Write a commentThe 2019 Pride in Newry festival is underway and it's official launch took place in Bellinis on Thursday. This year Newry hosts for the very first time UK and Ireland Pride with over 100 organisations taking part in a parade at 2pm next Saturday 31 August followed by a star studded concert at the Albert Basin from 3pm with Claire Richards from Steps, Heather Small, the voice of M People, Saara Aalto, B*witched and many many more.
Speaking at the launch Rory Rafferty, Chairperson of Newry Rainbow Community, the group that annually runs Pride in Newry said "The festival is a major undertaking for the entirely voluntary dedicated team involved and as you will appreciate throws up many many challenges, many of them you will be aware of.
"We are enormously grateful for all of the continued local support and generosity we have enjoyed over the years. The overwhelming and continued success of Pride in Newry could not have happened and continue to happen without the support of local businesses, trade unions and people.
"The event would not be possible without the support of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Tourism NI, Newry BID, Unite the Union and many many others."
Mr Rafferty spoke of Channel 7 TV from Australia who are coming to Newry to film the event pointing out "the last time Channel 7 came to N Ireland to cover anything was in the aftermath of the Omagh bombing, so to be coming back for a good news story is really special to us."
Visitors to the launch were shown a video that was used to bid for the UK and Ireland Pride festival.
Mr Rafferty commented "Even though ourselves and our volunteers have seen that video very very many times at this stage, it's still hard to watch because it was an enormous achievement to even get pride of the ground at all in 2012 in a place like Newry, because in 2012 people told us that Newry simply wasn't ready and we said that we would make Newry ready and we feel we did. In just eight very short years we've really achieved an awful lot.
"We are a pride of firsts and we are renowned with pride organisers around the island for doing things differently. Typically the other prides copy what we do so no doubt every pride on the island will have a fireworks display next year and we'll have to look at something else, something new to do."
Cll Charlie Casey, Chairperson, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council "I'm delighted to be here representing the council at the launch of Newry Pride 2019"
Cllr Casey continued "Since its inception the pride parade in our city has gone from strength to strength and the awarding of the flagship event Is a testament to that. The pride festival is an excellent example of a genuine community based event"
The chairperson added "I will continue in my office this year to work tirelessly to champion the rights of all our citizens. Everyone has the right to be themselves, to be accepted and safe. I believe also that diversity and inclusion must be at the centre of all we do. It is simple enough - an inclusive society is a prosperous and enriched society. Our council is committed to equality for all and will strive to create a district that is inclusive for all groups including LGBT+ and I recognise there are still many issues to tackle in eradicating homophobia, transphobia and biphobia within our society.
"To the members of the Newry rainbow committee here today council thanks you for your hard work, dedication and commitment and I look forward to participating in the pride festival and encourage everyone to support the celebration of LGBTQ+ lives."
PRIDE IN NEWRY - THE EVENTS
Sunday 25 August
12-5pm, Football Versus Homophobia Tournament (NRC/TRP) - Jennings Park, Newry. This is a 6-a-side football tournament to raise awareness of Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia in sport. This event is for everyone to come along and enjoy a game of football together. Register as an individual or as a team on www.rainbow-project.org/fvh. For more information contact Jayne by emailing jayne@rainbow-project.org.
Monday 26 August
12-2pm – Health & Social Care LGBT+ Staff Forum – Craigavon Area Hospital Restaurant (UNISON) Health & Social Care LGBT+ Staff Forum in partnership with Trade Unions is hosting information stalls promoting Pride and inclusive workplaces. Call by and get rainbow lanyards, pens, posters and stress toys.
8pm – Pride Volunteer Recruitment Evening – Bellini’s, 25 Merchants Quay, Newry. If you are interested in volunteering and helping out at Pride In Newry 2019 visit our Pride In Newry Volunteers Facebook page and contact us to register your interest. More information on the Pride Volunteer Recruitment Evening will be available on the Pride In Newry website and social media.
