Liberate
DIFERA Award Winners 2023
RBC Junior Hero(es)
AWARD: Les Landes School Year 4
Jack Stevens and Isaac Tarrant
JCG Student Group on Ending VAWG
Joint Working Group (JCG and VCJ)
Company
AWARD: ITV Channel
States of Jersey Police
Jersey Electricity
Government Initiative
AWARD: Mental Health Co-Production Network
States of Jersey LGBTQ+ Employee Network
Embrace Our Difference
Jersey International Cultural Centre
Education Inclusion Charter
Butterfield Charity
AWARD: Citizens Advice Jersey
AllMatters Neurodiverse Jersey
Art in the Frame Foundation
EYECAN
Jersey Youth Performing Arts
Community Group
AWARD: Anagen Hair
AllMatters Neurodiverse Jersey
Disabled Residents at Jersey Cheshire Home
Focus UP
Sparky Parkies Choir
Walkers Global Ally
AWARD: Advocate Barbara Corbett
Mo Jevtic
Carolyn Rose Ramsey
Anthea Carroll
Stuart Barette
Standard Bank Leader
AWARD: Kate Wright
Deputy Louise Doublet
Melaine Paine
Dave Crossland
Claire Mulcahy
BCR Law Inspirational Person
AWARD: Nicholas Ozouf
Dawn Burrows
Jenny Stafford
Katie Bastiman
James Montgomery
Liberate Special Award
Jersey College for Girls and Victoria College for their work to reduce the incidents of violence against women and girls
Liberate Lifetime Achievement Award
Dean Lowe
Thank you to all the nominees, everyone who nominated, our sponsors, the management and staff of the Jersey Arts Centre, BSK and Café JAC, Ballet d’Jerri, Nicky Kill (Pinhole Photography), the cast of ‘Sister Act’, Angela Goddard for her BSL interpretation, team Liberate – Kaye, Jo and Paddy, our judges – Alice Nunn, James Thompson and Suzie Pattinson.
Nominations open for DIFERA Awards 2023
Nominations are now open for the DIFERA (diversity, inclusion, fairness, equality, respect and acceptance) Awards 2023.
Liberate is looking for the people and organisations in Jersey who have made a difference to community groups and/or their issues in 2023. It could be by raising awareness, providing support, campaigning for change, leading by example, educating others, or advancing DIFERA values through their efforts. Is this you? Is it someone you know? Is it someone who works with you? Is it someone who you work for?
Nominations from the public are for eight categories – Inspirational Person of the Year, Leader of the Year, Ally of the Year, Junior Hero of the Year, Community Group of the Year, Government Initiative of the Year, Charity of the Year and Company of the Year. There are also two special DIFERA Awards that recognise something or someone not included in the other categories, and the Lifetime Achievement Award, which are both decided by Liberate.
Vic Tanner Davy, CEO of Liberate, said: ‘Not having presented the awards for a few years for various reasons, we are really looking forward to hearing about the amazing work people and organisations are doing in this sphere. We think we will be surprised by the way it has progressed since the last time we held, what was then, the C I Equality and Diversity Awards.
‘Whenever we’ve hosted the Awards, it has always been a great evening as people from different walks of life in the Island get to meet. It is not like a corporate or sports awards where everyone is from the same industry, this brings together very different people, and there is something rather unique and special when you see the variety of people who end up taking to the dance floor together at the end of the evening! It encapsulates what DIFERA is all about.’
The awards ceremony will take place on Friday 2 February 2024 at the Jersey Arts Centre.
Nominations will close on Sunday 14 January 2024.
More details and how to nominate can be found here – https://liberate.je/awards/
Pride 2023
Channel Islands Pride 2023 was finally the year when, after three disrupted years, it all went to plan! Four days of Pride activities started on Thursday with a Drag Make-up Workshop tutored by Flesh and Paige Three, two of our guest queens, followed by a Sunset Dance Party. A great start to what was to be a fabulous weekend.
Friday night was a fundraiser for Liberate that brought top UK tribute acts to People’s Park for the Pride Idols Concert. The evening started with some of our talented local artistes getting the crowd going, then it was the turn of Celine Dion and Freddie Mercury to give the audience a taste of their Pride Idols. Finally, Lady Gaga and Elton John took to the stage to round off a stellar evening with top stars.
If that was not enough on Friday, the public had the choice of Gone Crusin’ on the Pre-Pride Boat Party or taking part in Drag Bingo featuring our guest drag artistes.
Saturday was Pride all the way! The forecast was mixed, but as long as we got the 50m flag out and in before the showers nothing else mattered! The parade gathered in Royal Square at midday and walked the new route down King Street, and into York Street, where the flag was rolled out. Paradegoers carried it from the Town Hall to the top of Parade Gardens. From there, the 7 minute long parade turned into Kensington Place, Kensington Street and into People’s Park by the Shipwright Inn. Music was provided by the Jersey Scout Band, whose youngest members did brilliantly in carrying some heavy instruments all that way, and by 3rd Above’s golf buggy rigged with speakers – we have almost solved the problem of music throughout the length of the parade after 8 years!
