Dublin Pride 2016 Parade, Festival & Theme

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Pull up a pew folks, get comfortable (hopefully this doesn't make ye angry!), crack open a few cans, read on & reply in as much or as little depth as the different questions merit.......... > > > >

Majority of ye probably also follow Dublin Pride on Social Media but sometimes it's easier to be anonymous regarding Dublin Pride and so let's be having you.

What do people think of the theme this year, "Rebel Rebel"?

It's a mixture of remembering those in the LGBT Community who gave their lives and who contributed in any other way to the Easter Rising and ultimately Irish Independence even if the contribution isn't exactly widespread or publicised at the current time as we go into overdrive celebrating & commemorating our centenary.

It's also a doffing of the hat to Mr.Bowie who was different, genius, didn't hide it and celebrated it in a flamboyant & unapologetic fashion.

So what would you like to be part of the Pride Festival this year?

I would like those who participated in the Easter Rising in any fashion highlighted & discussed rather than airbrushed out of readily accessible history.

I would like perhaps to see the G.M. being a descendant of someone from the LGBT Community who was involved if that's not too much to ask for?

Or should we be celebrating the Transgender Rights/Gender Recognition Bill & have say, Dr.Lydia Foy as G.M. leading off the Parade with TENI & their respective branches such as Parents/Childrens Groups as the "Colour Parade" so to speak.

After all Ms.Foy stuck her neck, her head above the parapet and it is she we have to hold responsible for TG Rights in this country becoming mainstream at a time when the T was silent, almost taboo even among the LBGTQI Community.

Or is the TG Rights Bill too flawed for some to accept a TG GM?

Or do we go for a G.M. from another, forgotten group, those who're bisexual perhaps?

Bi-erasure is a thing here in Ireland and beyond and needs to be addressed by society; it's having psychologically damaging effects on those who're bi; we're ignoring them, they feel ignored by us.

We should be about inclusivity & not exclusivity & the B & T are at times variously silent.

Perhaps as part of Pride we could concentrate on talks on the LGBT Contribution to Easter Rising & Irish Independence with contemporaneous contributions from descendants of same as well as historical records recording different activities that the LGBT Community participated in, contributed too?

Perhaps we could focus on TG & Bi Talks also as part of a 3 Pronged Approach to the Festival?

Regarding 1916, whether the G.M. is a descendant of an LGBT Contributor to Easter Rising/Irish Independence or whether it's Dr.Lydia Foy or whether it's a representative from the Bi-Ireland Network/Community, would the Army in all its strands march 4 Square behind us in their full regalia colour party as this years Dublin Pride Parade is as important in that context as the Centenary Celebrations/Commemorations are currenty.

Finally, if anyone has any other contributions for this years Festival & Parade let's hear them, let's be having you please!

The floor is yours & your opinions are as valid as anyone elses who's participated or been involved in anyway from those on the DP Board to Volunteer Stewards on Parade Day to Volunteers at Festival Events etc.

Dublin Pride is ours, it's yours, whether your experiences have been positive, negative, constructive etc., please share them here; the Pride Board & Team will read them & accommodate as best they can this year if possible.

Of course the best way is to participate, by joining the board, by signing up to be a volunteer steward (lots, loads always wanted & the sooner the better from a training p.o.v.

No matter how young or old you are the experience will always mean you've learnt, gained something & can add certain skills to your repertoire, mistakes you wouldn't repeat etc. & ultimately something you can add to your C.V. under either Voluntary Work and/or Achievements etc.

You're better off being inside the tent p*****g out than outside the tent urinating in.

Have you perhaps got concerns about the route it will **probably** be taking again this year?

Even keeping said route, is there anything (time-management re crossings, gaps) that could be improved to make sure as much of the Parade gets to Merrion Sq. together rather than in dribs & drabs etc.

Is the route too bare looking (hopefully this will be final year the route will have to deviate to get to Merrion Sq.)?

Would you change the end location going forward?

If you wouldn't are there any changes to layout of Merrion Sq. (Pride Stage/Merrion Sq./Pride Village itself from contributor, the types, products on sale etc.) that you think could be done better?

Is the Phoenix Pk a N.R./Non Runner in the short or long term?

Has Dublin Pride Parade participation plateaued & is there anything that can stop this if it has reached saturation point to prevent a decline, to at least hold it steady, if not grow it.

Let's be hearing you folks; spread this thread far & wide if possible too please as the more diverse an opinion we receive the better for all involved.

Thanks.