Doors 8pm, Show 9.15pm. – The Things I Could Never Tell Steven by Outside The Lines Theatre Company – Bellini’s, 25 Merchants Quay, Newry. A new musical by composer Jye Bryant – learn about the titular but unseen Steven, through the disclosures of four people: his Wife, Mother, Father and Ex-Boyfriend. The characters share intimate details about their lives with Steven and the things they struggle to tell him, delicately balancing themes of love, lust, obsession and disappointment, and as we soon find out, Steven has secrets of his own. Starring Paddy McGennity, Sean O’Neill, Rosemary Kelly and Emma Jane McKnight. Produced by Outside The Lines to coincide with the Newry Pride following a succesful Belfast run, with direction by Gary Redpath and Musical Direction by Niall O’ Flaherty, Jye Bryants new Australian musical promises to take you on a rollercoaster of emotion, as each character delves into their relationship with Steven, accompanied by an outstanding score by this new composer.
For tickets visit this link stevennewry.eventbrite.com
Tuesday 27 August
4.30-6.30pm – Domestic Violence Awareness Raising Session LBTI women only (Cara Friend) – Ballybot House, Cornmarket, Newry.
7pm-9pm – LGBT+ Women’s Social Night (TRP/HereNI) – The Cue Club Newry. The Rainbow Project and HERe NI in partnership with Pride In Newry will be hosting an LGBT+ women’s event; this will be an evening of pool and good craic. You can register your place by emailing Marion at volunteer@rainbow-project.org More information will be available on the Pride In Newry, The Rainbow Projects and HERE NI’s website and social media.
Doors 7pm (Debate 7.30-8.30) – Queer Question Time – Auditorium, Sticky Fingers Arts – 1a Upper Edward Street, Newry. This summer the U.K’s leading LGBT+ community discussion event is coming to Northern Ireland. Pride In Newry will be the final stop on the #QQT 2019 Pride Summer Tour following visits to Liverpool, London and Cardiff. Queer Question Time is an hour-long debate made up of 5 panelists to debate LGBTQ+ issues as well as local and national politics. It was established in 2009 at the legendary Royal Vauxhall Tavern in Vauxhall, South London Since then it has gone on to tour the country holding our elected officials and community figures to account. David Robson (Producer since 2015) said “We are so excited to be bringing #QQT to Newry. It’s been a goal of mine since I started. Northern Irish LGBT politics is at a very interesting moment in history and what better time then hosting U.K & Ireland Pride for us to have these discussions on a national level?” Some of the Previous panellists include: Hannah Bardell, Nigel Evans, Kate Hoey, Adam Price, Lloyd Russell-Moyle, DJ Ritu, Asifa Lahore, Sadie Sinner, Vanity Von Glow. Please check the ‘Queer Question Time’ Facebook for panel information.
Wednesday 28 August
12-2pm – Health & Social Care LGBT+ Staff Forum – Downe Hospital Restaurant (UNISON) Health & Social Care LGBT+ Staff Forum in partnership with Trade Unions is hosting information stalls promoting Pride and inclusive workplaces. Call by and get rainbow lanyards, pens, posters and stress toys.
1-3pm – Life, Love & Legal Workshop – Ballybot House, Cornmarket, Newry. The Rainbow Project in partnership with Pride In Newry are hosting an advocacy drop-in space to provide advice on housing, hate crime, benefits, and debt & legal matters for anybody who identifies as LGBT+. Our Advocacy Officer Aisling will be there to answer any questions or queries you may have. This is a free event and you do not need to register, just come along.
6.30-8.30pm – Defence against the Dark Thoughts (TRP) – Ballybot House, Cornmarket, Newry. This pride week why not come along and meet new people and learn the Magic of Self-Help at one of our most popular workshops. Come along and learn how to be your most fabulous self. This is a free workshop and places are limited, so will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. To sign up for the workshop contact Joe on 028 9031 9030 or by email: familysupport@rainbow-project.org.
8pm-10pm – Outlaws Wine & Cheese Evening – Flexi Space, 30 Monaghan Street, Newry.
Thursday 29 August
5.30pm-6.30pm – Free Legal Clinic – Equality Commission for Northern Ireland – Studio, First floor, Maggie’s Café, 6a Margaret St, Newry (beside Newry Reporter office) Do you know your equality rights? Have you experienced discrimination and don’t know what to do about it? Drop in to our free legal clinic, speak to one of our legal officers and get your questions answered. First come, first served. No appointment necessary.
