Foyle Pride 2014 Programme

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Dear Friends It gives me great pleasure to write and say to all those involved in Derry’s Foyle Pride congratulations on reaching this your 21st anniversary. I have been involved in the gay movement for many years and am delighted to see how strong and vibrant a festival it has become. You have a proud tradition of which you should be justly proud. I have no doubt this year’s celebrations will be even better than previous years and I would like to wish you all the very best for its undoubted success.

Senator David Norris

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Strong and Vibrant Festival

Festival Funders & Sponsors

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Carnival Pictures Courtesy GC Photographics | Programme Design x info@missprintdesign.co.uk

Brenda Stevenson//Mayor “Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community” This extract from Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is something that I believe is a fundamental building block of an inclusive and culturally rich community.

Our community and the citizens of our City have lead by example in how to move on from our past and create a better future for us all. The City of Culture in 2013 changed mindsets and propositioned this City as a shared inclusive space for us all to live, learn and grow and let’s not forget to have some fun along the way.

In union with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community I am guided by the values of integrity, equality, respect, diversity and partnership. The LGBT community in our City has unfortunately too many experiences of discrimination and abuse on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

Many have suffered decades of exile from their home City because of the fear of not being accepted. I am proud to say that the LGBT community has grown strong from this experience. As a community the LGBT is supportive and active in defense of the human rights of all our citizens.

Many individuals are now engaging in the cultural life of our community as active makers and participants of culture life.

Foyle Pride is a celebration of inclusion and an expression of the vibrant cultural life of Derry~Londonderry.

If we stand together and walk together we can look after each other and defend the rights of all in our community who feel isolated and marginalised. I therefore ask all of the citizens of our beautiful City to show their pride and partnership with the LGBT community and walk with me in the Foyle Pride Parade on Saturday, 23 August 2014 starting from the Waterside Railway Station at 2 p.m.

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Tues 19th Aug

Launch of the Foyle LGBT Centre TUES 19th Aug Venue: Foyle LGBT Centre, Orlan House, 20 Strand Road, Derry Time: 3pm - 4pm.

The Rainbow Project will be launching the new Foyle LGBT Centre.

This Centre is designed to be used by members of the LGBT community from the North-West and we would encourage you to call in at any stage this week to visit the Centre, meet our members and staff and find out about the services we have on offer.

This is an invitation only event.

Outreach Clinic Wed 20 Aug Venue: Foyle LGBT Centre, Orlan House, 20 Strand Road, Derry Time: 5pm - 7.30pm th

Come along to Foyle LGBT Centre to access our free rapid HIV and syphilis testing service. Don’t leave it to chance – get tested.

This service is for men who have sex with men and trans* men and women.

This is a drop-in event.

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“A sensitive and gritty dialogue”

Wed 2Oth, Thurs 21st, Fri 22nd Aug

**** Belfast Telegraph

Pits and Perverts

by Micheál Kerrigan

Produced, directed and script development by Patricia Byrne Venue: The Playhouse, Artillery Street, Derry Time: 8pm Cost: £10 This critically acclaimed new play follows the story of Sean who leaves Northern Ireland at the height of the Troubles. After coming out as a gay man in 1980s London he becomes involved with the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners group. Two miners from South Wales come to stay with Sean and his partner not realising they are a gay couple. The events that unfold impacts on all their lives. This play toured Northern Ireland last year receiving standing ovations at every performance! It is based on real events in Thatcher’s Britain. It highlights the power of community.

Photo by Martin McKeown

Thurs 21st Aug Youth Art Exhibition launch THURS 21ST Aug Venue: Foyle LGBT Centre Orlan House, 20 Strand Road, Derry Time: 5.30pm - 7.00pm The Rainbow Project Foyle Youth Group will be hosting an exciting exhibition in collaboration with local artist Domnall Starkie showcasing their preparatory and completed artwork as part of the ‘Pride in Art’ project. The finished pieces will reflect their own individual journey and personality and will be proudly displayed at the Foyle Centre.

This is a drop-in event.

Foyle Pride and The Rainbow Project Talk Back THURs 21ST Aug Venue: Thatched Cottage Shipquay St, Derry Time: 7.30pm - 9.30pm Pride is, and will always be political. So why not come along and put your questions to a panel of politicians. This is your chance to grill them on what they and their parties are doing on behalf of our communities.

This venue has limited capacity so make sure you are there on time.

…But I Love You

by Sinéad Gillespie THURs 21ST Aug Venue: Derry Central Library, Foyle Street.

Time: 5pm - 7.30pm Sinéad Gillespie is bringing her debut novel back home and will be launching it with an informal talk, some readings and a Q & A session.

Refreshments available. All welcome. ...But I Love You is for anyone who has ever thought they were in love - 16 or 40, male or female, straight or gay - and didn’t realise someone else was in their way. Which is why they have to take this chance, grab this moment and say…But I love you…and pray that it will change things.

And it does.

A story of mixed messages, misread signs, and the subtle conditionality of love. ‘But I love you’ should be an endearing thing to hear, shouldn’t it? An affirmation, a betrothal, a statement of loyalty. But what if it’s something else - an imposition, a threat, a plea?

So meeting the woman of your dreams means taking on the competition and daring to win her: straight guys in night clubs; dodgy exes; smitten best mates; lesbian lovers. …But I love you There is always a BUT. Sinéad will be telling how her experience of bringing up a son with Asperger’s Syndrome has affected her view of the world as she interprets it for him and how this feeds the subtext of her work. www.SineadGillespie.com

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Fri 22nd Aug 2nd Annual Trans* Conference – A Second Life Fri 22nd Aug Venue: Tower Hotel 17-19 Butcher St, Derry Time: 10.30pm - 4.00pm Following on from the success of our half day conference last year, we will be hosting a full day conference with key note speakers from GIRES, one of the UK’s leading Trans* organisations.

