Connect with us
Limerick LGBTI Pride Festival 2016 press Limerick LGBTI Pride Festival 2016 press

Awareness

PHOTOS – Limerick LGBTI Pride Festival 2016 press launch

Published

on

Limerick LGBTI Pride Festival 2016 press launch – Pictured above Lisa Daly, Chairperson Limerick LGBTI Pride 2016, Gerald Mitchell, Deputy Mayor of Limerick, Elsie Cox, Strokers Gay Bar, Richard Lynch, PRO Limerick LGBTI Pride 2016 and actor Myles Breen pictured at the press launch for Limerick LGBTI Pride Festival 2016 at the George Boutique Hotel. Picture: Johnny Baynes/ilovelimerick. 

The countdown to Limerick Pride 2016 officially began with the Limerick LGBTI Pride Festival 2016 press launch at the George Boutique Hotel in Limerick City, on Tuesday, June 7.

At the Limerick LGBTI Pride Festival 2016 press launch, Lisa Daly, Chairperson Limerick LGBTI Pride 2016 said, “We are thrilled to be able to offer a fantastic line up for Limerick LGBTI Pride Festival 2016, running from Monday, July 11 until Sunday, July 17 with the Parade on Saturday, July 16. There is something for everyone culminating in the annual Pride Parade on Saturday, July 16 and the PrideFest party directly after the Parade at the Hunt Museum. We want to welcome everyone to join us in celebrating LGBTI culture in Limerick and show Limerick for the truly open and accepting city that she is. It is set to build on the success and positive energy of previous years festivals, promoting community spirit, community engagement and celebration. In the past year the Irish LGBTI community has received resounding support from the wider Irish community in their support of equal rights and marriage equality so this will be reflected in this year’s Pride Parade. We will celebrate our freedom and the opportunity we have been given as a community to develop the concept of the family unit within our community.”

Richard Lynch, PRO LGBTI Pride Festival 2016 went on to say that, “People have been asking now that Marriage Equality has been passed in Ireland, why is there a need for a Pride Festival? There will always be a need as long as others in the global LGBTI community are not as fortunate as us in terms of equal rights. We must fight for our brothers and sisters throughout the world and take a stand for human rights for all. That’s why our theme this year is #UnitedColoursofLimerick. We want Pride to be an inclusive, open and integrated event welcoming all people regardless of their sexual or gender orientation, religion or race. This year we aim to put the T back into LGBTI, with a focus specifically on advancing the rights and equality of trans people and their families.”


advertisement




advertisement




advertisement




advertisement




advertisement



The Grand Marshall of this year’s Pride Festival is none other than the inspirational Broden Giambrone, CEO of Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI). Broden has been involved in community organising, research and capacity building in trans communities for over fourteen years. In his current role, Broden leads TENI’s advocacy and public awareness campaigns. He is also an experienced public speaker and has delivered presentations across Europe and Canada. Broden said, “The passage of the Marriage Equality Referendum was an incredible moment. But our community still faces homophobic and transphobic bullying in our schools, discrimination in the workplace and violence on the streets. We need to do more. Trans, bi and intersex people remain invisible and we must not leave anyone behind. This year’s theme #UnitedColoursofLimerick is about inclusion and diversity. It’s about working together to ensure we can all enjoy equality.”

The Limerick Pride LGBTI Festival 2016 will be taking place starting on Monday, July 11, until Sunday, July 17, with the Parade on Saturday July 16 and will feature a multitude of events from workshops, support meetings and discussions to evenings of music and club nights, to cater to the Pride needs of everyone.

Limerick LGBTI Pride events co-ordinator Louise McCormack said, “We want to make this year’s festival a celebration for everyone in Limerick. For that reason, almost all of the events have no charge and are open to every person who wants to attend. Last year the minority were supported by the majority in the Marriage Equality Referendum, telling us that they accept us in every way. This July, I personally want to join with them and celebrate this progressive change in our society, and I can’t think of a better place to do that than Limerick Pride.”

This year’s Pride will have an educational aspect. Support meetings will be held during the week for youth, adult and trans groups. There will also be free drop in HIV testing at GOSHH, 18 Davis Street on Wednesday and Thursday of Pride week.

