TOGETHER

65

EVEN THOUGH WE CAN'T CELEBRATE TOGETHER WE ARE STILL HERE TO LISTEN AND SUPPORT.

LGBT Helpline 1890 929 539 Gender Identity Family Support Line

01 907 3707

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LGBT IRELAND WISHES YOU A HAPPY AND HEALTHY PRIDE 2020

INMO and LGBT Ireland Pride 2020 WEBINAR ‘Delivering Healthcare to be Proud of’

Wednesday, 24 June 2020 Online from 11am - 2.30pm Sessions • Making Healthcare LGBTI+ Inclusive – a panel discussion with practitioners and LGBTI+ service users • Championing Older LGBT+ people even during COVID19 • Understanding Pre and Post Natal Care for Rainbow Families

Registration information available at www.inmoprofessional.ie and www.lgbt.ie

0Õ

Õ O1 t Õ 8Õ r íô

$MKKSLGRW ?BTMA?AW QSNNMPR Bi+ Ireland provides support, community and advocacy for bi+ people throughout the island of Ireland.

Both our volunteers and members work to bring about a more inclusive LGBTQIA+ community and a society where all of us are valued equally.

Bi+ Ireland provides a safe and welcoming space for all adults that fall under the bi+ umbrella - be they bi, pan, queer or any other identity under the bi+ umbrella.

Bi+ Ireland offers members online spaces in a private Facebook group and a private Discord server.

Bi+ Ireland helps increase bi+ visibility by hosting bi+ events, providing an online presence and selling badges on our website.

'GLB SQ QSNNMPR SQ HMGL SQ Bi Ireland Page Bi+ Ireland Community

biirelandnetwork@gmail.com

@irlBi

www.biireland.com

Share Your

PRIDE Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride launched an open call, asking the community to share what Pride means to them.

We received photos, messages and even short stories, all expressing the best of Pride!

Trevor

LEEN

We’ve printed only excerpts of the excellent short stories, but to read them in their entirety, visit www.dublinpride.ie.

It’s been over a year since I first came out to someone, I am 19 now and out as gay to all my friends and family.

Being gay has had its ups and downs but its been an adventure in itself and I’m more grateful I can actually experience what it’s like in the community.

Happy Pride everyone!

I am finally who I am and I am finally happy.

Tracey

BYRNE

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Victor

YATES

Nikolas

(Short story excerpt) Many firsts happened that day on July 4, 2017. Two male friends, who were to be married on the Cliffs of Moher, delighted their guests with a front row experience at a drag show. Stepping inside Ireland’s oldest gay bar on George’s Street was a first. Hearing hundreds scream slainte in a toast to queer love was another first.

MCKEE

DARAGH Deborah

MUNSLOW My son, Liam Ward, moved from New Zealand to Dublin last year and I had booked a trip to join him at the Pride Parade - I’d even bought a t-shirt showing a map of New Zealand in Pride colours.

I was so looking forward to seeing my son again and supporting him at the Parade.

(Short story excerpt) I think everyone can agree that any concept of routine has been turned on its head.

There’s no school runs. No bingo nights. No GAA matches or trainings. Therefore it seems that to get through something so vast and incomprehensible, the little things have become even more important. They have been our distractions.

However for me at least in regard to my coming out and general experience in regards to the LGBTQ+ side of things, its always been the little things...

Ruth

Craig

DEMPSEY

MAGUIRE

(Short story excerpt) All my friends sit in a circle asking everyone to name their crush. My hands fidget and I avoid eye contact. Please just skip me.

Or change the subject. I don’t want to deal with the questions again.

(Short story excerpt) The sky is stained pink as the echoed laughter acts as the only evidence for the prior happenings. The clouds dance around each other, as if to play tribute to the previous festivities, the dancers below accompanying them with a seemingly neverending interpretative pas de bourree to the nearest taxi rank. Giggling and bursting with life, she turns, her eyes obtaining a final look at the performance above her head.

“You can’t not like anyone. Why won’t you tell us who it is? Do we know them?”

The lies roll off my tongue and I make up stories about an imaginary crush from a different school. Maybe I’m just not ready to like anyone. Maybe when I’m a little older.

“Are you straight or are you gay?” PICK ONE. But what if you can’t pick one? What if you’re neither?

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H

A P

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Deaf LGBT+ Society of Ireland

P R I

D E

Stay Home, Stay Safe #InThisTogether deafgreenbowlgbt@yahoo.ie | Text: 087 339 5531

This Is Me - Transgender Healthcare Campaign advocates for safe, accessible, best practice, person centered healthcare for transgender and non-binary people in Ireland.

We are also here to provide information and support to those trying to access and/or currently receiving trans specific healthcare in Ireland or abroad.

This Is Me -Transgender Healthcare Campaign

@ThisIsMeIreland

TimCampaignIreland@gmail.com

IN THIS TOGETHER

IN THIS TOGETHER

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Cover

STARS Moira

Fowley-Doyle For the very first time this year, Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride invited our fabulous community to design the cover of the Pride Guide, and they did not disappoint!

Talented artists created amazing images, making the final decision on who would grace the cover very difficult indeed.

In the end, a beautiful illustration by the incredibly talented Moira Fowley-Doyle was selected as the image to represent this very special Dublin Pride, and we have taken this opportunity to highlight some of her other wonderful pieces.

You can see all of the other entries for the cover competition in the pages that follow. Congratulations to all the artists!

