Select a region
Guernsey's first gay pride will be recorded by some of the world’s leading photographers.
All of the photographers exhibited in next month’s Guernsey Photography Festival have been invited to take images of Pride’s opening day parade on Saturday 10 September. These images will then be shown on large screen on the Pride stage during the day and after-party at Urban Kitchen.
‘When we heard that Pride was taking place at the same time, we thought it’d make perfect sense to be a part of it,’ said Jean-Christophe Godet, director of Guernsey Photography Festival.
‘The gay community are fighting for the same values that we are – the right of self-expression and freedom of expression. We all very excited to have the first Gay Pride on Guernsey.
‘It’s a celebration and it’s an historical moment. But it’s also sad to say that it should’ve happened a long time a go.’
The photography festival runs from 8 to 30 September with exhibitions all over the island.
More than 20 internationally renowned photographers, who are attending the Festival, have been asked to get involved with the parade day.
But there is one photographer who Mr Godet is particularly hopeful will be able to participate and that is Bruce Gilden.
The New York resident is showing his Japanese mafia and street people project, ‘Go’, in the Guernsey Museum’s Brian White Gallery.
‘Bruce Gilden is a legend of street photography,’ said Mr Godet.
‘To have him photograph the Gay Pride Parade, I’m getting really excited about that. I hope he says yes.
‘But all the photographers are extremely talented.’
The opening day parade kick-starts the weeklong Channels Islands Pride that sees festivities and educational events on both islands until 17 September.
The day gets underway at 3pm at Candie Gardens with music and fun for the family before the parade makes its way down the High Street to Market Square
Live music then follows from 4.30pm in the square and it is hoped that the photographers’ images will be projected live onto a big screen behind the stage.
The images will also be shown at the Liberate This! After Party at Urban Kitchen from 9pm.
‘We can’t wait to see the results of this project,’ said said Ellie Jones, vice-chairperson of Pride organisers, Liberate.
‘Having such prestigious photographers involved in documenting this historic day in Guernsey’s LGBTQ history is so exciting and we are honoured that the Guernsey Photography Festival wanted to work with us on this. It was a fantastic idea that Jean-Christophe and his team have come up with.’
