.At the presentation of €1,000 to Kerry Pride on. Wednesday were, from left; Gina O’Connor, Chloe O’Donoghue, Beth Quirke and Margaret O’Donoghue of Kerry Pride, Cllr Sam Locke, with Siobhan Lacey and Louise O’Connor of Tesco Manor West. Photo by Dermot Crean
KERRY Pride have thanked Tesco Ireland for including them in the Tesco Community Fund where members of the public put forward a local community group or cause to benefit from funding.
Through this fund, members of the Kerry community nominated Kerry Pride across four of Tesco’s Kerry stores and they received €1,000 at the Manor West store on Wednesday afternoon.
The funding they receive will go towards Kerry’s 4th Pride Parade which they had planned to bring back to the streets of Tralee in 2020.
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“On behalf of Kerry’s LGBTQI+ family, we sincerely thank those who put us forward for consideration. Unfortunately, Covid-19 arrived, and we put the parade on the back burner,” said a spokesperson from Kerry Pride.
“We took a conscious decision when the Delta variant surfaced to again, hold tough. In 2022 (Covid-19 and restrictions permitting), Kerry Pride will be back bigger and better.”
KERRY is to host its own Pride festival over the weekend of July 16th to 18th, with in-person, COVID-compliant events taking place across Killarney, Tralee, Listowel, and Waterville.
These will be supplemented by online events for those who choose to celebrate remotely, whether they are located elsewhere across Kerry, Ireland, or indeed the world.
The festival will run across three days and includes a schedule of hikes, swims, picnics in pods, drag karaoke, quiz night and family-friendly events.
Events in the greater Tralee area take place on Saturday, July 17 and include a swim in Fenit, a Pride Celebration in Pearse Park and a number of events throughout the day at Maddens Cafe on Milk Market Lane.
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Full event details, including information and links for ticketed events, are available at www.kingdompride.ie. (also see flyer below).
Kingdom Pride organises this annual event to highlight and celebrate those LGBTQI+ individuals that make up the fabric of Ireland’s regional towns and villages.
Morgan Queeney, Chairperson of Kingdom Pride, commented; “In a time that has been isolating for so many, Pride couldn’t come at a better point. Our Pride’s theme is “Year of the Phoenix”. Every social community is rising from the ashes and being reborn, and we aim to do the same. Our goal is to deliver hope, fun, and colour into life in Kerry for our community and our many allies.”
The festival is being organised by Kingdom Pride, a voluntary group of LGBTQI+ activists in Kerry. The group has an advisory panel of community supports that include the Listowel Family Resource Center; ScEEN In Kerry; Jigsaw Kerry; Trans Kerry Support Group; Kerry Diocesan Youth Service (KDYS); BLM Kerry; Tralee International Resource Centre (T.I.R.C.); CYPSC Kerry; LINC Out Kerry; Gay Project; and Kerry Adolescent Youth Counselling.
PRIDE Inside — the online LGBT festival organised by Kerry Pride, Killarney Pride, Black Pride Ireland, Galway Pride, Limerick Pride, Mayo Pride, and Sligo Pride — has announced the line-up of events happening from July 11-19.
Opening on Saturday, July 11 with Limerick Pride’s virtual parade and closing on Sunday, July 19 with Cuppa T with Tina D, a chat show hosted by the drag artist Tina D; Pride Inside is a week long festival full of online classes, workshops, panel discussions, watch parties, quizzes, music, and live streamed performances.
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Among the Kerry hosted events is the ScEEN in Kerry Website Launch. This is a panel about LGBT+ Visibility in Kerry.
Morgan Queeney, Chair of Kerry Pride said; “Pride Inside is here to celebrate the vast and beautiful LGBTQIA+ family that exists in rural Ireland, and particularly the west. We’re a family, and to quote a wise person “family means no one gets left behind.” Please join us in delivering the best online festival we can do by donating to our GoFundMe! Your donation will not just support one Pride, but seven Prides and all the people we’re trying to celebrate with.”
The Pride Inside online fundraiser is available here — https://www.gofundme.com/f/pride-inside — and the money raised will be put towards entertainment and the correct equipment to stream what is organiser promise will be a lively and exciting virtual pride experience.
