Wexford’s Pride in the Park ‘24 will capture the power of ‘queer joy and community solidarity’

This year’s line-up features local musical talent and drag acts including Crimson, Lilli Dobbs O Brien, Bloco Garman, Anam Choir, Orbit LGBTQIA+ FDYS, 12 Gauge Outrage, Sam’s Collective and the first performance of Wexford Pride's very own queer chorus. In addition, there will be more than 20 vendors at the event, with homemade crafts, literature, art, and food on offer.

Returning for their second year, Poppy De Scrace and the Disgraceful Cabaret feature at this year's Pride After Party in collaboration with the Wexford Arts Centre. Joining the line-up of Irish drag and Nerdlesque will be Richard Joke, Kora Elle, Erick Shan, Aurora Divine, Max Volume, Desire and Chronic QT.

“Pride in the Park is the one time a year when we really get to celebrate the amazing queer community across Co Wexford,” said Community Liaison for Wexford Pride, Veronica Victor. “We need these outlets to detoxify from all of the negativity we continue to face, and remind us that being LGBTQIA+ is a beautiful and joyous thing.

“Wexford Pride’s values are firmly rooted in pride's political spirit and historic movement as an ongoing fight seeking social justice and equality for all LGBTQIA+ people.”

Although she says Ireland has made “significant strides” in recent years, Veronica stressed the importance of events like Wexford Pride and how they allow those within their community to show solidarity with one another.

“We must continue to show up in solidarity with those in our community who live within the intersections of queerness with broader systems of oppression and discrimination that continue to seek the marginalisation of those society deems as different. This is reflected in Wexford Pride’s ongoing engagement with the fight for an informed-consent model of transgender healthcare, promoting greater social inclusion and community inclusion in partnership with Le Chéile, and supporting a coalition of disabled persons representative organisations in the campaign to scrap the Green Paper on disability payment reform.

“In this vein, we're delighted to support the inclusion of local community groups and national organisations that work tirelessly to achieve a vision of a just and equal society for all, including Community Action Tenants Union (CATU) Wicklow & South Wexford, Wexford People Helping People, Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) South East and many more.”

In the past 12 month, Wexford Pride has continued to expand and now runs a year-round calendar of events and groups which seek to cultivate a safe space for LGBTQIA+ people and those exploring their identity. This includes both online and in-person peer support groups supporting LGBTQIA+, trans feminine and asexual/aromantic individuals, and is complemented through social spaces including Tea on The Quay, a monthly social night, an art club and its queer chorus.

“The growth in our community speaks to the fundamental need for dedicated LGBTQIA+ spaces that support the visibility, representation and inclusion of queer people as part of the fabric of our local communities,” said Rían Browne, Public Relations Officer for Wexford Pride: "As a community-led organisation that does not receive funding or corporate sponsorship, we work entirely in the spirit of community partnership and solidarity, and I think Pride in the Park is an incredibly powerful reflection of what can be achieved when remaining true to those roots.”