Limerick Virtual Pride 2020 takes place from 6 - 12 July, with a virtual Parade on Saturday 11 July at 2.30pm live from the Limerick Pride Facebook page. This year’s Virtual Pride offers something for everyone!
Lisa Daly, Chairperson of Limerick Pride said, "We are thrilled to be still able to bring some Pride into people’s homes during this time to offer a fantastic line up for this year’s festival. Special thanks to all our great community, without your support and teaming up together Limerick Pride 2020 would not have been possible, we are extremely grateful and proud of each one of you, so thank you. This year we chose the theme ‘Support Each Other’ with our hashtag #SpiritOfPride because now more than ever before we should be joining as a community and supporting each other."
Richard Lynch, PRO of Limerick Pride said, "We are delighted to announce that this year’s Grand Marshall is none other than Senator David Norris, an Irish scholar, independent Senator and civil rights activist. Internationally, David is credited with having, "managed, almost single-handedly, to overthrow the anti-homosexuality law which brought about the downfall of Oscar Wilde", a feat he achieved in 1988 after a fourteen-year campaign. He has also been credited with being "almost single-handedly responsible for rehabilitating James Joyce in once disapproving Irish eyes". He was the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in Ireland. We own him so much and we are thrilled that he is our Grand Marshall for this year's Virtual Pride!"
Lorcan McAuliffe, a mental health worker and a proud Limerick man who was crowned Mr Gay Ireland 2020 said, "2020 has put many unprecedented challenges before us. Covid-19 has taught us the importance of family, friends, the love we share and supporting each other. Although this year we won’t walk shoulder to shoulder proudly celebrating the love and pride our community holds so dear to our hearts, we are still all in this together! The virtual pride approach many have taken this year ensures that, although we are not side by side#, we can still celebrate our pride as a community and feel more connected than ever!"
With a physical Limerick Pride Festival not being able to take place, Limerick Pride are holding a Limerick Virtual Pride to bring Pride into your homes and to reach those who may not have ever seen or experienced a Pride event or a Pride parade before.
Lisa added, "We wanted to reach the wider and rural communities so that, even if we cannot dance together in the streets, from the safety of our homes, we will be able to celebrate all that makes our community so beautiful, so resilient, and so rich with diversity. We would also like to encourage everyone, including businesses, to display a rainbow flag or change their business lighting into the colours of the rainbow to mark Limerick Pride this year."
Events include a Glam Pride Inspired Make Up tutorial with local Make Up academy Jimmy C, a GOSHH zoom panel discussion on LGBT matters, Then And Now; an evening of stories, songs and performances featuring Limerick queer artists hosted by theatre artist and musician, Ann Blake and her wife Jenny, a Virtual Cabaret Bingo and a Limerick Youth Service Make Up Tutorial. On Saturday, July 11 from 2.30pm, a Limerick Virtual Pride Parade will stream on the Pride Facebook page followed by the traditional Pridefest featuring performances from many local artists, drag queens and the annual Tea Dance with Myles Breen.
More information can be found on www.LimerickPride.ie and you can watch all the events LIVE on the Limerick Pride Facebook page.