For my cover, I wanted to create something cozy and comforting, something that reflects quiet hope and connection. These are particularly difficult times for so many vulnerable people, and many LGBTQ+ folks are forced to stay in unsafe situations.

Virtual connection is so important when physical queer spaces are closed, and Irish organisations are working hard to keep people safe and connected.

My image for Digital Dublin Pride is of a couple watching the Virtual Parade from the comfort of their blanket fort.

I wanted to submit a colouring book page because I love the idea of colouring pages as collaborative art. Like the Virtual Parade itself, and the digital events surrounding it, we are all contributing to Pride this year from our own homes.

By colouring in this page, we’re all contributing to the Pride Guide too.

I’m very interested in colouring pages as collaborative art, so am working on a colouring book and a tarot deck, which I hope to release next year, but my day job is writing books.

I’m the author of three young adult novels: The Accident Season, Spellbook of the Lost and Found and All the Bad Apples. I am also one of the short-story contributors to the Proud anthology edited by Juno Dawson.

My work is all queer young adult magic realism set in Ireland, and has been shortlisted for the Waterstones Book Prize, the CBI awards and the Irish Book Awards among others.

To me, Pride means visibility. It’s a celebration of how far we have come and a rallying cry for how far we have yet to go.

I’ll be watching the Virtual Parade with my five and seven year-old daughters, who look forward to Pride all year and were very disappointed to hear the Parade had been cancelled. I’ll be donating to organisations like BeLonG To and TENI who do vital work for the LGBTQ+ community.

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You can follow Moira on Instagram and Twitter @moirawithatrema and her website www.moirafowley.com

IN THIS TOGETHER

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HOLDING FIRM WITH PRIDE

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HOLD FIRM WITH PRIDE WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER

C E L E B R AT I N G P R I D E 2 0 2 0

Rachel

Eamon

Amy

Harbron

McNelis

McCosker

I chose to create this piece with this year’s theme of In This Together in mind. My aim was to create a lighthearted and fun piece that represents inclusivity and the spirit of Pride celebrations.

Right now, bears of colour are very underrepresented on the scene, and I want to help alleviate that in my art. I also wanted to show a sense of inclusiveness with the bear’s trans partner - people who also need acceptance, support and protection in our community, now more than ever.

Due to the absence of bars this year, I think that a big bag of cans will be part of most celebrations, including Pride! The rainbow has always symbolised promise and hope but over the last couple of months it has become even more iconic so I thought why not put both of the ideas together!

I graduated in Animation at BCFE last year, and it’s helped me develop and grow as an artist.

My illustrations tend to focus on my everyday life.

They incorporate a bit of current affairs but from my own perspective, which normally includes a bit of wit.

I usually draw and paint traditionally but lately I have begun creating more work digitally and have been experimenting by creating simple stylised illustrations.

For me, Pride means self-acceptance, visibility and celebrating the freedom to love.

I’ll be spending Pride this year at home with my beautiful wife but will definitely be tuning in to watch the Digital Pride Parade online.

Follow Rachel on Instagram at @rharbron

Pride means celebrating what we’ve achieved so far, but also not forgetting that there’s still work to be done. It means putting our differences aside and fighting for everyone’s equality. It means not being ashamed of who you are, despite what others might tell you otherwise.

We’re all dealing with self-isolation right now, but it’s good that we can still do things together online, whether it be playing games or watching a movie.

Follow Eamon on Instagram and Twitter @pocketbearillustrator

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Pride is a celebration of diversity and equality. It’s becoming more and more relevant in Ireland and I am so proud to see how far we have progressed.

I would normally have celebrated Pride with my friends in Barcelona but the current situation has sent me running back home. I’ll be sitting in my mum and dad’s with a big bag of cans like half of the 30-somethings in Ireland!

Follow Amy on Instagram @tinyhandsbigheart or email tinyhandsart@gmail.com

Victor

Jonathan

Niall

Yates

Doonan

O’Sullivan

I chose this image because it represents everything that I love about Pride. It is riotous, outrageous, and represents the highest form of queer creativity going against societal norms.

The theme this year is In This Together, so the hands represent the hand we all have in our community to make changes that will affect the younger generation of LGBTQ+ people.

My first passion is writing. My debut novel, A Love Like Blood, which won the Lambda Literary Award for LGBTQ Debut Fiction, combines my love of writing with my love of photography. It explores the relationship between a father and son who run a photography shop and examines the intersections of race, sexuality, religion, immigrant life, and how they impact their relationship.

I recently completed a HND in Graphic Design in Bray where I made business cards, posters, leaflets and illustrations.

Pride is a time for togetherness but it’s a bit different this year. I wanted to capture that bittersweet sense of missing the people you’d normally be with, but also feeling somehow connected, in particular at this time.

Pride means knowing LGBTQ+ history and why we celebrate. In doing so, we honour our elders and the unsung heroes of the liberation movement.

I will celebrate by watching virtual Pride marches across the world, reading up on additional LGBTQ+ history, and working with other LGBTQ+ artists to host online events.

Pride reminds me of the struggle and sacrifices that were made by the older generation of the LGBTQ+ community in a time when it was illegal to be who you were in Ireland, and that there is still a lot more work to do.

I plan on watching the digital celebrations while wearing my Pride t-shirt.

You can follow Jonathan on Facebook at Jonathan Doonan Graphic Designs

My work is almost always a combination of hand drawn and digital illustrations. Recently, I’ve been focusing on little architectural features in my local surroundings that I’ve noticed on my walks.

