Liberate
Channel Island equality charity Liberate is to host the Channel Islands’ first official Pride parade on Saturday 12 September 2015 in St Helier, Jersey.
Following the rally organised by Reform Jersey last year that saw LGBTQ islanders and their friends turn out to lobby for equal marriage, Liberate were asked by members of the LGBTQ community to build on the spirit and success of that day and to organise Jersey’s very own Pride.
Vice Chairman for Liberate, Christian May, said: “Pride is a global phenomenon. Almost every country where LGBTQ people are free to live without fear of persecution has a Pride event. It allows the community and their friends and family to come together, firstly, to show how proud they are to be part of a diverse society and, secondly, to celebrate being free to make that statement. Pride transcends politics. It’s a celebration of inclusion.
“Jersey has taken some bold steps recently, and will continue to do so, to ensure equality for all its citizens, regardless of their race, gender or sexuality. The Island should be proud of what it has achieved and Pride is one, very visible way, to demonstrate that.”
The parade will start at West’s Centre at 12.45pm and will travel through St Helier to Weighbridge Square for 1.30pm where there will be a speech by Liberate’s special guest.
From 2.00pm, there will be live music and family friendly entertainment in Weighbridge Square and adjoining businesses, including the Jersey premiere of a recently-released independent movie and live cabaret entertainment later in the evening.
Mr May hopes that everyone will feel welcome to join in with the day’s events: “Pride is organised by the LGBTQ community but it is not exclusively for that community. It is a party everyone is welcome to attend. If you haven’t been to a Pride before, it is a colourful, fun and friendly day out for all ages that celebrates diversity, symbolised by the rainbow flag.”
Members of the public who would like to attend Pride are advised to monitor Liberate’s website, www.liberate.je, for further announcements and more details of the day.
Liberate would like to hear from any organisations that would like to take part in the parade or in the events in Weighbridge Square and can be contacted by email: hello@liberate.je
BBC Radio Jersey (timecode: 1:11:40)
