Pride celebrations return to Jersey

Thursday 23 May 2019

A colourful celebration of the Channel Islands' LGBTQ+ community is returning to Jersey for its fifth anniversary this year.

Taking place on 7 September, 2019's Pride march will aim to highlight the the coastline, heritage and "the most important part of Island life: community."

With the theme 'Pride on the Beach',  the parade through town will finish at Les Jardins de La Mer for the first time ever, where the Pride Village will be set up with live entertainment, food, drink and community stalls against the backdrop of St. Aubin's Bay and Elizabeth Castle.

Pictured: The Pride Festival traditionally installed at the Weighbridge will be set up at Jardins de la Mer this year.

The celebrations will also include a family-friendly programme of activities on the beach.

Hugo Forrester from CI Pride said: "Pride on the Beach will highlight two aspects of island life of which we are rightly proud – our coastline and our heritage – but it will also celebrate what is the most important part of Island life: community.

"Pride on the Beach is about saying loudly and proudly that this is everyone's island and that the LGBTQ+ community is integral to Jersey's story: past, present and future. We look forward to welcoming everyone to what promises to be a celebration of equality, diversity and community."

Pictured: The Channel Islands Pride celebrates its fifth anniversary this year.

Colin Macleod, Chief Executive Officer at the Co-op - the lead sponsor for the event - said that events like Pride are "incredibly important" as they promote awareness of the inequalities faced by the LGBTQ+ community, and provide a safe haven for people to be who they really are.

"As a local retailer, our vision is to make a real difference to the communities we serve. We see all people in our communities as equal, which is echoed throughout our 'Belonging is Everything' message," he added.

"We celebrate not only the diversity of our communities but what brings us together. As friends of Liberate, we encourage you to join us this year to celebrate all we have achieved and what we can achieve together. We hope this year will be bigger and better than previous events to mark Pride’s fifth anniversary at the new location of Jardin de La Mer."

Pictured: A schedule detailing the route and timings for the parade and the programme of entertainment will be announced closer to the time.

Sarah Fitzgerald from Citibank, which is also supporting the event, said: "We believe an inclusive world unlocks the true potential in what we can achieve together. We're dedicated to supporting the LGBT+ community around the world."