Pride Inside events
Saturday 11th:
1. Limerick Pride, Virtual Parade.
2. Pridefest, (online) Bloc Party featuring DJ Olivia Chau.
3. Galway Film Fleadh.
Sunday 12th:
1. Anseo agus Aitcadh, queer chat as gaeilge.
2. Cuppa T with Tina D, chat show with a drag queen host.
3. Queer Eye, Netflix watch party.
4. Galway Film Fleadh.
Monday 13th:
1. Fitness and Dance online class.
2. LGBT+ Art and Expression Panel – This talk is based around the way we as a community express ourselves. When we create art, is this influenced in any way by LGBT identity? Discussion of LGBT+ identity as featured in the media, and how we can use art to connect with others. Speakers include photographers, writers, artists, and media critics. Open to all.
3. Mental Health and Resilience Panel – Mental Health is a topic that applies to all people, but how can it specifically affect people in the LGBT+ community? What is the research, what are the resources, and what are some acts of self-care that we can do? We speak to mental health professionals and charity volunteers to learn more. Open to all.
4. Disclosure, Netflix watch party.
Tuesday 14th:
1. Fitness and Dance online class.
2. Bi+ Community Panel – This panel will discuss experiences that affect Bisexual+ people; erasure, being bi+ in LGBT spaces, being bi+ in rural spaces, and finding your bi+ community. Open to all.
3. Black Pride Panel – This panel will feature queer artists, activists, and residents of Direct Provision. Speakers gather together to discuss art, politics, and being BIPOC and queer in modern Ireland with the challenges and pride it brings. Panel hosted by Black Pride Ireland. Open to all.
4. Pose, Netflix watch party.
Wednesday 15th:
1. Yoga online class.
2. Embroidery online class.
3. We’re Here, We’re Queer, We’re Rural Panel – This panel will discuss the different ways LGBT+ identity is forged in different environments. Some speakers grew up rural and moved away, some grew up in different cities or countries and moved to rural Ireland thereafter. This panel will discuss the specific challenges and joys of seeing LGBT+ visibility in rural spaces. Open to all.
4. A Secret Love, Netflix watch party.
Thursday 16th:
1. Zumba online class.
2. Sexual Health Panel – In this workshop on sexual health we discuss why safe sex is fun sex, LGBT+ sex education, resources for LGBT+ people, and asexuality. Open to those over 18.
Trans and Non-Binary Identity Panel – This is a panel discussion on being trans, gender dysphoria and euphoria, resources for trans people in rural Ireland, a brief outline of the healthcare system, and trans community. Open to all.
3. Live Performance, livestream.
Friday 17th:
1. Yoga online class.
2. Coming Out Workshop – Coming Out is a workshop that covers the topic of taking those first steps out of the closet and into the light. Feeling ‘ready’, practicing empathy for those undertaking this often nerve-wrecking step, and a Q&A to follow all included. Open to all.
3. Queer Belonging Talk – Morgan Queeney presents on what it is to find queer community, and growing up queer in modern Ireland. For many people, and especially youths, finding people like you can feel like a sometimes impossible task. The speaker talks through the process, emotional health, and their experience with Pride.
4. ScEEN in Kerry Website Launch – This is a panel about LGBT+ Visibility in Co. Kerry. Listowel FRC commissioned research called ‘Living in Kerry’ – An LGBT+ Perspective’ in 2018 in partnership with KDYS and the HSE. The recommendations lead to the birth of a Listowel FRC working group called ‘ScEEN in Kerry’ whose aim is to develop a sustainable LGBT+ virtual resource hub that promotes inclusion, equality and wellbeing and whose mission is to build a vibrant, healthy LGBT+ community in Co. Kerry for years to come. Open to all.
5. Live Performance, livestream.
Saturday 18th:
1. Pride in Our Country – This is a panel discussion featuring speakers from different Prides across the island. Featuring hilarious founding fumbles, obstreperous obstacles, and victorious events. Open to all.
