Channel Islands Pride is set to return to Guernsey this year for the annual celebration of diversity and inclusion amongst the LGBTQ+ community.
The event, which is sponsored by Mourant and Channel Islands Co-Operative Society, will kick off in Guernsey on Saturday 3rd September.
First established in 2015, Channel Islands Pride has become a focal point for the LGBTQ+ and other minority communities across both Islands.
Plus, this year’s pan-island celebrations will also coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first ever UK Pride march which took place in 1972.
The main event will be the traditional, vibrant Pride parade which starts from Candie Gardens, where many people gather throughout the afternoon getting into the party spirit.
The parade will make its way from Candie Gardens down Smith Street, along the High Street, past the Town Church, finally ending in Market Square where the festival style music will begin from 5pm.
“We have a long tradition of welcoming diverse people to our islands, a tradition that breeds tolerance of difference. We are fortunate that for generations this attitude has prevailed in our people, our laws and our leaders, meaning that, as a democratic society, we can hold differing views and our differences are resolved through debate not violence.” said Ellie Jones, Founder and CEO of Liberate, the Guernsey based charity supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
“However, for individuals to be truly free to embrace all aspects of their personalities and be proud of who they are differences must be more than tolerated; they must not only be accepted but celebrated. It is for this reason that we invite everyone to join us to show that we not only accept but support diversity and are proud to celebrate it.”
With Guernsey reachable by London Gatwick and other airports in less than an hour, the week-long pan-island festival looks forward to welcoming many off-islanders to join in on the commemorations.
There will be live acts throughout the day including local favourites Element 6, Ru Paul Drag Race star Tia Kofi and music from headline act The Freemasons with Amanda Wilson and Katherine Ellis.
For more information on Pride events and package deals, head over to VisitGuernsey’s website at www.visitguernsey.com/pride
