Letterkenny’s first Pride festival is coming to town this August 19th.
The event will celebrate members of the LGBTQ+ and allies in Donegal, following on from the success of Inishowen Pride and Bród na Gaeltachta.
Not only will there be a parade, but there will also be music in local venues, spoken word, art and activities for all ages.
A voluntary organising committee is being spearheaded by Kayleigh Bowery, Aisling Jarvis, Laura Dunne, Pauric Havlin, Oisin Sterrit and Steven Crane.
The launch is even more significant, as 2023 marks 30 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Ireland.
Letterkenny, despite being the county’s largest town, has yet to host a Pride parade. It seems now that all it needed was a group of passionate people to lay out plans.
Kayleigh tells Donegal Daily: “It’s not only Pride within the LGBTQ+ community but we are also giving the chance to other people, like the families of people in the community, to say we are proud of you too.
“We have come a long way. It is important to show that you don’t have to leave home to feel like you belong here.
“We often see many young people, as soon as they get the chance, leaving home. Generally that seems to be the story of people from Letterkenny in the LGBTQ+ community – they leave to find themselves before they are even comfortable coming out.
“I think there is this perceived notion of a lack of acceptance. It has massively improved in recent years but it particularly impacted the people who left 10 years ago and more.
“Everyone has their own reasons and their own family situations but I think having a place and an openness in the community that you can connect with is important.
“I know very few members of the LGBTQ+ community in Letterkenny and I think that we need to be brought together, and get people meeting like-minded people.
“We want to get the conversations going and show people that there is a community to talk to.”
Dunfanaghy native Kayleigh’s partner is Aisling Jarvis, the daughter of Moya Brennan. Despite the advancements in inclusion in Ireland, Kayleigh says there is still a stigma.
She said: “There is still stigma around the community. I’m not sure whether it’s done with any intent. I think people are unaware of how to ask questions and what questions to be asking. They are worried about offending someone.
“Pride can open conversations with people in the coffee shops and on the street and see people expressing themselves and love.
“I’m in a beautifully loving relationship, and for somebody to see that and to know what doesn’t matter is that they are both women, what matters is that they love and communicate well with each other.”
Kayleigh says it is important that children see the show of diversity too.
“Being inclusive is how ideas change down the line,” she said.
“It is wonderful to see how people have moved forward and changed their way of thinking, even if they are older.
“I have a nine year old daughter, it was very sweet, she told me: ‘Mum I really want you to know I am really proud of you for this’.”
The Letterkenny Pride Committee have launched a fundraising appeal to help make the day a success.
“It’s a big project and we are massively looking for help and sponsors,” Kayleigh said.
“We have been very lucky to have strong sponsors in the town and generous people.
“What is really lovely is that we are getting donations from people in America with a connection to their home town. They are saying ‘fair play to you, it’s been a long time coming’.”
As well as support with organising, they are also hoping to inspire as many people as possible to join the festival
“It doesn’t matter if you are a proud mum, dad, sister, brother, uncle or aunt, we want to see you there.
It can be a fun event for everybody, it’s going to be colourful, exciting, full of love and passion and drive.”
More information and updates on Letterkenny Pride Festival will be available at: Letterkenny Pride