For me, it’s all about getting together with friends and family to celebrate, thinking about how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go.

For Pride this year, I’m lucky to have my boyfriend and a number of close friends living locally.

Hopefully my housemate and I will be able to celebrate with them (from a safe distance of course).

You can follow Niall on Instagram @nodesigns_art

You can follow Victor on Instagram @writervicyates or on his YouTube channel WriterVictorYates

IN THIS TOGETHER

83

Place To Safely Be Permanent TSB is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and supportive environment where our colleagues feel engaged, valued and are given the support that they need to be the very best that they can be.

Founded in 2019, our LGBTQ+ Employee Network PRISM promotes and values individual differences no matter how our people identify, in a trusting and respectful environment.

We want to congratulate the Network on a successful ďŹ rst year and are proud to celebrate Pride alongside them.

Proudly supporting Pride.

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Testing Treatment U=U PrEP PEP Condoms Needle Exchange Education O

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Happy Dublin Pride from the MPOWER team www.hivireland.ie/mpower MPOWER is an initiative of HIV Ireland and funded by the HSE

An initiative of

Empowering gay and bisexual men with sex-positive, judgement-free and harm-reduction based responses to our sexual health and wellbeing needs.

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Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

At Bord Gรกis Energy we believe in a workplace where everyone can bring their whole selves to work.

Proud to be supporting our LGBTQ+ colleagues.

The road to

EQUALITY Five years after the vote that changed how the world saw us and how we saw ourselves, Peter Dunne revisits the journey to achieving marriage equality in Ireland with some of the activists involved in the fight.

Prides around the country are taking what is available to them and fighting back against the ridiculous idea of cancellation, they are going digital, recognising that, this time, there’s even more opportunity to include people who might not be able to march, who might not be able to travel, and making this a celebration for the ages.

It was that same fighting spirit, refusing to make do with what we were told, not accepting the scraps, that led to achieving marriage equality.

At the beginning of this year, the LGBT+ community couldn’t have imagined we would encounter an unseen foe that would force Pride off the streets. But if we had, what we would have guaranteed was that we would refuse to let it keep us down.

The queer community in Ireland has fought tooth and nail for every scrap of justice, every bit of equality has been hard won. But we don’t just fight back in retaliation, in response – we lead the charge.

While we may not be able to gather together in number and fill the streets with colour, defiance, cheer, the rainbow flag is still peering out from behind a cloud. No Parade? We mourn, for just a moment, there’s no time, then we regroup, rethink, and put our shoulders back to the wheel.

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Like with many historic happenings, people remember where they were that day five years ago, how it felt to hear that 62 percent of the country had decided that a change was long overdue. But while for some the exact memories might not be as immediate, as easy to pinpoint, we also remember what it felt like for all those years before the change, to live unsure about whether Ireland was as caring towards its LGBTQ+ citizens as its claim about being the land of a thousand welcomes would suggest.

As in many struggles, it was the younger generation that helped turn the tide. While the LGBTQ+ community and its allies came out in force during the weeks leading up to the referendum, there had been a grassroots movement happening in colleges long before.

Laura Harmon, who was then President of USI (Union of Students in Ireland) shared memories of a gathering momentum for positive change. “When the referendum happened, there had been a buildup of campaign building and training. Colleges, in the years coming up to it, had been having referendums on their own campuses to get their own stances. We knew from the numbers that over 90 percent of young people were in favour of marriage equality.

That fact made it all the more important that this referendum simply had to be won - as both sides of the fence were very much aware.

In the days leading up to the vote, posters lined the streets, television programmes were filled with debates, some of the No side introduced the issue of surrogacy, trying to swing the attention away from the matter at hand. For those reasons, the power of one-toone conversations could not be underestimated. A successful result would mean taking the argument out of the academic and showing people that there were real people whose lives would be affected by their vote.

What can not go unmarked was the bravery it took for canvassers to go door-to-door, facing possible attack, to speak directly to the folk who would make a decision at the ballot boxes.

“There was a lot of enthusiasm coming from students themselves and from student unions and LGBT+ societies across the country wanting to get involved. They were pushing us (USI) to do as much as we could. So in terms of bringing the movement together, it was events like Pink Training, which has been running for over 20 years now, that would have been really instrumental in training students in terms of campaigning, in terms of lobbying, in terms of canvassing, and it was just about galvanising and mobilising that movement, and making sure that they turned out to vote.”

Mark Kelly was then the Executive Director for the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, he would go on to lead the Pride Parade as Grand Marshall, along with Gráinne Healy and Brian Sheehan – the Co-Directors of the Yes Equality campaign. Mark remembers that time well. “For me, the marriage equality referendum was not primarily a right of same sex couples to marry, it was about equality.”

When, after a long fought battle by many activists over many years, then Taoiseach Enda Kelly declared in December 2014 that a referendum for same-sex marriage would be held “no later than mid-2015,” it was time to kick things up a notch.

Kelly confronted a harsh truth that sometimes gets glossed over in the glow of a successful result. He explained, “For me, in some ways, the referendum was an absolute abomination, because it was asking the permission of a majority of people in the country for a minority (to have) their equality recognised.”

Jamie Kenny was one of those canvassers. He shared how you couldn’t predict people’s reactions: “You would have some people who had reservations, and then you’d maybe be able to have a conversation with them. Even if you didn’t necessarily win them over outright, you got them thinking and engaging with a topic that they felt maybe didn’t directly affect them. And sometimes you would knock on the door and people would politely tell you to piss off.”