2. The Big Party!! featuring performances, music, competitions, prizes and more.
3. DJ Performance, livestream.
Sunday 19th:
1. Cooking online class.
2. Queer D&D, Dungeons and Dragons playing session.
3. Chill Painting online class.
4. Anseo agus Aitcadh, queer chat as gaeilge.
5. Cuppa T with Tina D, chat show with a drag queen host.
KERRY Pride is excited to announce Pride Inside, an online Pride festival happening from July 11-19.
Pride Inside is a collaboration between Kerry Pride, Killarney Pride, Black Pride Ireland, Galway Pride, Limerick Pride, and Mayo Pride.
The events happening online throughout the week of the festival will include panel discussions, watch parties, quizzes, and live music.
People can follow along with the events through their social media on Facebook at KerryPrideFestival, and Instagram at PrideKerry.
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Morgan Queeney, chair of Kerry Pride said: “We are delighted to be working with Killarney Pride, Black Pride Ireland, Galway Pride, Limerick Pride, and Mayo Pride for Pride Inside. This week long event is an opportunity to celebrate how diverse our LGBT community is and to support each other during these difficult times. It is so hard to connect to family, especially found-family and our LGBT+ community at this time. For the first time in history, all these Prides are coming together to bring a sense of belonging to any LGBT+ person and our supporters in Ireland and beyond. We hope you can join us.”
KERRY Pride has announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic they are postponing their parade and festival until later in the year.
“Our focus is on ensuring that everyone in our communities stays safe and well, which means staying home, washing our hands regularly, practising physical distancing on the occasions we do need to leave our homes and following the latest guidelines from healthcare professionals and the government,” reads a statement from Kerry Pride.
The committee is looking forward to bringing the event back to Kerry, for the first time in five years, once the current crisis has passed.
Morgan Queeney, Kerry Pride chairperson said: “We hope to celebrate our ‘A Family of Pride’ theme with events later in the year, but everyone’s health and wellbeing is of utmost importance to us. All decisions made will be guided by HSE and government recommendations. We thank the community for their patience and resilience in this time.”
KERRY Pride is hosting a Variety Bingo fundraiser on Saturday, March 14, in The Rose Hotel at 8pm with all funds going to Kerry Pride and Pieta House.
The event will feature drag performers, live music, special guest bingo callers, games, and spot prizes. Entry on the night costs €10 for one bingo book or €15 for two.
Morgan Queeney, chairperson of Kerry Pride, said; “We have teamed up with Pieta House because mental health impacts the LGBT+ community, but LGBT+ people often find it more difficult to open up about the challenges they face.
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“Our Variety Bingo fundraiser is an opportunity to raise much needed funds, have some fun and foster a sense of community for LGBT+ people living in Kerry.”
The organisers of the Kerry Pride Festival are hoping to put a series of events throughout the weekend of Friday, June 12th toSunday, June 14th.
.Looking forward to the ‘Into-Me-See’ on Sunday night in The Meadowlands Hotel were, seated; writer and director Fidelma Fitzgerald and poet Louise Ward. Back; Pierse O’Brien, Chloe Hood, Namejs Balodis, Katie Moloney, Owen Rua Herlihy, Karen Conway, Regina O’Connor and Joanne Bolton. Photo by Dermot Crean
A TRALEE woman’s play will receive its premiere at The Meadowlands Hotel this Sunday night.
Written and directed by Fidelma Fitzgerald, ‘Into-Me-See’ is a Philomena Dramatics Production and features a talented cast from Tralee and the surrounding area.
The play is Fidelma’s sixth production to date and is in support of the LGBT community here in Kerry.
“The play itself features a diverse set of characters in couples who — through dialogue, dance and beautiful poetry from Louise Ward — come to realise their true identity and shows the emotional journey to love and how difficult it can be for some,” said Fidelma.
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Fidelma thanked Karen Conway for her choreography, Gina O’Connor for lighting and photography, Joanne Bolton for artwork and the cast for their hard work and talent.
The Kerry Festival of Pride committee will be holding the festival in the county on June 12, 13 and 14 with a range of events planned, including a further staging of Fidelma’s play.
