Pride Watch - Marching for Equality

9 Jul 2009

MarriagEquality and LGBT Noise at Dublin Pride 09

Saturday, 27th June 2009, a day that will forever be etched into the memories of those who were part of Dublin Pride 2009. MarriagEquality and Noise came together to make a stand, to communicate our dissatisfaction with the Government's disregard for the community's desire for full civil marriage rights.

We thought 100 would join us, maybe 50 in half a tux or wedding dress. On the day we thought there was maybe 50. As we started to march possibly 100, we asked people to move forward and suddenly we realised the people behind us were with us, and the people behind them were with us too! There were over 300 marching together with MarriagEquality and Noise and so many in wonderful, some elaborate, some simple, costume.

Some chose not to 'dress up' and instead carried placards with messages for the Government, 'Give us Equality, Give us Marriage.' The people who neither dressed up nor carried placards, vocalised their feelings, 'What do we want, Marriage! When do we want it, Now!' The message couldn't have been clearer or louder!

We wound our way through Dublin city shouting our protest. We were heard. News reports that followed carried words about the marchers in half wedding dresses and half tuxes calling for equal marriage rights. The power of people, the power of a community uniting on the issue was reaching new heights. The Government could not ignore our calls.
The Parade came to a halt at the Civic Offices and was followed by the Post-Parade party hosted by Miss Panti who was joined by a variety of acts including Dublin singer songwriter Michele Ann Kelly and by the activists of the community including Ailbhe Smyth (NLGF) and Anna McCarthy (Noise).

Panti, Ailbhe and Anna all spoke eloquently and passionately on how now is the time for change and equal rights for members of the LGBT community. Each of the aforementioned speakers were met with thunderous applause and chants for equality. It was a truly moving moment. It will surely go down in the history books as a defining moment in Irish LGBT history.
We commend all who took part and look forward to challenging those who oppose our right to equality now and in the future.

There are more Pride Parades across Ireland over the coming months which we need you to make as memorable, as historical, as Dublin's! Email dawn@marriagequality.ie today if you can attend any of the following;

• Northwest PRIDE - 8 August 2009, Sligo Town 8 August 2009
• Waterford PRIDE - 15 August, Waterford City 15 August 2009
• Galway PRIDE - 22 August, Galway City 22 August 2009
• Limerick PRIDE - 19 September, Limerick City 19 September 2009

We couldn't do it without you!
The MarriagEquaity Team.xxx