Waterford Pride 2001 

The Munster Express has printed an article covering Waterford Pride weekend 2001, the article can be read on their website www.munster-express.ie - an extract of the article follows.

Waterford Pride, the city's now annual celebration of sexual diversity set to take place this weekend will be the most extensive ever and the organisers are confident that this is only the beginning.

Viewed as the highlight of the calendar for Waterford's gay and lesbian community, the festival has developed rapidly in the past few years and approximately 600 people are expected to descend upon the city for this year's event.

''For years, Waterford people have attended Pride in other cities, and now we are in a position to invite those friends to come here, where our festival has ambitiously grown to become one of the most diverse and fun'', commented committee member Alan Brett. ''Pride is an arts, social and cultural event and outside of the 2 big cities (Belfast & Dublin), Waterford perhaps best reflects all three aspects.''

This is the 5th time a Pride festival has been held in Waterford - there were two events in the mid 1990's and this is the third consecutive year since it resumed in 1999. Made possible through the financial backing of Waterford Corporation's Arts Office, along with local fundraising and sponsorship, this year's extended programme includes Waterford's first Pride parade, something that the committee hopes will attract a more mainstream audience to some of the festival events.

''The addition of the parade and post parade party this year came through a recognition that this was the logical next step in the process - we don't want a separate 'ghetto' for the gay and lesbian community, but for it to be an integrated part of the mainstream community. For all communities who face issues of social exclusion this is a key goal.''

Pride in other cities is almost exclusively funded by sponsorship and fundraising within the gay community. Alan, who is a resource worker with the Waterford Gay and Lesbian Resource Group at St. John's Park, said this was assisted by the presence of far more commercial gay venues and businesses in other cities: ''Waterford's community is not yet at that level and the grant from the Arts Office makes a huge impact on the programme we can put together.''

Last year, the various Prides throughout Ireland came together to form Interpride, through which each cities festival benefits through increased co-operation and knowledge sharing, training and visiting the other cities, giving the hard-worked pride committee a chance to enjoy themselves at another city's event.

The link with Interpride is just one facet to the rapid development of Waterford Pride, according to Alan. More locally, he said the locating of venues had improved dramatically, with the opening of community space, 'Prism', and the launch of two commercially run monthly gay clubs. ''Previously, the Pride committee always struggled to put on everything they would have liked due to the lack of available venues. The arrival of the commercial clubs has tied in with a recognition of the value of the 'pink pound' on the part of Waterford venue owners. And, for the first time, we have managed to attract significant funding from the commercial sector, adding a sense of security and stability to the event.''

In the future, the Waterford Pride committee hopes to develop existing links with its Belfast counterpart, as well as foster further ones with the event in Waterford's twin city of Rochester.

''The internet is also a possible avenue worth exploring - at present our site carries only listings, but eventually art, poetry, writing, video etc can be included'', stated Alan. ''There is a large body of people within the gay community for whom the Internet is the only source of contact with other gay people. The festival needs to be brought to them if it is to reach its full potential audience.''

Key events on this year's programme, which encompasses a photography, sculpture, art, live music and street events, is a choral performance by gay and lesbian choir Gloria at Garter Lane on Saturday, followed by the parade. Featuring a 30- foot long rainbow flag, a worldwide-recognised symbol of the gay and lesbian community, it promises to be a colourful spectacle. The Forum will act as the festival club throughout the weekend, with the White Ball taking place on Saturday night. Meanwhile an exhibition entitled "Pride{s} and prejudice", will be on show at Prism throughout the weekend, in conjunction with Belfast Pride/ Co-Operation Ireland, as will a show featuring local gay and lesbian artists on the theme of "coming out".

''The festival is a key part of building a sense of community, and in building self-esteem and confidence of those coming out or considering doing so'', Alan concluded. '' As the festival grows, we hope that this will provide a source of encouragement and support to those not in a position to 'come out'.''

Article by Michelle Clancy - Munster Express
Web- http://www.munster-express.ie//news11.htm

Related Links
Waterford Pride
Munster Express
Waterford Corporation
Gay Waterford