It wasn’t just the LGBTQ+ community, it was also our allies who did that canvassing. But why would a straight person fight just as hard for the right for LGBTQ+ people to marry who they loved as a queer people would?

“Because it was right,” explained Mimi Bunting. “Because I didn’t want my child growing up in a world where there wasn’t equality.” Mimi spoke about her daughter, Lily, coming home from primary school confused by the upcoming referendum. “She said the kids in the class just can’t understand why this should be a vote for people. Why do we have to vote to let people get married? And I remember it just struck me - that’s the generation we’re taking life away from.”

So what did it feel like for those who went door-to-door?

Mimi explained how she would turn up for canvassing and organisers would explain to those gathered what they could expect. “People will ask questions and if somebody gets a bit angry, don’t get into the argument with them. Just say, ‘thank you for your time’ and leave it at that, because we’re not here to change people’s mind who have staunch beliefs. We’re just here to tell personal stories and help people understand who are maybe on the fence.”

Was there a sense in how the vote was going based on those personal encounters, I ask her. “It was quite a mixed bag,” she explained, “some people just galvanised you, they would be like - ‘brilliant job, you’ve got our vote.’

And you get a sense of exhilaration at that. But there was one in particular that stayed in my mind - he said something really disgusting to one of the people at the door next to us.

IN THIS TOGETHER

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DUBLIN

ACT UP Dublin is a diverse, non-partisan group of individuals united in anger and committed to direct action to end the HIV crisis.

Our members include both HIV-positive and HIV-negative people. We are open, democratic, consensus-driven, and committed to grassroots empowerment.

We recognise that the HIV epidemic is a political crisis.

We therefore challenge indifference and neglect on the part of government, state agencies, non-governmental organisations, community institutions, and the public at large.

We fight the greed of corporations.

We investigate and educate.

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We fight ignorance and shame about sex and the institutions that perpetuate them. We promote sexual freedom and we support the reproductive rights of all people. We oppose hostility toward and discrimination against HIV-positive people.

We understand that HIV vulnerability reflects social inequalities and that combatting the epidemic is part of a broad struggle for social justice. We fight for equitable access to health care and services. We support a drugs policy that prioritises health rather than criminalising people who use drugs.

WE PROTEST. WE DEMONSTRATE. WE ARE NOT SILENT.

The day of the result, while many headed off to Dublin Castle in hopeful preparation for a successful outcome, Jamie Kenny was working at the count centre in Citywest, and he had a strange twist of fate in store.

“It just so happened that I was counting the votes from my own polling station,” he shared, “and as the votes started pouring out, I think I counted like 20 or 30 No votes in a row. I thought - ‘It’s a disaster’.

“But then all of a sudden, more boxes opened. Yes. Yes. Yes. A huge array of Yes votes. And the No pile just kept on shrinking and shrinking in comparison.”

Images from the celebratory gathering in Dublin Castle to hear the results of the vote are now ingrained on the community’s conciousness. Tears ran freely on the faces of those assembled, and not just tears of joy – but of relief. And pride. Our little country had become the first in the world to legalise gay marriage by popular vote.

The tide had turned.

“It was difficult to swallow that down, that they had just said that to somebody, a human being putting themselves out there being vulnerable. But you do just swallow it down, and keep trucking, and the next person who answers their door gives you faith in humanity again.”

You can’t choose your family, but for the people you associate with, if you’re LGBTQ+ you’re not very likely to hang around with people who disagree with your way of life. Therefore, at times during the campaign, it was difficult to gauge just what the country thought of you.

So there is no denying the emotional wallop provided by the Home To Vote movement when Irish people living abroad returned to vote in their droves.

Mark Kelly also had a strong sense in how it would go based on reactions the Yes Equality campaign received. “We had a car that we had decorated in Yes Equality branding with some bullhorns, etc. Colleagues spent some time driving around Dublin playing music and asking people to vote, handing out stickers and all the rest of it. In North Inner City Dublin, the car was constantly stopped by people asking for stickers, asking for leaflets, saying they were going to vote Yes. We couldn’t stop at a traffic light and we would be approached.”

Whatever the sense of growing positivitiy, the night after the voting took place and before the polls were announced was a sleepless one for many. Could the community dare to imagine equality, or was it tempting fate?

Although Mark Kelly had expected a positive outcome, he hadn’t counted on the effect it would have. “I think what I wasn’t prepared for was the sheer emotion of the event, especially when the size of the win became clear.

It was an enormously significant moment for Ireland, as well. It was the first really clear evidence of a paradigm shift, a generational shift, of a tipping point having been reached and surpassed in terms of social attitudes. That was enormously important, and I think it certainly paved the way for what happened in terms of the referendum to Repeal.”

Speaking from my own experience, having grown up scared about being ‘out’ in my own working class hometown, to watch the numbers coming in on the day and see that Ballyfermot had voted 85 percent Yes, and that Cherry Orchard, only minutes walk from my door and where my cousins lived, was 90 percent Yes - it changed me.

I remember leaving my house with my partner and for the first time not only being unafraid to hold his hand in public, but wanting people to know who I was and who I loved.

