For the third year in succession Inishowen Pride will be showing their colours with their annual pride march upcoming at the start of June.
The first Inishowen Pride parade in 2022 was a resounding success, with equal levels of support for last year’s pride event as well as locals show support and solidarity for LGBTQ+ people.
This year’s Inishowen Pride gets underway on Sunday the 2nd of June at 3pm in Buncrana.
There is also a varied schedule of events across next week ahead of the Pride festivities.
Parade organiser Jen McCarron Jen McCarron says that “Inishowen Pride is immensely moving because of the love and support that the community come together to show. It is a beautiful demonstration of our communities standing up for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and gives an important message in particular to our LGBTQ+ young people.”
“Study findings in 2024 by Trinity College Dublin and national organisation ‘Belong To’ highlight that our LGBTQ+ Youth are still at much greater risk of a range of negative experiences and we have to be proactive in our efforts in order to change this. The simple act of showing up as a supporter at the Parade or other events is enough to let those around you be know that you want everyone to feel safe and free to be their authentic selves. Please do not underestimate the positive impact you will have by showing up.”
This year’s Pride theme ‘Different Families, Same Love’ invites us all to celebrate the many shapes, forms, colours and sizes of families within the community and world around us.
Deirdre McDonagh, CEO of Five Rivers Fostering, the main sponsors of this year’s parade, says that “we are very proud to be main sponsors of Inishowen Pride 2024. We at Five Rivers Fostering welcome foster carers from all backgrounds, life stages and nationalities, so this year’s theme of ‘Different families, same love’ is one that really resonates with us and one we are very keen to get behind.”
“The role foster carers play in our community is so important as the care you give a child or young person today will change their tomorrow. But there are often misconceptions about who can foster, and we need and want diversity in our carers and we need carers in Donegal.”
Inishowen Pride has also partnered with the LGBT INTO Teachers organisation this year, which runs an Art competition annually in May for Primary schools themed ‘Different families, Same Love’. Inishowen Pride have extended the opportunity to participate in art competitions of the same theme to secondary level and youth groups in the run up to Pride weekend and are looking forward to seeing the entries.
The Pride programme also includes opportunities for learning and development with a workshop hosted by ShoutOut titled ‘Supporting our LGBTQ+ Youth’ taking place on Wednesday 29th at 12pm in The Inishowen Gateway Hotel.
This event is for parents/carers, teachers, youth workers, and anyone who would like to be an ally of LGBTQ+ people. There is also a specific workshop for teachers and educators also taking place the evening of May 29th. There are limited spaces left on a full training day that is being hosted by CYPSC on May 30th but anyone interested can still reach out.
There will be corporate workshop facilitated by LGBT Ireland taking place Saturday 1st June at 4pm in Buncrana. This short 40-minute workshop will offer businesses and services the opportunity to explore how to develop welcoming and inclusive spaces for all. All of the workshops are free but booking is essential and attendees can be provided with attendance certificate following.
A Pride Screening is scheduled to take place on Saturday 1st June at 7pm at the Tullyarvan Mill in collaboration with Changemakers and The Disappear Here Film Festival. Films being screened will include ‘Mise’, a short documentary produced locally as part of the Donegal LGBTQ+ Heritage project. This film has captured the voices of several individuals from the Inishowen area, and the panel discussion which includes local sports celebrity Nora Stapleton will be an interesting and engaging event.
Pride parade day on Sunday 2nd June is kicking off with a Pride morning walk in the Buncrana area for those who enjoy nature, the company of like-minded people and an opportunity to connect with others before getting ready to be at the parade starting point Scoil Mhuire for 1.30pm or joining supporters on the main street.
For more information on any of the events on the pride programme please check out Inishowen Pride’s Facebook and Instagram pages, or contact the team by email at inishowenpride@gmail.com.