Although the flag stayed dry out Pridegoers were in for a soaking twice – as the parade arrived in the park and in the middle of the afternoon. This did nothing to dampen spirits and once the showers stopped people came out from under whichever stall, marquee or tent they found shelter in. And there were a lot to choose from this year!
The village grew this year to encompass Victoria Park and People’s Park with new zones. In 2023 the following zones catered to our guests – the Family Zone with huge inflatables that kept the youngest happy; the Community Zone that was busy all afternoon with charities sharing their support work with a new audience; the Art and Exhibition Zone with RampArts creating work through the afternoon, our Pride ‘Free To Be’ photos by Nicky Kill, and a history of LGBTQ+ lives in the Channel Islands; the Pet Station where our faithful companions could get treats and a drink; the Quiet and Accessibility Zone for those who needed a break from the noise and bustle; the Wellbeing Zone with health information and demos by Zumba and Yoga practitioners; the Youth Zone hosted by the Jersey Youth Service with special guests from ‘I Can, I Am and I Will’; and, the always popular Silent Disco.
The village also encompassed fairground rides for the thrillseekers, a selection of food and drink outlets, and greater accessibility support including volunteers positioned throughout the site to offer assistance.
The CI Pride main stage was hosted by Dr Adam Perchard with DJ Hannah Jacques providing music in between acts. The keynote speaker this year was comedian and activist Twayna Maine. Our headliners were the incredily popular boys from 5IVE, Iranian LGBTQ+ DJ Ellie Prohan, and our UK Drag Superstars. And, for the first time, we had a second cabaret stage in Victoria Park for a smaller more intimate performances. Both stages were programmed expertly by the Jersey Arts Centre with the cabaret stage ‘standing room only’ for large parts of the afternoon.
As if all that was not enough to organise, the CI Pride committee topped the day off with an after-party featuring Una Healey from the Saturdays and DJ Woody Cook at the Royal Yacht.
For those whose Pride appetite was not completely satisfied on Sunday the weekend closed with a FOMO Drag Brunch featuring our guest and local drag queens at the Pomme d’Or, and a Sundowner Boat Party on The Jersey Duchess.
CI Pride 2023 in Jersey was the year we ‘went large’, organising it was exhilarating, exciting, exhausting and a little bit mad! We want to thank everyone who attended for their love and support for the Island’s LGBTQ+ community and other minority groups. The 10,000 people who attended over the course of the weekend demonstrated to anyone looking on that Jersey embraces its diversity. 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, to Scott Livingstone and 3rd Above, to Ben Martin and Flair Entertainment, and to our headliners Ellie Prohan and 5IVE.
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 security teams. Our special thanks go to Katie at Mantra Brand House for all her hard work on the artwork, marketing and design of CI Pride 2023.
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. Thank you to JE our headline sponsor, and to Mourant, Apex and HSBC our platinum sponsors. Thank you to the Channel Islands Co-Operative Society, our founding sponsor. Thank you to Ogier, RBC, PwC, NatWest, Standard Bank and Lloyds Bank for sponsoring the zones. Thank you to Walkers, EY, TMF, EFG, JTC and Saltgate for their support and sponsorship. And a special thank you to Government of Jersey for their support this year.
Finally, thank you especially to our Pride committee led by Christian May. Thank you to Nigel, Paddy, Natalie, Angela, Jo, Josh, Marta, Max, Chris, Louise, Jo, Russell and James. We did it!
UPDATE: We asked and you responded! Thank you to everyone who provided feedback to our survey. We will work hard over the next two years to make your Pride even better. See you all in 2025.
Pride 2022
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:
15.00 Welcome
15.30 Sister Disco and Little Black Dress
16.45 Rich Allo
17.45 Brickhouse
19.00 Shea
20.00 Woody Cook
21.00 Queenz
22.00 Ends
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.
Don’t Let Monkeypox Spoil Your Fun
A reminder from Jersey’s Sexual Health team ahead of Channel Islands Pride – don’t let monkeypox spoil your fun. Stay safe at Channel Islands Pride and when travelling abroad.
Monkeypox symptoms can be treated, it is usually mild, and most people recover in two to four weeks. Early symptoms include high temperature, headache, muscle ache, backache, swollen glands, shivering (chills) and exhaustion. A rash usually appears after 1 to 5 days.
Anyone can contract monkeypox, however, most cases in the UK are currently found in men, this means that men who have sex with men are at a greater risk of contracting the virus. Although it is not described as a sexually transmitted infection, it’s important that gay and bisexual men are especially alert as it’s believed to be spreading in sexual networks.