Her plays have previously been staged in Tralee, Keel and Killorglin. Fidelma, who is originally from Kevin Barry Villas, has had her work published in Woman’s Way, Ireland’s Own and is soon to publish a book of short stories for children.
The play starts at 8pm and tickets are €10 at the door. There will also be spot prizes on the night and all proceeds raised will go towards the Kerry Festival Of Pride.
KERRY Pride has launched an online fundraiser in order to raise the money necessary to organise an LGBTQ+ Pride parade in Tralee on Saturday, June 13.
“We are proud to celebrate the incredible LGBTQ+ groups, efforts and people here in our small nook of the country, but we need support from people in order to make Kerry Pride the best event it can be,” said Morgan Queeney, chairperson of Kerry Pride.
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The fundraiser, through GoFundMe, can be found by clicking here and every donation, no matter how small, will allow the organisers to put on bigger and better events throughout the weekend of Friday, June 12th-Sunday, June 14th.
“The funds raised will be used to book acts, venues and, of course, run our very own Pride parade through the streets of Tralee. There are many initiatives we hope to run this year, to support and include the LGBTQ+ people we know and love in the Kingdom,” said Morgan.
THE Kerry Festival of Pride is relaunching in 2020 with an LGBTQ+ Pride parade in Tralee on Saturday, June 13th 2020.
The parade will be at the centre of a series of events running throughout the weekend of 12th-14th June 2020 including a social night and a family event. The last time the Festival was held was in May 2015.
Morgan Queeney, chairperson of Kerry Festival of Pride said: “We are delighted to announce the relaunch of Kerry Festival of Pride in 2020. We are coming together to foster a sense of pride, support and community for LGBTQ+ people living in Kerry.”
Participants in the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
THE weather stayed fine on Saturday as the Kerry Festival Of Pride Parade made its way through town.
Former Government Minister, Pat Carey from Castlemaine, was the Grand Marshal for the event which attracted a colourful bunch of people from all over the county and beyond.
It was all part of a week-long series of events celebrating diversity within Kerry.
The parade made its way from the Brandon car park down through the centre of the town and up to the Ashe Memorial Hall.
Pat Carey, who was a former Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs from 2010 to 2011 in the Fianna Fail/Green Party Government, said the day was a very special one for him.
“It’s a big day for me because it’s the first day I’ve been back in Kerry since I came out over the Valentine’s weekend,” said Pat, who is now a public affairs consultant based in Ashbourne, Co. Meath.
“I’m looking across to the Brandon Hotel where I had a misspent youth and I remember I had my first crush on a guy in the Ashe Memorial Hall. There’s a great turnout of people here who are deeply committed and we’re all working for a victory in the referendum next weekend,” said Pat.
I asked him did he ever imagine all those years ago that he would one day be leading a gay pride parade in Tralee.
“Well we didn’t have these things for a start. We might have had a fancy dress parade, that was as near as we got to expressing our artistic side. But it’s great to see people of all persuasions here, not just gay people. On our own, we’re not going to win this referendum. We need to have the support of our straight friends and colleagues as well,” he said.
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Grand Marshal Pat Carey leading the way at the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanClaire Hurley, Sophie McKeown and Gabby July at the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanIn front; Oisin Lawlor with Lily and Paula O’Sullivan, Adeline Fahey and Sinead O’Sullivan at the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanParticipants making their way down The Mall during the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanBilly Keane and Pat Carey at the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanSteven Horan, Ivel Thoppilan, Ailish O’Rourke from SPIN 103FM, Issa Olwengo, Liam Cronin and Lauren Guilfoyle from SPIN 103FM at the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanTed Moynihan and Maria McCarthy of Samba Cuisle at the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanClaire Looney, Thomas Carew and Colleen Sparling O’Riordan at the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanLaura and Kayleigh Smith and Catriona McCaughley at the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
KERRY is to host its own Pride festival over the weekend of July 16th to 18th, with in-person, COVID-compliant events taking place across Killarney, Tralee, Listowel, and Waterville.
KERRY Pride is hosting a Variety Bingo fundraiser on Saturday, March 14, in The Rose Hotel at 8pm with all funds going to Kerry Pride and Pieta House.