The Mr and Ms Gay Limerick competition on Saturday July 2 will be held before the Limerick Pride festival at the Best Western Pery Hotel at 9pm, hosted by Paul Ryder with DJ Gary G taking to the decks at Club Milk once the winners have been crowned to entertain us with the best party music around. Tickets are priced at €10.

Limerick Pride’s official Launch night on Monday, July 11 will be in Stroker’s Gay Bar on William Street at 9pm with champagne, finger food and dance floor musical treats. Strokers are opening 7 nights during Pride to offer something different on every night of Pride.

On Tuesday, July 12 from 1pm to 4pm, Stroker’s Gay Bar is hosting a Trans Workshop. Whether you’re interested in learning to put on makeup, pick out high heels or how to create a realistic beard, this will be a very special event for you. Experts will be there to show you the skills you need to present in your gender. Contact Stroker’s Gay Bar to sign up for a place in this workshop.

On Wednesday, July 13, the Pride Wedding Show, a wedding fair established in 2014 as part of Limerick Pride Festival, will take place from 6pm to 8pm, venue TBD. Sharon McMeel an award winning wedding planner, said about the fair: “We’ll have different suppliers and vendors there, so all couples regardless of their sexual orientation will have a good opportunity to get answers to their important questions if they are considering getting married. With the historic ‘Yes’ vote last year for the marriage referendum, it’s great to be able to look out for all the people who have gotten newly engaged.” Free entry to the event and anyone looking to book a stand can email Sharon at [email protected].

Wednesday after the LGBTI Pride Festival 2016 Wedding Show, Cobblestone Joes is home to the Limerick Pride Open Mic night. The inclusive atmosphere of one of Limericks top music venues is the perfect fit for the #UnitedColoursofLimerick theme with all singers and musicians welcome for this fantastic music celebration. No cover charge.

On Thursday, July 14, Mezz Ladies Night at the Red Hen sees the comeback of the hottest night for girls who like girls with a prosecco reception, DJ and late bar with free admission.

On Friday, July 15 the now traditional event ‘T’was the night before Pride’ will take place at Mickey Martins from 9pm-11.30pm. Running since 2008, Mickey Martins return for another year to host the pre-pride party with guest DJ’s and camp classics. Afterwards, it’s off to Club Milk’s 3rd Birthday Bash with DJ Gary G.

The annual Limerick LGBTI Pride Parade on Saturday, July 16, will bring some extra colour and music to Limerick City Centre, gathering at City Hall at 1.30pm, the Parade will make its way at 2.30pm sharp up O’Connell Street, across Mallow Street to Henry Street, past Arthurs Quay Park and returning to City Hall. There will be a rainbow balloon release once the parade passes Debenhams on O Connell Street. We strongly recommend rainbow colours as our theme is #UnitedColoursofLimerick this year.

Then everyone will go to the Hunt Museum for PrideFest 2016, a showcase of LGBTI Culture in Limerick that you will not want to miss with your host Paul Ryder taking place in a lavish marquee in the garden of the museum! Limerick legend, actor, director and playwright, Myles Breen will be holding his annual tea dance which for many is a highlight of the Festival.

That night after Pridefest, the main Climax Party at Dolan’s Warehouse, will feature Queens of Limerick, Madonna Lucia and Sheila Fitzpatrick taking to the stage with local acts and with the Dublin queens of “Dragged Up” including Gala award entertainer of the year Victoria Secret, Paul Ryder, Regina George and Pixie, followed by DJ Ruth on the main floor, a “Saved by the 90s” party upstairs and Madonna Lucia hosting her monthly party at Confessions. Three rooms packed with colour, vibrancy and music for all.

On Sunday, June 17, a Prideful Recovery Event will be held at GOSHH, 18 Davis Street from 1pm – 5pm. Call GOSHH at 061 314354 or email [email protected] for more information.

Tag your photos and comments about this year’s Pride with #UnitedColoursofLimerick.

A full line-up for LGBTI Pride Festival 2016 can be found here or on Facebook here 

Find out more about Limerick Pride past events here

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.