Protect others
- If you have any symptoms of monkeypox, are isolating, or have been diagnosed do not attend public events.
Practice good hygiene
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds using soap, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze. Put used tissues in the bin straight away, washing your hands afterwards.
Practice safe sex
- Ask new partners about their sexual health
- Avoid sharing sex toys and keep them clean.
- Condoms are recommended, but don’t offer full protection against monkeypox during sexual contact.
Be safe in your surroundings
- Contact with clothing, bedding or towels used by an infected person can spread monkeypox.
- Close physical contact can also cause infection.
If you think you have monkeypox or have been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox symptoms, contact your GP or call the GUM (sexual health) clinic on 01534 442856. Avoid close personal or sexual contact with others until you have had a clinical assessment. Phone the clinic ahead of your visit and avoid close contact with others until you have been seen by a clinician. Your call or discussion will be treated sensitively and confidentially.
Liberate’s Pride-week ‘Power and Equality’ conference with keynote speaker Lord Cashman
As part of CI Pride week Liberate’s newest patron, The Right Honourable Lord Cashman of Limehouse CBE will be the keynote speaker at Liberate’s ‘Power and Equality’ Conference held in Jersey on Friday 9 September.
Vic Tanner Davy, Liberate’s CEO, said: “We are delighted that we can announce Michael’s patronage of Liberate with an invitation to deliver the keynote speech at our Pride week conference. We approached Michael earlier this year to become a patron of the charity, when he was in the Island for Holocaust Memorial Day, and we were delighted when he agreed. Michael’s life-long activism on behalf of human rights, but LGBTQ+ rights in particular, makes him a perfect fit for Liberate and reflects our charitable mission and values.”
The Power and Equality Conference, a day of talks, debates and discussions, is kindly sponsored by BCR Law and Jersey Community Relations Trust. The aim of the conference is to bring people together to discuss the big issues affecting the Island, which often disproportionately affect people from minority communities, and to hear from a diverse collection of voices. All States members have been invited to participate in the day along with individuals with lived experience of being from a minority group in Jersey, business leaders, ED&I champions, Government employees and charities.
In an age where social and traditional medias are setting up and then encouraging and enabling divisive arguments Michael’s keynote speech will tackle the urgent need to remove toxicity from public discourse, our personal responsibility to behave with empathy in public life, and the importance of this attitude to building healthy, inclusive democracies.
Vic said: “We are excited to hear Michael’s speech. As the Labour spokesman on human rights in the European Parliament between 1999 and 2014, and now a life peer, he is used to debating difficult, controversial and often deeply personal issues. A lifelong campaigner for LGBTQ+ rights, Michael believes firmly that working together, cross party and in coalition is the most effective way to make change for those groups that lack essential rights. As an actor, he understands the power of words to win hearts and minds, making persuasive speeches to swing votes in the various democratic institutions in which he has worked.”
Lord Cashman said: “I am looking forward to returning to Jersey, seeing more of the Island and meeting the newly elected States members, Islanders from minority groups, charity representatives and other delegates. Being Liberate’s patron I want to learn more about the Island and the issues it faces currently, so I can support the charity in its work. The conference is the perfect opportunity for me to find out more.”
For more information about the conference and tickets, click here.
CI Pride Jersey date and headliners announced
CI Pride will be held in Jersey on Saturday 10 September with parade that will draw inspiration from the first UK Pride march in 1972 that protested against the discrimination experienced by LGBTQ+ people.
Christian May, CI Pride Director in Jersey, said: “We are marking the 50th anniversary of Pride in the UK by acknowledging the work of the people who bravely came out onto the street to campaign for change through a Seventies themed Pride this year. The gay rights movement came from the movements of the 1960s that demanded women’s rights and civil rights. The rights of all minority groups have improved since the early days, but there is still work to be done towards full equality. In the celebratory atmosphere of Pride it can be overlooked that Pride is still a protest – a reminder that things are not equal for everyone.”
Guernsey will hold CI Pride on Saturday 3 September and then pass the baton to Jersey on Saturday 10 September. Jersey’s parade will start at Royal Square and end at the Pride village in People’s Park where there will be stalls and wellbeing, family and community zones. The main stage will be headlined by ITV’s ‘Walk the Line’ Queenz and ‘The Circle’ star, DJ Woody Cook. There will be a supporting a line up of local talent being showcased, too. More acts will be announced shortly.
Mourant has sponsored CI Pride for three consecutive years and Mourant Jersey Managing Partner, Daniel Birtwistle said: “Mourant is thrilled to support CI Pride for the third consecutive year by sponsoring this year’s parade across both islands. Pride is a fantastic opportunity to bring everyone together to celebrate the islands’ diverse community, raise awareness of challenges experienced by the LGBT+ community, and of steps we can all take in creating an environment where everyone can be their true selves.