Spaces are limited and this

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conference is aimed at professionals working in health, education and policy. Please book by contacting the Foyle LGBT Centre.

This is a registration only event.

Fri 22nd Aug Coming out of Conflict Fri 22nd Aug Venue: Void, Patrick Street Time: 7.30 – 9pm In this discussion we look at the reality of life for members of the LGBT community in post conflict Northern Ireland and compare and contrast with similar communities in other parts of the wider world. The debate will be chaired by the recently elected Belfast councillor Gerry Carroll and speakers include Davis Mac Iyalla, a Nigerian gay rights campaigner now based in London, Dublin activist Ailbhe Smyth, Ruth McCarthy from Outburst Queer Arts Festival and Fidelma Carolan, Regional Officer with UNISON. Davis will describe in some detail the current situation facing the LGBT community in his home country drawing on

personal and often harrowing experience.

Ailbhe will offer a southern perspective reflecting the rapid progression in queer politics on that side of the border while Ruth will add an artistic and cultural slant to the debate showing how these disciplines have been used to address prejudice in its many forms, Fidelma has been an active advocate for lesbian, gay, bi and trans rights over many years and is co-author of the ´Shout - The Needs of Young LGBT People in Northern Ireland.

The discussion will be followed by a Q&A session so the audience can have their say.

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Sat 23rd Aug Healthy Proud Breakfast Venue: Foyle LGBT Centre, Orlan House, 20 Strand Road,Derry Time: 11.30am - 1.00pm

Sun 24th Aug

So the day of the parade has arrived. Why not come along and get a full and healthy lunch in advance of the day and find out more about the services provided by the Foyle LGBT Centre.

This venue has limited capacity so make sure you are there on time.

The Turning

For further information about any of our events during the Foyle Pride Festival, please contact the Foyle LGBT Centre on T: 02871 283030 or Email: foyleadmin@rainbow-project.org

The Turning – A “great punky mod rocking band” from West London featuring Luke McLaughlin (Vocals/ Rhythm Guitar), David Bardon (Lead Guitar), Louis Gilbert (Bass), Ruben Kenton-Harris (Drums).

Venue: Sandinos Back Room Time: 8.00pm Pay at the door event / Early arrival recommended

“The Turning hold a badge of identity with their sharp wardrobe and even sharper tunes. This sits comfortably with the development of their distinct hybrid sound, punk urgency and passionate delivery. They are a group of friends who have combined their musical ability and dedicated spirit, to become the best new band on the scene.”

Formed in March 2013, and playing their first gig in April 2013 (which was sold out), The Turning have set a breakneck pace from which they have delivered vibrant energy and determination, ever since.

Sat 23rd Aug Gay Disco Venue: Sandinos Time: 9.00pm 8

The Turning have played selective gigs across the UK, Ireland and Europe – most notably, supporting their good friends The Strypes during their UK tour this spring and homecoming show in Cavan, Ireland, late last year.

During the past year, The Turning have written, recorded and released an extremely well received debut EP that has gained them a loyal fan base not only in the UK & Ireland, but also stretching to Japan.

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Sun 24th Aug

GAY PRIDE FINALE Outburst Arts, in association with Film Hub NI and CCA, are proud to present

Hairspray & The Rumble Club Venue: The Glassworks, Great James Street, Derry Time: 8pm Cost: £5/£7 A special queer-flavoured retro extravaganza for Foyle Pride 2014. We kick off with a screening of John Waters’ camp, fatsploitation cult-classic, Hairspray (1988). Featuring performances from Divine, Ricki Lake, Debbie Harry and Sonny Bono, Hairspray follows the story of teenager Tracy Turnblad who achieves her dream of becoming a regular on the Corny Collins Dance Show. Now a teen hero, she starts using her fame to speak out for the causes she believes in, most of all integration. In doing so, she earns the wrath of the show’s former star, Amber Von Tussle, as well as Amber’s manipulative, pro-segregation parents. The rivalry comes to a head as Amber and Tracy vie for the title of Miss Auto Show 1963.

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Dress up in your best retro threads and our crack team of hairdressers will be on hand during the film to tease and coif your locks as you watch, for maximum fabulousness on the Rumble Club dance-floor.

And once you’ve had your wigs adjusted and are suitably juiced up and ready to dance, resident Rumble Club DJ’s Beatnik Dan and Hot Rod Todd are gonna get your bones rattling and knock the polish off your shoes, throwing down some hot circles, wild waxings and only the platters that matter on the wheels of steel. Also, back by popular demand for a tantalising skin show, Méchant Noire and Miss Fifi Fatale. These 2 lovelies are 4 alarm firecrackers and got curves that make 3-D look flat! Get the picture? No? Then check out the big screen for the outrageous queer-cinema visuals, created especially for this Pride Rumble.

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1 in 2 gay, lesbian and bisexual people feel that they are being treated badly in Northern Ireland but over 80% don’t report it!

Contact the Equality Commission for free, confidential advice on 02890 500 600 www.some-ni.co.uk

facebook.com/SoMeEquality

@So_MeNI

some@equalityni.org

website for See our main quality on all your e information elp ow we can h rights and h ni.org www.equality

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