Inishowen Pride returns this week with a range of events for LGBTQ+ people and their allies, concluding with the Parade in Buncrana on Saturday, June 2.
The organisers of Inishowen Pride shared that the theme for the 2024 celebration will be ‘Different Families, Same Love’. The theme, organisers wrote, “invites us all to celebrate the many shapes, forms, colours and sizes of families within the community and world around us.”
This year’s ‘Different Families, Same Love’ theme is similarly motivated by Inishowen Pride’s partnership with Five Rivers Fostering. As the main sponsors of this year’s event, Five Rivers Fostering CEO Deirdre McDonagh said: “We are very proud to be main sponsors of Inishowen Pride 2024. We at Five Rivers Fostering welcome foster carers from all backgrounds, life stages and nationalities, so this year’s theme of ‘Different families, same love’ is one that really resonates with us and one we are very keen to get behind”.
Inishowen Pride has also partnered with LGBT INTO Teachers, a local organisation that runs an annual art competition in May for Primary schools. The art competition, which shares the theme ‘Different Families, Same Love’, will now be open to secondary school students and youth groups in celebration of Inishowen Pride.
Additional events to look forward to at next week’s Inishowen Pride include a workshop with ShoutOut titled ‘Supporting our LGBTQ+ Youth’. The event will be held on Wednesday, May 29, at 12pm in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel. Additional opportunities for learning and development at this year’s Inishowen Pride will include a workshop for teachers and educators taking place in the evening on May 29, followed by a full training day hosted by Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSC) on May 30.
LGBT Ireland will host another workshop in Buncrana on Saturday, June 1, that will “offer businesses and services the opportunity to explore how to develop welcoming and inclusive spaces for all.”
In collaboration with Changemakers and The Disappear Here Film Festival, a number of Pride-themed film screenings will also feature at this year’s festival, including Mise, a short documentary produced locally as part of the Donegal LGBTQ+ Heritage Project.
Scheduled to kick off at 1:30pm at Scoil Mhuire in Buncrana, the Parade will round out the 2024 Inishowen Pride festival.
In anticipation of next week’s festivities, Jen McCarron, one of the organisers, said: “Inishowen Pride is immensely moving because of the love and support that the community come together and show. It is a beautiful demonstration of our communities standing up for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and gives an important message in particular to our LGBTQ+ young people.”
“The simple act of showing up as a supporter at the Parade or other events is enough to let those around you know that you want everyone to feel safe and free to be their authentic selves,” McCarron continued. “Please do not underestimate the positive impact you will have by showing up.”
For more information on the 2024 Inishowen Pride Festival and for the full programme of events, be sure to check out @inishowenpride on Instagram.
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