The countdown is on for the full return of the annual Dublin Pride Parade, and yesterday, June 22, the organisation revealed Trans icon, Rebecca Tallon de Havilland, as the highly deserving 2022 Grand Marshal. The announcement was made at the official launch event in The George on Wednesday evening, with speakers including Dublin Pride CEO Jed Dowling, Chair Philippa Ryder, and Lord Mayor of Dublin Alison Gilliland.
Speaking on why the former GCN cover-star was appointed as Grand Marshal for this year’s parade, Jed Dowling said: “Right now, we absolutely need to stand behind all of our Trans siblings in the community and show that we do believe that Trans rights are human rights, and also show that we recognise that right now the needs of Trans and non-binary folk really need to come before many of our own needs.”
Trans representation is of particular focus this year following the fallout between Dublin Pride and RTÉ over the airing of “unacceptable, triggering, and extremely harmful anti-trans ‘discussions’”. As a result of content broadcast on the Radio 1 Liveline programme, the LGBTQ+ organisation made the decision to end its media partnership with RTÉ in solidarity with the Trans and non-binary community.
On the significance of her appointment, Rebecca stated: “I transitioned 35 years ago, Dublin was a completely different city and I wasn’t very welcome in it at the time, so I’ve lived in London for most of my life since then.
“It’s great to be back here and it’s such an honour to be Grand Marshal at Dublin Pride.”
She continued: “Trans lives do matter. We’re human beings like anybody else. So we need all of the support that we can get from the LGBT+ community – let the T shine please.”
Such an honour @DublinPride xx https://t.co/zR6cPq6vWa
— ??????? ?? ????????? (@BexDeHavilland) June 22, 2022
As Grand Marshal, Rebecca will lead the parade themed ‘UCHTACH/COURGAE‘ on Saturday, June 25, from its starting point along O’Connell Street, all the way across the Liffey to the Pride Village in Merrion Square. Proceedings kick-off at midday and are set to finish at around 3PM, but a day full of fun, colour and community is to be expected.
Dublin Pride also launched its new Community Magazine at the event on Wednesday evening, which is available to pick up at the Pride Hub on Dawson St, and will soon be accessible online.
Our new #Pride Community Magazine is out! It'll be online soon but in the meantime, pick up your physical copy at our Pride Hub ?
Big thanks to @GCNmag pic.twitter.com/IEEKIag1wU— Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride (@DublinPride) June 22, 2022
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