Jamie had a similar experience, “Growing up in Clondalkin, we were always trying to escape to the City Centre with friends, maybe because we didn’t feel like we really belonged or that we weren’t supported in the areas we’re from. The referendum showed that working class areas were really strong Yes votes. It’s nothing to take away from more affluent areas, nothing at all to say that they don’t embrace equality, but the difference is that working class areas are often demonised in the national media, that there’s an intolerant vibe, but I think both that and the Repeal campaign showed that actually justice and equality are at the forefront for working class communities.”

IN THIS TOGETHER

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SUPPORT, EDUCATION, ADVOCACY

WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER

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Rural communities, who are often overlooked in the national conversation, also shook off similar assumptions. Gráinne Healy Co-Director of Yes Equality, spoke of her own realisation. “I remember maybe four or five days after the referendum, I was obviously wrecked, as was everybody who had worked on the campaign, and we got an invitation to travel up to Donegal to stay with friends.

Brian Sheehan shared the lasting affect the result had on him, saying, “I imagined a young person who was LGBT+, quietly to themselves, seeing that the people of Ireland, by an enormous majority, have said, ‘you’re okay’. I think that was extremely important. But it was also only a step.

There was still a huge amount of work to do to ensure that LGBTQ+ people were treated equally in Ireland and there remains so.”

“Driving up, we’d just hit Donegal and as we went through a small town, the post office and the shop beside it were covered in Yes Equality posters and rainbow flags. It was amazing. Being in Dublin and seeing the support there was incredible, but driving through this tiny town, you thought - that’s different. That was a mobilisation for our cause we’ve never seen before.”

A change needed to come, and so it did. But all is not done. Systematic racism is endemic. There is still a lack of proper hate crime legislation in this country, trans people cannot access necessary healthcare, LGBT+ families do not have the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts, people stagnate in Direct Provision. But what that referendum and the movements that followed showed, is that Ireland and its people are empathetic, and are becoming more empowered.

Parts of the nation and people often discounted were at the forefront in telling the LGBTQ+ children of Ireland that they supported them.

For the 2015 Pride celebartions, Mark Kelly, Gráinne Healy and Brian Sheehan, also Co-Director of Yes Equality, were selected as the Parade’s Grand Marshalls.

I asked Mark how it felt to be at the front of a march celebrating not just that day, but all the years leading to that day. “What really made it for me was all the way along the route there were people who were lining the street, but there were people who were in their own houses, just hanging off the balconeys of these apartments, having little parties their front gardens,” he shared. “It was just such a joyful day.”

Pride this year is showing that there is nothing we can not overcome when we are together. We may be separated in body, but not in spirit. And while we unite online, we know we will be together on the streets again. Soon.

IN THIS TOGETHER

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NestlĂŠ UK & Ireland is proud to support its LGBT+ network and employees in leading the way at this years Digital Dublin Pride.

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PRIDE IN WHO WE ARE At ESB, we believe that having an inclusive workplace benefits all of our people, our customers and the communities we serve.

Learn more at www.ESB.ie.

The Mercantile Group proudly supports Dublin Pride 2020 We can't wait to welcome you back into our venues soon! mercantilegroup.ie

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ENOUGH IS ENOUGH TRANS & INTERSEX PRIDE

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Our group supports and advances the cause of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender primary school teachers.

We hold formal meetings about six times a year as well as regular social events. More information about the group, including meeting dates/times can be found on our website as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

New members are always welcome!

Our Different Families, Same Love Competition wins big at the GALAS Awards in the Event of the Year Category.

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Over 250 primary school teachers from across Ireland attend the LGBT+ Inclusive School INTO Equality Conference in February 2020.

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The Lived Workplace Experience of LGBT+ Teachers in Ireland documentary film launched and the INTO Equality Report 2020 published.

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Inclusion matters.

Diversity matters.

Pride matters.

For over a decade, the Ulster Bank Rainbow Network has supported LGBTI+ colleagues, friends and family. This year is no different.

Wherever youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re celebrating Pride 2020, we hope that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one to remember.

Wishing you the best this Pride

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The staff of GMHS wish you a fun and safe Dublin Pride.

We hope to re-open soon

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HEALTH SERVICE The Meath Primary Care Centre Heytesbury Street, Dublin 8, D08 HX97 The STI clinical services are for all gay, bisexual and menwho have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people

(1995-2020) Celebrating 25 Years together!

What it means to sing in GlĂłria ... â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a family, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been so much support in good and bad times. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m so proud of the work we do within our FRPPXQLW\bDQG RXWVLGH RXU community, and to show that we are just like everybody HOVH b$QG LWČ&#x2021;V MXVWbZRQGHUIXOČ&#x2039; b Origial GCN ad October '95

Deborah Fortune, Soprano since '95.

"Being part of Gloria is very important to me, for many different reasons. It's not just the friendships, the chance to share music, and bringing that to a wider audience. It's about creating and being part of a community. Solidarity, support, encouragement, and advocacy are just some of the spin offs. Living our lives publicly, celebrating our diverse family, and using the incredible power of music are ways to be the change we want to see. The connections within the LBGT+ community, and with so many others we have reached, have enriched us all. We are indeed stronger together."

Walt Kilroy, Tenor since '96

HAPPY PRIDE 2020!

be sharing the good times in person. Walking in the parade and 'representing' in the community is such a huge part of our final term. We are genuinely gutted that we won't get to hold a live summer concert this year, and see you all in person. We will "hold firm" like we are supposed to and promise that when we get the chance to be together again - it will be fantastic!

