Liberate in Guernsey and Liberate in Jersey have coordinated a variety of free events across the Channel Islands in September. The CI Pride Parade itself is sponsored by law firm-led professional services business, Mourant, it will be the only dual-centred Pride event in the British Isles.
Confirmed acts for Guernsey’s main event on 3 September include headliners ‘The Freemasons’ with vocalists from their biggest hits Katherine Ellis and Amanda Wilson, and Lawrence Chaney – a RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner.
Day acts will perform from 17:00 to 21:00 and will be followed by an afterparty with Radio 1 DJ Dean McCoullogh.
Liberate Guernsey’s LGBTQ+ choir Rainbow Chorus will be performing in the afternoon as well as local cover band Element 6, and Ru Paul Drag Race star Tia Kofi. A family favourite, the Unicorn Races, will also return which sees decorated unicorns and their owners compete in different challenges: dressage, show jumping and steeplechase.
Celebrations will culminate in Jersey on 10 September. Their line-up is yet to be confirmed.
Pictured: Celebrations for Pride in 2020, at the top of Smith Street.
CEO of Liberate in Guernsey Ellie Jones said the islands have come a long way since the first Pride celebrations.
“However, it’s important to remember that there is still more to be done and, while we love the glitter and rainbows, there is a serious message about the importance of inclusion and providing a safe environment for islanders to express their true selves without discrimination.”
Mourant has sponsored CI Pride for three consecutive years and Thomas Barnes, Principal and Managing Director of Mourant Governance Services in Guernsey, said diversity and inclusion is a priority for the company.
“CI Pride is always a great way to celebrate islanders’ authentic selves and raise awareness of steps we can all take towards achieving meaningful change,” he said.
“This year, Liberate in both islands have outdone themselves in planning a pan-island Pride celebration and we’re looking forward to joining the parade and supporting inclusion across our whole community.”