“We’re committed to nurturing a culture of inclusivity and mutual respect, where our people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences are empowered to thrive and feel that they belong. Team Mourant is looking forward to joining the parades in September and supporting inclusion across our whole community.”
JE is also sponsoring Pride in Jersey for their second year and Head of Organisation Development, Dave Crossland said: “Jersey Electricity is immensely proud to be Gold Sponsors of this year’s CI Pride event. We enable life’s essentials for everyone in our community, regardless of personal history or background. Openly recognising each other and contributing to a community that celebrates and values difference is something that we will continue to do now and in the future. Being mindful of the diversity in our employee and customer communities means that we constantly seek to listen to and include everyone. CI Pride is a fantastic way for us to celebrate together.”
Keep up to date with all event news and information through the Channel Islands Pride Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages and website.
Monkeypox: what you need to know
Please keep yourself and others healthy this summer by being aware of the facts about Monkeypox and how it is spread.
Monkeypox is a rare viral infection. Recently, there have been a number of cases in the UK, Europe and other parts of the world.
The infection can spread through close physical contact, like kissing, skin-to-skin, sex or sharing things like bedding and towels.
Monkeypox has not been described as a sexually transmitted infection, although it can be passed on by direct contact during sex. It is important to remind everyone to be alert to any unusual rashes or lesions on any part of their body, especially their genitalia.
Monkeypox cases in the UK are most prevalent in men at the present time. This means that men who have sex with men are at a greater risk of contracting it. Everyone is being asked to be aware of the monkeypox symptoms, but it’s important gay and bisexual men are especially alert as it’s believed to be spreading in sexual networks.
Monkeypox symptoms can be treated, it is usually mild and most people recover in two to four weeks.
The signs and symptoms are:
• Recent unexpected/unusual spots, ulcers or blisters anywhere on your body
• Fever
• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Chills and exhaustion
• Swollen glands
You can help stop the spread of Monkeypox by:
• If you or any recent partners have developed unexpected or unusual spots, ulcers or blisters on any part of your body, including your face or genitals, call your GP or the sexual health (GUM) service, as soon as possible. You will be treated sensitively and confidentially.
• And additionally avoid close physical contact with others until you have had medical advice. This will minimise the chance of passing it on.
It is important that if you have any of these symptoms, you must not attend the sexual health clinic or GP before you have sought advice via telephone. Call the sexual health (GUM) clinic: 01534 442856 or email: s.h@gov.je
More information can be found here: https://www.tht.org.uk/news/monkeypox-uk
Liberate’s CEO awarded MBE in Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Birthday Honours
Vic Tanner Davy, Liberate’s CEO, has been honoured in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Birthday Honours for his services to diversity and inclusion in the Channel Islands.
Vic says:
When I was tapped on the shoulder at the march for equal marriage in June 2014 and asked by Liberate Guernsey whether I would start up Liberate in Jersey, I had no idea what a journey I was about to go on. I have met some inspiring, diverse and colourful Islanders on that journey, including my (now) wife, Paddy, who was one of the founding board members of Liberate, and Christian May, who was our first Chair and who is still a board member and CI Pride Director.
I am incredibly proud of what the charity has achieved in terms of our work with Government on same sex marriage law, discrimination legislation, the pathway to healthcare for transgender and non-binary Islanders, leading the ‘Access the Island’ part of the disability strategy, being part of awareness campaigns, consultations and scrutiny including, most recently, presenting the case for better accessibility in the new hospital plans. I am also proud of the work we have done in the community from all the training and talks we have delivered to organisations and groups, to our Accès and DIFERA accreditations schemes, to our counselling service, including our support for people living with HIV, to our partnership with BLM Jersey, to our involvement in diversity panels, to delivering Channel Islands Pride since 2015. I really want to thank everybody (and there have been a lot of people!) who has been part of Liberate’s work since 2014.
In a nutshell, my role and responsibility is to be the voice in the room that reminds people that not everyone in Jersey has the privilege of being accepted for who they are wherever they go. Mostly that reminder has been welcome, but for some people it feels uncomfortable or too difficult, which is where Liberate’s work begins in educating, exploring and discussing difference. Over the last 8 years, we have done that as a charity and conversations in workplaces, schools and homes that were not being had when we started are now much more common. So, for me, the honour also recognises that Jersey is on a path towards being an Island that embraces all its citizens.
I am so lucky to work alongside all my Liberate colleagues, past and present, in Jersey and Guernsey and I am hugely privileged to support the clients we work with at times when they are often at their most vulnerable because an incident has happened to them or they are in the process of working out a new identity. These wonderful people teach me new ways of seeing the world every day. Receiving an honour from the Queen for work that I am already honoured to do is the icing on a rainbow-coloured cake!
