Channel Islands Pride will be the biggest it’s ever been as it takes a step towards becoming a “destination Pride”.
The event, on Saturday 12 September, is moving from Market Square to La Vallette Bathing Pools.
Ellie Jones, CEO of Liberate and organiser of Channel Islands pride, thinks it might be “the most scenic and beautiful Pride marches … the world has”.
The change in venue comes as Channel Islands Pride also celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Ms Jones said, “it feels like a really nice evolution – we’ve grown up a little bit now and now we’re moving to a bigger place and it should be a really positive and fun move”.
Helen Bonner-Morgan, Operations Director at Vive La Vallette, said: “Pride has always been about bringing people together.
“Whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community, an ally, a family, a visitor to the island or simply curious to see what Pride is all about, everyone is welcome.
“We are very excited about having Pride here at La Vallette and can’t wait to share what we’ve all been working on.”
Ms Jones said she’s proud of the economic impact Channel Islands Pride has on the local economy.
It brings in £1.25 million into the local economy with the average attendee spending £250 over the weekend, she added.
It’s part of why they have moved to La Vallette.
She said that with the added space Pride will be able to “create different spaces,” like a “Pride Village” and create something that feels “more like a festival” that can take place over a longer period of time.
She added: “We want to make Channel Islands Pride into a destination Pride.”
Ms Jones explained: “Within the UK, lots of LGBTQ families are now having their own families … and they’re looking for a Pride to come to with their families, not just to come and have a party with lots of drinking.
“They want to really experience a place and find out how accepting it is or whether they fit in and can embrace their identity.”
This year’s event has a programme filled with entertainment.
From Elle Vosque of Ru Paul’s drag race fame, 90s dance act Angie Brown to Chappell Roan tributes and a performance from Jersey’s LGBTQ+ choir, Lavender Choir, there is something for all ages and interests.
Ms Jones said that Pride is so important precisely because it is for everyone.
She said: “I think visibility is one of the big things, just being able to see more people around, people feeling comfortable … Pride is so important for that.
“The world isn’t really the greatest place at the moment for LGBTQ people.
“If you think about young LGBTQ people growing up with the rhetoric that they’re hearing online and in the media, this imported rhetoric from the UK and the States around trans people, it’s really damaging to their mental health.
Ms Jones said Pride had a “responsibility to educate people as well as show people what our community is about”.
She added: “It shows people that they can be proud of who they are, and that there are thousands of allies willing to stand up and be counted to say, actually, these negative views don’t represent us, and they might be busy right now, but they definitely don’t represent the majority of people.”
“So having a space where people can come and know that they’re accepted, they’re welcomed with love and with fun … bringing that positivity around those identities is really important.”
Now that’s something the whole island can be proud of.
