Feeling certain that Channel Islands Pride 2022 was going to be the year when, after two disrupted years, it would go ahead as planned, we could not have been more wrong!

Guernsey went first in 2022 with CI Pride on 3 September. The weather gods smiled and there was no rain, the parade went without a hitch attracting more people than ever, and Market Square was filled with a happy LGBTQ+ community and allies enjoying a great line up of local and European talent.

https://www.facebook.com/channelislandspride/videos/5607708615917855/

The first hurdle Jersey encountered was a new parade route and new venue. The new arrangements were due to our previous location of Jardins de la Mer being unavailable because of the development of the waterfront. The new larger People’s Park meant a much bigger village had to be planned.

A bigger village needed more marquees, and that was our second problem. With a backlog of wedding bookings now going ahead in 2022, marquees were in short supply. Thankfully Jersey Organic Yurts were able to step in to supply their beautiful tents, which added a unique look to the village.

The event was scheduled for 10 September and the Pride Committee worked hard to make the Parade route safe and inclusive for everyone, and get the Park ready with plans for a stage, acts, food and drink vendors, community stalls and family fun – all the things that make CI Pride what it is.

It was whilst we were getting the Pride village built on the Thursday afternoon ahead of the Saturday that we received advance warning that the news was going to break that H M The Queen had died. We knew, at that moment, that whatever we decided we would not be able to please everyone – there would be people who wanted us to cancel altogether, people who wanted us to carry on with the plans unchanged, and people who wanted us to adjust for the circumstances – but do something to mark Pride in Jersey.

We spent Thursday night contacting as many people as we could to gather opinion on the best course of action. In the end, the consensus was to reach a compromise and try to hold all the differing opinions in the same space.

“Following careful consideration and advice from the Bailiff’s Chambers, the #CIPride22 Parade from Royal Square will not take place tomorrow afternoon. The Pride Village will now open at 2.30pm and the afternoon’s events will begin with a minute’s silence at 3pm, followed by reflections on the life of Her Majesty by faith leaders and our speakers, including Lord Cashman CBE. We hope Islanders will use the afternoon to celebrate Her Majesty’s life, and the positive progress for LGBTQ+ rights during her reign.”

CI Pride 2022 in Jersey opened in somber mood with a minute’s silence and reflections on the progress of LGBTQ+ rights during The Queen’s reign from CI Pride Director Christian May, Lord Cashman CBE and Ian Green CEO of Terrence Higgins Trust. Kerry Langlois sang a moving rendition of Amazing Grace and a moment of private contemplation was led by Methodist Minister Dawn Saunders. The commemoration was concluded with a powerful version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Dr Adam Perchard.

The rest of the afternoon went according to schedule with Adam hosting the stage and DJ Hannah Jacques providing music in between acts. The running order was:

CI Pride 2022 in Jersey was a time of celebration but also reflection. We want to thank everyone who attended for their positivity and support for the changes we made following the death of Her Majesty. We also want to express a huge thanks to all the acts, suppliers, vendors, caterers, charities and everyone who made the day such a success. Our special thanks to our stage directors Daniel Austin and Hettie Duncan, host Dr Adam Perchard and to our headliners Woody Cook and Queenz.

Thank you to the people and organisations who create the village and support Pride – Jason and the JDC team, Rob and the Stage 2 team and the G4S team. Our special thanks go to Katie at Mantra Brand House for all her hard work on the artwork, marketing and design of CI Pride 2022.

Thank you to our sponsors. They ensure that Pride remains free for anyone to attend, which is essential to making Pride one of the most inclusive events in the islands. 2022 was particularly challenging, but our sponsors adapted as plans changed. Thank you to our gold sponsors Mourant and JE. Thank you to the Channel Islands Co-Operative Society, our founding sponsor. Thank you to Ogier, HSBC, RBC, IQ EQ, Walkers and Carey Olsen for sponsoring the zones. Thank you to Equiom and Corbett Le Quesne for their support and sponsorship. And thank you to Government of Jersey for their support this year.

Finally, thank you especially to our Pride committee led by Christian May. It was not the Pride that they planned, but our team of volunteers took the changes in their stride to deliver a different Pride. Thank you to Nigel, Carla, Jane, Angela, Jo, Josh, Paddy, Hannah, Grace and Marta.

UPDATE: We asked and you responded! Thank you to everyone who provided feedback to our survey. Please see our CI Pride 2022 Review here for the results.