Have a wonderful festival - stay safe.Č&#x2039; Ian x

WWW.GLORIA.IE

WE MISS YOU â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the hugs, the music and the soul fest spirit of gathering all our tribes together for another LGBTQI+ Pride season! A big thank you to everyone keeping us all connected. Ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t no global pandemic gonnaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rain on our parade even if we have to celebrate from the safety of our own homes. We had a "It's the name of the game..." busy year lined up and were looking forward to sharing inclusive name upgrade it with you - thank goodness we had the amazing 'Winter â&#x20AC;&#x153;$s a Bisexual woman, I'm Pride' event and Christmas at St. Pat's. Sadly our big delighted that GlĂłria Dublin's Lesbian & Gay Choir has now solidarity concert in Krakow, Poland this June has been officially been postponed along with all other fundraisers and concerts, renamed GlĂłria LGBT+ Choir. but we look forward to rescheduling and hope youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll I've been a member continue to show your support! Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re 25 this year and of GlĂłria since 2008, and this name change makes me feel we're still going strong; new members every year, new visible, recognised and more music, new venues and after much consultation we included than ever in have a new logo and an upgraded and inclusive name to my GlĂłria choir family.Č&#x2039; -DQH )UHHPDQ $OWR match our ethos. Originally founded to provide a safe and comfortable space for those within the L & G $V D WUDQV SHUVRQ LW FDQ EH GLIILFXOW WR EH VXUH community to meet and sing together, and to promote a that you are welcome in spaces that were positive image of LGBT life in Ireland. Our travels have traditionally lesbian and gay. When Gloria's name was updated to include the 'T' in LGBT+, it showed brought us to all corners of society and we have been so me that, although I was probably welcome proud to represent an ever growing and before, that the people involved want to see me developing community. While Ireland continues to walk through the door and know that I'm meant change for the better since our foundation in '95, we to be there. For me, Gloria LGBT+ Choir is a family full of diversity that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m so happy to be part of. I remain committed to our vision and think and hope that our name change will Outreach Programme â&#x20AC;&#x201C; traveling extensively, bringing PHDQbWKDW RWKHU WUDQV SHRSOH DUH PRUH OLNHO\ WR the joy of harmonious music and flying the flag. As a come forward and join our family in the future!"

6DPb%ODQFNHQVHH %DVV registered charity we do lots of fundraising for community projects and important causes and we thank you for all the years of support. Wherever you are this Love from our Musical Director, Ian Packham â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Lockdown Prideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; we send our love â&#x20AC;&#x153;Happy Pride! It seems so strange that we won't and Happy Pride wishes, love your GlĂłria family.

DUBLIN PRIDE 2020 A New Opportunity GALAS 2020 Person of the Year, Evgeny Shtorn, recognises how a Digital Pride this year will be a great opportunity for Dublin Pride to visit every single home across the country, and that Pride is not something that can be cancelled.

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IN THIS TOGETHER

Dublin Pride 2020 has not been cancelled or postponed, because Pride is not a cancellable event.

No one and nothing, not even the new coronavirus, could take away our dignity and sense of community. Because it was not given to us - we fought for it for centuries. Fought to be proud LGBTQ+ people. A community. A diaspora.

Nonetheless, the empty streets of Dublin during Pride 2020 will give us a chance to reflect on what we are suddenly lacking this year.

Challenging times, fear and uncertainty have reached everyone, have arrived at every single house: from mansions in Dalkey to Direct Provision dorms in County Kerry. For some people, this is a chance to show support and solidarity, yet for others – an opportunity to blame everyone else.

As queer people, we have always known what it means to live in fear of a virus. We have always known what it means to be isolated. And so we also know how to support each other and those who need help most of all, those who are at risk and also those who remain invisible, those who are under-resourced and those struggling to make our society more just and open.

We know that if someone is sleeping on the street, in Direct Provision or emergency accommodation, if someone is getting bullied, discriminated, and neglected, it means we have failed them: it is our mistake, it is our responsibility.

I am a stateless person, and as a stateless person I have always known that the only people I can appeal to and can expect support from are my people, LGBTQ+ people, who have experienced loneliness, exclusion and violence in its totality.

We have to stay committed to advocate on an international level against the abuse of human rights.

I am proud to currently live in the Republic of Ireland: this country is welcoming me and I am grateful for all the wonderful people I met and all the fantastic moments I’ve lived through here in the last few years. Since I moved to Ireland, my heart has become ginger and full of freckles.

Precisely because of this, I am not adapting to the injustices I’m facing here. On the contrary, I will do my best to fight for a better society and make this small island a brighter place.

As LGBTQ+ people, we know a lot about love, and all our struggles have always been about our right to love who we want. But we know that there should be no blind love for a person or a country - as one of the first Russian dissidents, Petr Chaadaev, said, “with eyes closed, my head bowed, and my lips locked. I find that people can be useful to their country only if they clearly see it; I think that the time of blind love has passed.”

As a movement we are following the famous feminist approach, where the personal is political. And, therefore, I would like to explore LGBTQ+ issues in Ireland through my personal experience.

I came to Ireland from St Petersburg in January 2018. Last autumn, after many months in Direct Provision, I received a confirmation of my refugee status.

These few lines describe me very well, although behind every single word there is an entire novel to be told: sometimes tragic, sometimes funny, always hard to go over.

