Pride month may be over, but that doesn’t mean that Ireland’s LGBTQ+ population is calling it quits on the celebration! QuareClare, the LGBTQ+ advocacy organisation for Clare, has unveiled the programme for the county’s 2023 Pride celebration, taking place from September 18 to 24 in Ennis.
QuareClare describes the event as a “week-long celebration of unity, inclusivity, and love,” and the group has also announced that the theme for its 2023 celebration will be ‘Stand Up, Stand Out, Stand Proud’. This year’s theme “emphasises the importance of coming together and celebrating our unique identities while promoting acceptance and unity,” according to organisers.
The county’s 2023 celebration will play host to the inaugural ‘Pride March for Unity’ on Saturday, September 23, as part of its week-long lineup. The historic Pride march will be led by Ennis’ own Ennis Brass Band, and according to QuareClare, it “symbolises the unity of our diverse community”.
“We invite everyone to join us on this momentous occasion as we stand together, proud and unapologetic,” the organisation added.
?️? Join Clare Pride’s historic Unity March on Sept 23, 11 AM, Parnell St, Ennis. Celebrate love, acceptance, and unity! ? #ClarePride23 #UnityMarch pic.twitter.com/0LveKYmGhW
— Quare Clare LGBTQIA+ (@QuareClareLGBTQ) September 9, 2023
In addition to the ‘Pride March for Unity’, the festival will play host to a slew of other LGBTQ+ events, including the Clare Pride Celebration hosted by Paul Ryder. Ryder, a well-known figure in Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community thanks to his drag performances and work on Ireland AM, will host the party as his character, The Ringmaster. The Clare Pride Celebration will similarly feature performances from The Circus Ponies and The Wild Geeze.
Cllr Joe Cooney, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, spoke with enthusiasm regarding the upcoming event: “I would like to wish the organisers of Clare Pride every success with this year’s festival…Clare County Council is committed to inclusivity and diversity in line with our equality and human rights public sector duty.”
Chris Kobel, Chair of QuareClare and Co-Chair of Clare Pride 2023, added: “Clare Pride 2023 is more than a celebration; it’s a powerful statement of unity, a celebration of love, and a testament to the strength of the LGBTQIA+ community in Clare. It embodies our commitment to fostering unity and celebrating diversity throughout Clare.
“It’s a joyful affirmation of love and acceptance, creating space for individuals to express their authentic selves boldly. This week’s events are centred around a powerful message: our voices are heard, our identities are celebrated, and together, we forge a path towards a more inclusive and understanding future.”
For a full list of all of the events happening at Clare Pride 2023, in and out of Ennis, visit www.QuareClare.ie.
© 2023 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
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