6pm-9pm – Film & Talk – So I Can Breathe This Air (Gay Ethnic Group) – The Sean Hollywood Arts Centre. The Rainbow Project in partnership with Pride In Newry bring the film ‘So I Can Breathe This Air’ to The Sean Hollywood Arts Centre. This is a Film version of an audio walking tour around the streets of Belfast featuring accounts of real life experiences of LGBTQ people of various cultures in Northern Ireland. You do not need to purchase tickets for this event, just come along on the night. Doors will open from 5pm and there is a suggested donation of £5.
7.00-9.00pm – Adopting & Fostering with Pride – Ballybot House, Newry. Adoption UK are delighted to provide this opportunity to share information on adopting & fostering. We invite prospective parents from the LGBTQ community to hear the experiences of LGBTQ parents who are adopting or fostering, alongside representatives from the Southern Health & Social Care Trust who will briefly explain the process involved for all applicants. This event is organised by Adoption UK with The Fostering Network, charities who provide support to families & are keen to raise awareness of the opportunities for parenting. Further details or to confirm your attendance, please contact Adoption UK T: +44(0)28 9077 5211 E: ej@adoptionuk.org.uk
7.00pm – The Big Gay Live Music Karaoke Night, Unison LGBT+ – Nan Rices, 7 Frances Street Newry. Tickets £3 on the door raising money for Sail Supporting Transgender Families. Come to an acoustic set with a difference, send your song choice for a chance to be on stage. Send your song request to E: alexis_dickson@yahoo.co.uk
Friday 30 August
2pm-4pm – Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Awareness Training (TRP) – Ballybot House, Cornmarket, Newry. The Rainbow Project in partnership with Pride In Newry is delivering their Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Training. This training is free and is open to professionals, students, trainees and anyone who would like to learn more about the LGBT+ community. Places are limited so will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. To sign up for the training contact Nuala on 028 9031 9030 or by email: nuala@rainbowproject.org.
3pm-5pm – Children’s Storytelling with Arts & Crafts (HereNI/TRP) – The Sean Hollywood Arts Centre. Come along to this fun, free event for families. Hear stories that promote diversity and inclusion and make some crafts to take home. For more info contact: grainne.gibson@hereni.org
6pm-8.30pm – Pride Rally Placard making Workshop (TRP/NRC) – The Sean Hollywood Arts Centre. Want to make your own individual or group placard for the Pride In Newry Rally/Parade? If you do come along to our free event and let your inner creative child out. Places are limited so will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. To sign up for this workshop call Joe on 028 9031 9030 or email: familysupport@rainbow-project.org.
8.30pm-1am – Sydney Mardi Gras Event (Welcome to Newry) (SMG/PIN/UKPON) – Bellini’s, 25 Merchants Quay, Newry. Come along to a night of entertainment featuring the Down Under Divas, Singer Ronan Parke, Ginger Red – Drag Queen & DJ, plus much more.
Saturday 31 August
8-11:30am – Pride Breakfast – The Shelbourne, Hill Street, Newry
12.30-2.30pm – Pride in Trad – Event Space, Marcus Square, Newry. Celebrating the traditional music of our area with a big Iúr Cinn Fleadh Trad Session for Pride, with Traditional Arts Partnership.
2-3pm – Pride Parade – Assemble at The Quays Shopping Centre at 1pm
3-8.30pm – Outdoor Concert & Fun Fair – Albert Basin Park
3-6pm – Rapid Testing Clinic – Albert Basin Park. The Rainbow Project in partnership with Pride In Newry will be offering Rapid HIV and Syphilis testing. This clinic will be beside The Rainbow Project’s stall, no appointment is needed just pop over and see us. Safer-Sex Packs will also be available at The Rainbow Projects stall and are free so come along and pick a few up.
8.30pm – Fireworks Display – Albert Basin Park
9pm-2.00am – Official After Party – Bellini’s, 25 Merchants Quay, Newry
