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Gay Pride Dublin – Dublin, Ireland

Dublin Pride Festival has three core values that it aims to promote:

• Celebrating Diversity
• Inclusiveness
• Increased Visibility & Mutual Respect

Dublin Pride 2014

The Dublin LGBT Pride Festival is an annual series of events which celebrates lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) life in Dublin, Ireland. It is the largest LGBTQ pride festival in the Republic of Ireland. The festival culminates in a pride parade which is held in June. The event has grown from a one-day event in 1983 to a ten-day festival celebrating LGBT culture in Ireland with an expanded arts, social and cultural content.

The organisation, including the board of directors, is run by volunteers with some paid consultant help. The stated aim of Dublin Pride is to produce a professional pride festival and an annual Pride Day; comprising the parade through Dublin city center, a politically based rally and free entertainment all working for the improvement of LGBT communities.
1983 parade

In March, 1983, prior to the first pride parade, a march was held from the city centre of Dublin to Fairview Park in the suburb of Fairview, Dublin, protesting the levels of violence against gay men and women in Ireland. In particular, the march was a reaction to the controversial judgement in the Flynn case, when suspended sentences on charges of manslaughter were given to members of a gang found guilty of the 1982 killing of Declan Flynn, a 31-year old gay man, in Fairview Park, and the subsequent celebrations by some members of the local community following their release.

The first pride parade was held in June, 1983. The parade was organized by the National Lesbian and Gay Federation, and followed a route through the city centre of Dublin, from St Stephen’s Green to the GPO on O’Connell Street.

Pride themes and parade Grand marshalls

2008: “Always the bridesmaid, never the bride”

Grand Marshall – Tonie Walsh

Using the slogan “Always the bridesmaid, never the bride”, the 2008 theme highlighted the lack of legal recognition under Irish law of any partnership rights for same-sex couples. The festival was launched by then Irish Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley, TD. Gormley recognised that the proposed partnership legislation was “not the full equality we are seeking, but it is a step towards full equality,” and “of real practical value in itself and will make a real difference to the daily lives of many people in committed relationships”. Performers at the post-rally gathering included Brian Kennedy, Maria McKee and Tara Blaise.

2009: “Pride and Prejudice?”

The 2009 festival was held June 19–28. The theme for 2009 was “Pride and Prejudice?” which celebrated pride in the LGBT communities while questioning the community and society in general on attitudes and prejudices. The festival aimed to celebrate diversity and challenge peoples’ perceptions of it. This year introduced Dublin Pride’s new Arts and Cultural committee to the festival. Turnout figures were estimated at a record 12,500. Performers at the traditional post-parade show at the Civic Offices, hosted by Panti, included, among others, Black Daisy (Ireland’s Eurovision Song Contest 2009 entrant), Michele Ann Kelly, Laura Steele, the Kylie Experience, and Katherine Lynch.

2010: “We Are Family Too”

More than 22,000 people marched through Dublin on 26 June 2010. Doctor Lydia Foy was grand marshal. Performers at the Part in the Park at the Civic Offices included DJ Jules in a Lady GaGa tribute act and Niamh Kavanagh, winner of Eurovision Song Contest 1993 who represented Ireland in the Contest again this year. Over 100,000 people participated in the 2010 ten-day Pride festival.

2011: “It’s a Human Thing”

With a Garda estimate at over 22,000, more people marched through Dublin on 25th June 2011 than ever before. Michael Barron of BelongTo Youth services was Grand Marshall. Performers at the event in the Civic Offices included Crystal Swing and Niamh Kavanagh, winner of Eurovision Song Contest 1993 returning to perform for a 2nd year in a row. This year seen the introduction of a new event, a Dog Show which was produced as part of the family fun day.

2012: “Show your True Colours”

The 2012 festival ran from 22nd June until 1st July 2012 with the Parade running on Saturday 30th June. In 2012 the festival moved from Dublin City Council’s Civic Offices on Wood Quay to Merrion Square using 3 of the 4 roads around the park and family areas available to use inside the park. It also involved the parade route moving from it traditional route along Dame Street to further south in the city, along Baggot Street to the final destination Event at Merrion Square. This new venue had the capacity for up to 15,000 people and space for vendors to sell food and beverages to the public, an area known as “Pride Village”.

2013: “Live, love and be proud!”

The 2013 festival was our 30th anniversary and was the biggest ever with over 35,000 people marching in the festival! The pride village was another rousing success with the sun coming out to celebrate with us!

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