The island’s first LGBTQ+ choir is due to perform on the main stage at the 10th anniversary of Channel Islands Pride tomorrow.
Scholar and artist Adam Perchard set up Jersey’s first choir for LGBTQ+ islanders and allies earlier this year.
The group first performed at Liberation Sensation at the Jersey Arts Centre and, following the success of that performance, were invited to sing on the main stage of Pride this weekend.
The choir is led by musician Esther Rose Parkes Heinrichs, who said it had already been “such a huge success”.
“We sound amazing together as a choir, and everybody’s really embraced this way of coming together as a community – and it’s been really needed,” she added.
“The first LGBTQ+ and allies choir is made up of a really solid, amazing group of people who are really looking forward to celebrating.”
It means visibility in a safe group, when visibility has often meant unsafety for for a lot of the LGBTQ+ community
Esther Rose Parkes Heinrichs, choir leader
Explaining what Pride means to members of the choir, Esther said: “It means visibility in a safe group, when visibility has often meant unsafety for for a lot of the LGBTQ+ community.
“So it’s kind of creating visibility for us in a way that makes us feel safe but also seen, and where we can really show what we’ve got musically as well as culturally.”
The choir will perform at 16:25 on Saturday 21 June on the Channel Islands Pride main stage – which will also play host to local and UK drag artists, musicians, DJs, and pop star Alexandra Burke.
The main stage will open at 14:00 in People’s Park following the Pride Parade, which will set off from the Royal Square at 13:00.
The free entry Pride Village will also feature a silent disco, food and drink, a family zone, and entertainment for all ages.
PRIDE GUIDE…
