With a worrying rise in violent incidents against the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland, there is no better time for the country to show its support, and the organisers of the Wicklow Pride Festival have gotten the ball rolling.

Co-founder of the Wicklow Pride Festival, Dave Thomas, has called on allies to proudly fly the rainbow flag as we approach Pride Month on June 1.

This is the second year the call out has been made and Dave shared just how many people responded, “After the call out last year, there was a phenomenal response with many schools, libraries, cafes, bars, shops, hotels, shopping centres and various businesses across County Wicklow flying the Pride Rainbow Flag for the month of June, and in some cases throughout the whole summer, which was amazing. Last year there was an increase of the amount of flags flying, and this is a tremendous show of solidarity from the broader community, and it means a lot to us all.”

Thomas continued, “On behalf of the Wicklow Pride Festival, I ask everyone to join us again this year. Sadly we have recently seen an increase of homophobic attacks, verbal, physical, and, horrifically, the murders of Michael Snee and Aidan Moffitt, which sadly underlines that we still have issues with acceptance of diversity and difference in Ireland.”

He added, “This June, I ask everyone across county Wicklow and beyond, to stand with the LGBTQ+ community by flying a Pride rainbow flag. This sends a strong message, one filled with love, acceptance, support, encouragement and an acknowledgement that our society stands as one community that is beautifully diverse and wonderfully unique.”

The Wicklow Pride Festival are planning to hold a fully inclusive event in early July 2023. They are looking for sponsorship and support to make their grand return.

You can keep up to date on news of the Wicklow Pride Festival through their Facebook page.