It has been almost a decade since Russian regional and federal governments initiated an anti-LGBTQ+ campaign that expressed itself in the notorious legislation against ‘gay-propaganda.’ Even when this legislation was only discussed it was clear that the law was dysfunctional, impossible to enforce, but it was also clear that the law would activate self-censorship and that the state unequivocally sided with homophobes. It has translated into anti-LGBTQ+ purges in Chechnya, it increased hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people in Russia and several post-Soviet countries. The hate enacted by this law has finally contaminated spaces all over the globe, advancing ‘selective affinity’ with the policies of such rulers as Jair Bolsonaro, Viktor Orban or Hassanal Bolkiah.

When Russian parliament voted for that absurdist law, that was a moment for the Russian LGBTQ+ community to feel particularly vulnerable, desperate, and scared.

The ways of responding to that threat were different.

Some got terrified. Some left the country. Some tried to fight back. But most of us normalised living in fear: hiding one’s sexuality, feeling exposed to additional risks every time when leaving one’s house or every time someone knocked on the door.

IN THIS TOGETHER

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EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is proud to support our LGBTQ+ community.

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Back this Autumn www.gaze.ie

Silence has always been equal to death and so now we have to be loud.

Being non-heterosexual is a condition of additional risk of vulnerability and exposure to violence and discrimination. While being non-heterosexual does not mean to be vulnerable per se, current societies create this condition of vulnerability for non-heterosexual people.

The same can be said about displaced people. It is a condition of additional risk. It can break some people. It can make some people stronger.

In Ireland, displaced people who are in need of international protection live in Direct Provision centres. Does it mean that the LGBTQ+ people in Direct Provision are the strongest residents of those notorious living facilities? Since they are affected by both the condition of displacement and that of nonheterosexuality, are they not the ones who have trained their souls to face any hardship with honour?

Let me describe one incident that happened to me in Direct Provision.

At the time I was a newbie in the system and still believed that it could be improved, while now I am certain that it must be abolished. It was an open day in one of the facilities where I was residing. I learned from a social worker that no LGBTQ+ NGO would be represented during the open day. So I went to Dublin’s Outhouse and collected many LGBTQ+ leaflets, brochures and a few issues of GCN. The Irish Refugee Council gave me some cash to buy a rainbow flag, too.

I organised my information desk. I expected that in the centre, which was quite big in terms of the number of residents, there would be some people interested in the information.

No one approached my stand.

No one took those leaflets.

Moreover, people who talked to me or sat with me in the common canteen before, started avoiding me after that day.

I became the gay guy. The open one, the proud one, and the politicised one.

Was it frightening? It was. But it was also a reassuring act of claiming my own space, of becoming visible, but nevertheless exposed. I understand that this is not everyone’s path.

From this anecdote I want to come back to my question about the strength of displaced LGBTQ+ people. We have no choice but to be stronger than anyone!

It is absolutely crucial to be strong for LGBTQ+people in schools and colleges facing homophobia, for those on the streets or on public transport holding hands, for those in Direct Provision, where one is constantly observed. We have to be stronger if we want to overcome everyday fears, reenactments of our trauma, the panic of being discovered, bullied, or humiliated. Pride has always been about the visibility of our strength, even when we were criminalised, when we were stigmatised, and even demonised.

This year the silent and almost invisible Pride Parade shall be noisier than ever before - a reminder to everyone about those of us who live under oppressive regimes, constant vigilance, and fear, because of the mere fact of being who we are.

It does not matter whether you are a visible member of LGBTQ+ community or not. What matters is the very fact of that which makes us vulnerable also makes us stronger.

2020 has become one of the most significant and difficult in the newest history of humanity. A nuclear mushroom as a symbol of the apocalypse has been replaced by the horned spheroid of the coronavirus. COVID-19 chained billions in their houses. It made it impossible to march together, give hugs and kisses to each other.

Hence, the virus attacked one of the core human rights, which is freedom of assembly.

This insidious virus reinforced the authoritarian – by default homophobic, transphobic, misogynist, and racist – regimes all over the world who have used this state of emergency for their own interests. And on top of that it has made it harder for us to fight back, to take to the streets and show them that we are not afraid, that we are together, and we are multitude.

It is time once again to demonstrate incredible solidarity, creativity, and courage, like we did with ACT UP in 1980’s and 1990’s combating the other virus - HIV. IN THIS TOGETHER

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Proudly Supporting Dublin Digital Pride 2020

Through our CARE WITH PRIDE® initiative, Johnson & Johnson® Family of Companies strive to openly champion love, equality and care for all people within the LGBTQ+ community.

Silence has always been equal to death and so now we have to be loud.

We cannot accept what is happening in Russia, in Hungary, in Poland, in Brazil and in many other places. We cannot accept what is happening in some spots in Ireland, like Direct Provision. It is time to remind ourselves that we are a strong political force, and to fight together to make the lives of every single individual better.

The 2020 Dublin Pride celebrations must be the loudest LGBTQ+ event we can imagine. Even though our voices have to be confined to our consciousness, to our individual sense of community, to our personal decisive will to defend human rights, we must challenge ourselves this time.

But has not this always been what Pride is about?

We are incredibly lucky in Ireland to be able to celebrate the great achievements of the Referendums of 2015 and 2018. We can be proud of our society that the vast majority said Yes to positive changes and implementation of human rights.

Yet, being proud of great achievements does not mean we can stop seeing existing injustices. It does not mean we can ignore those who are suffering, and most of all, it does not mean that we stop being critical of ourselves.

