Dublin Pride has decided to postpone the annual Parade and Festival until September in response to COVID-19 concerns. 

In recognition of community efforts to flatten the curve of this pandemic, it has been decided that the festivities will be postponed for a later date. The Dublin Pride team shared the following message, “Right now it is very clear what we all have to do – Stay at home. Support and respect the workers who can’t. Maintain social distance. Wash your hands. Check in on vulnerable people, and always get health information from trustworthy sources such as www.hse.ie/coronavirus.”

Dublin Pride highlights the importance of being there for one another through these challenging times, “Over the past few days we have kept hearing the phrase ‘In this Together’, a hard reminder that this virus shows no favour to anyone, but more than that, it is a call to arms, a plea to everyone to join the fight and do their part.”

The Pride team further stated, “This will be the theme of Dublin Pride, not just our festival, but our whole year. We stand ready to answer Ireland’s call in whatever way we can, and we ask you to do the same and when the crisis is over, Pride will be ready to play its role in bringing communities together and breathing life back into the city.”

Across the world, numerous Pride events have been postponed for a later date as part of a widespread community effort to uphold safety measures. COVID-19 has greatly impacted everyone’s daily life, however people are still finding creative ways to work together as shown by those involved in Dublin Pride and many other queer artists. 

Dublin Pride said, “Who would have thought that after decades of asking you to come out, we’d be asking you to stay inside? Right now that is very best thing most of us can do, but that doesn’t mean you’re alone. Pride spent 50 years building one of the most vibrant, creative and resourceful communities in the world and we’re ready to shine.”

In response to COVID-19 concerns, LGBT+ spaces have closed their doors, however many services are working remotely, and performers have made their way onto digital platforms to keep the show going. Dublin Pride states, “Support organisations like LGBT Ireland, TENI, BeLongTo, Outhouse, Linc and many others are offering phone and online services. GCN (Gay Community News) is providing regular news online, our Queens are still singing and throwing shade, our DJs are still dancing and we’re still marching, though the fridge features heavily in our current parade route.”

Regarding the always fabulous Mother Pride Block Party, the organisers released the following statement, “The Mother team are working closely with Dublin Pride, liaising with the relevant authorities including the HSE, Dublin City Council and An Garda Síochána. All efforts are being made with a view to rescheduling the Block Party to a date in September to coincide with the Dublin Pride Parade. For the moment stay safe and stay strong. We’re in this together.”

The Mother team are also releasing an amazing Kitchen Disco mix for anyone who wants to use this time to practice their Pride dance moves. As Dublin Pride shared, “We look forward to better times when we can march beside you again. Until then remember, we’re in this together. Táimid leis seo le chéile.”