Dublin Pride is gearing up to be more accessible than ever this year thanks to an initiative that plans to include ISL (Irish Sign Language) interpreters as well as subtitled videos at the parade and events throughout the festival.
Following the incorporation of BSL (British Sign Language) at Brighton and Hove Pride for the first time in 2017, Ireland is following suit in a move that promotes greater equality for deaf members of the LGBT+ community. This marks the first inclusion of Irish Sign Language in the festival since the government’s landmark decision to recognise it as an official state lanuage in 2016.
Other proposals to make the festival more accessible include a Rainbow Bus provided by Dublin Bus, allowing those who find it difficult to walk the full route to hop on and enjoy a break as well as a quiet corner at the Merrion Square Pride Village for people to relax amongst the intensity of the festivities.
The GAA have gotten involved for the first time too after David Gough, the first openly gay top-level match official in the GAA confirmed the sports association’s involvement last month. This comes alongside a new fundraiser from Youth Work Ireland that hopes to raise money to allow young LGBT+ people from rural Ireland to travel to the capital and experience Dublin Pride. You can learn more about this exciting fundraiser here.
Here’s a handy list of the events where interpreters will be available to Pride-goers this month.
Launch of Festival, GPO
Tuesday, June 11th, 6:45 pm.
Hirschfield Centre Commemorative Plaque, 10 Fownes Street, Dublin 2
Thursday, June 20th, 6:00-6:30 pm.
Dublin Pride Conference, Radisson Blu, Golden Lane, Dublin 8
Tuesday, June 25th, 9:30 am-4:30 pm.
NXF Dublin Pride Annual Political Debate. HQ, IFSC, Dublin 1
Wednesday, June 26th, 6:30-9:30 pm.
Main Stage at Pride Village 2019. Merrion Square, Dublin 2
Saturday, June 29th, 1:30-9:30 pm.
Speaking about this year’s theme of Rainbow Revolution, festival director Jed Dowling said: “This year we wanted to honour the broad spectrum of progress in our rainbow family. Rainbow Revolution honours all the tireless activism that we celebrate on this 50th anniversary but equally acknowledges the many battles still to fight for our LGBT+ brothers and sisters globally.”
For more info on Dublin Pride festival, the full programme and updates you can visit www.dublinpride.ie.
© 2019 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
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