COVID-19 arrived precisely as a reminder of this. Without a welfare state most of us would have been left without a chance to pay the rent or even buy food (just as many people in many other countries have been left). The pandemic brought the questions of social justice and human rights to the top of our priorities. How can we claim to be in this together if some of us are forced to remain in homeless hubs and Direct Provision centres?

The actual crisis is indeed a public health one, but it is also humanitarian. In many different ways, the crisis is of our humanness. Have we been prepared to face how less human we have become? We have delegated our memory to Facebook and Instagram. We have delegated our conscience and social responsibility to Change.org.

My question is to whom shall we delegate our visibility now? Maybe to Zoom?

Our pride is now in our consciousness. Our solidarity is in our visibility. Our equality is our equity.

No, our visibility has to be expressed through our capacity of resilience, through our demand to the government to support those who need it. We have to stay committed to advocate on an international level against the abuse of human rights, against voluntarism of authoritarian regimes, against all forms of discrimination in every single cul-de-sac in Ireland and beyond. It is our chance to show the strength that has been cultivated in us through the centuries of oppression.

If anything, we can learn from this cruel virus that borders are just a myth, that no one is safe and that the only way to improve our life is by caring about each other.

Our Pride is now in our consciousness. Our solidarity is in our visibility. Our equality is our equity. This is what I learned from my LGBTQ+siblings in Russia, in Ireland, in Direct Provision, in community groups.

From all the Prides we have had from Stonewall until today, this one will be the most remarkable. It will be the most visible, the most personal, the most technological.

This also means it can be one of the most political.

Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride 2020 has a unique chance - to literally arrive in every village, every town, every city, bringing with it our rainbow of colours, our warmth, our songs, our solidarity and our strength!

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Northern Trust is a Proud Supporter of Happiness.

Northern Trust is proud to support the LGBT+ Community and Dublin Pride 2020.

For 130 years, we’ve been meeting our clients’ financial needs while nurturing a culture of caring and a commitment to invest in the communities we serve. Regardless of which community you call home.

northerntrust.com ASSET SERVICING | ASSET MANAGEMENT | WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Happy Pride 2020 www.demonware.net

From all at the NXF to all of you...

HAPPY PRIDE!

Theatre reflects change, community and solidarity: we record and we remember.

Happy Pride

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Happy Pride from the Mother Family

On Saturday June 27th Dublin Pride will join hundreds of Pride organisations and special guests around the world for a special 24 hour Global Pride celebration

www.globalpride2020.org

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Wishing you a Happy, Healthy & Safe Pride 2020

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Message from Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman Garda Community Engagement

It is more important than ever to work together, and while in these unprecedented times we must physically stand apart we stand with you virtually in our commitment to keeping all people safe. As a follow-up to last year’s article on Hate Crime and in line with our commitment to listen to and respond to the needs of all communities, I am pleased to reiterate An Garda Síochána’s commitment to the Diversity and Integration Strategy which reflects our strong commitment to protect and proactively engage with all minority and diverse groups in society.

Garda Diversity & Integration Strategy The Garda Diversity and Integration Strategy 2019-2021, launched in October 2019, contains a working definition of Hate Crime. While acknowledging the under-reporting of Hate Crime, this Strategy and definition demonstrates an openness and willingness on behalf of An Garda Síochána to receive reports of Hate Crime and to thoroughly investigate them.

An Garda Síochána Working Hate Crime Definition “Any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person to, in whole or in part, be motivated by hostility or prejudice, based on actual or perceived age, disability, race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender.”

For explanatory notes please visit our webpage (see link below)

The Garda Community Engagement Bureau wish every success to Virtual Pride 2020 and look forward to continued engagement in the future.

Garda National Diversity & Integration Unit Garda National Diversity & Integration Unit Garda Community Engagement & Public Safety Bureau Harcourt Square Dublin 2 D02 DH42

(01) 6663150 diversity@garda.ie www.garda.ie (for access to our webpage, Diversity & Integration Strategy, Garda Diversity Officers, Hate Crime Posters etc.)

For the fourth year in a row,

Citrix has been named a best place to work for LGBTQ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign.

Scan here to learn about our commitment to Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging.

THANK YOU FROM PRIDE!

WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER, SO LET’S BE IN IT TOGETHER. We never imagined so many people would answer that call and go to such extraordinary efforts to help Dublin Pride over these past few months, and we would like to thank every one of you who have helped us keep our flag flying.

We would like to thank Dublin City Council, our principle funder, who never sent us to voicemail when we called and have supported us throughout the year, and, of course, both this year’s Lord Mayors.

Thanks to the OPW and all the team at Dublin Castle who gave us the keys to the castle for our launch event and the GAA, the Dublin Team and David Gough for bringing the Sam Maguire Cup. Thanks must also go to the team at The Round Room at the Mansion House for handing over their venue for our Virtual Parade and Pride Concert. All our sponsors and partners who stuck with us this year. Marty, Mark and the team at Safe Events. Our wonderful volunteers, and all our frontline workers who have been making great sacrifices for us all this year.

And of course, we want to thank you, every one of you who stayed at home when asked, everyone who checked in on vulnerable neighbours, everyone who stood two meters apart when all you wanted to do was hug, everyone who washed their hands.

Thank you, and happy Pride!

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Be Yourself. Be Different.

Happy Pride from everyone at PwC Ireland #PwCProud

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Happy Pride from everyone at Tesco.

See you next year

Black Lives Matter Dublin LGBTQ Pride