By Cameron Moore
AS a bisexual woman living in a small island community, I feel very lucky to have grown up in a supportive and inclusive society. Although we are sort of rural, Jersey and Guernsey are considered a ‘safe space’ for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning (LGBTQ+) community, with the amount of encouraging family, friends and allies who fill the Channel Islands.
The much-anticipated Channel Islands Pride parade is back during early September, and it’s gonna be a big one. The Channel Islands Pride organisation are hosting this year’s parade again, and although last year’s livestream of Jersey Pride was fantastic, this will be the first year that everyone is back together celebrating since lockdown … and there’s a 70s theme.
That’s because it’s the 50th anniversary since the first LGBTQ+ protests took place in London in 1972, when thousands of people walked down Regent Street to fight back against gay shame and hate. While celebrating how far we’ve come as a community and society, it is still so important to recognise there is more to be done.
The Liberate Jersey organisation said: ‘Around the world, there are still 71 countries which criminalise LGBTQ+ people in some way, with 12 having the death penalty for same-sex ‘activity’. This goes to show that just because you might not experience bullying, stereotypes or dated stigma, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Pride events encourage visibility, honour and festivity, so if you want to celebrate your summer with rainbow flags and drag queens, while in your groovy glad rags, the parade will commence on Saturday 10 September at 1pm. The march will start in the Royal Square and go all the way down to the People’s Park ‘Pride Village’, where you can enjoy stage performances, a silent disco, a family fun zone, a chill-out tent and a feast of food and drinks.
Headliner DJ Woody Cook, son of superstar DJ Fatboy Slim, will be performing at 8pm on the main stage. DJ Woody was recently in his element performing on the decks at Glastonbury. In an interview with Attitude magazine, he said: ‘Despite exploring my own genres independently, my taste is similar to my dad’s. However, I’ve got to say the 2020s are gonna kill it.
‘There’s a new wave coming. There’s all these new artists, specifically in the UK.’
He came out publicly as bisexual in 2019, and explained: ‘I’ve had people say to me, “Oh, you’re just saying you’re bisexual because it’s trendy”, and I’m like, “No, my sexuality is not a bloody trend”. I don’t think I’m alone in saying that comments like these, especially from people you know, are still quite common.’
At 9pm there will be a dazzling performance from the drag queens Queenz: The Drag Show with Balls!, which will feature live vocals and sing-alongs to pop classics from Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Whitney Houston and everything in between. These queens recently debuted on ITV’s Walk the Line, where they harmonised and rapped before receiving the thumbs-up from the judges. After having the drag queen DJ Jodie Harsh perform at this year’s Out-There festival, having more diverse musicians come to our little island is amazing.
Many other spectacular stage performers and singers will attend, such as Sister Disco and Little Black Dress, BRICK HOUSE, Shea and many more. Beforehand, there will be welcomes and speeches to remember why we celebrate Pride, together with an appearance of Queer cabaret icon Dr Adam Perchard.
I spoke to Channel Islands Pride director Christian May, who told me more about the upcoming parade: ‘Pride is still hugely important. Although we are lucky that Jersey is a supportive community, it is not just about us. We must protect others who feel trapped or are less likely to be accepted.
‘There is still homophobia; there is still a gender pay gap; there are still debates on abortion and reproductive rights. Although we have grown so much, there is still lots to do to fight for equality for all.’
Mr May has organised Pride parades in the Channel Islands since the very first one in 2015. He added: ‘Pride parades have always been completely free, so there is no possible segregation, and anyone who would like to come can celebrate. I am so excited for the local acts to perform. They have played for us before and they’re just amazing. I’m also looking forward to Queenz and Woody Cook after their recent performances in the UK over the summer. It’s so exciting knowing all these talented LGBTQ+ artists are coming to Jersey.’
Pride celebrations today are still so vital. My own experiences is that over the years the amount of acceptance and support has grown, not only in Jersey but around the world. I’ll admit, since my childhood, and even before then, we have gone through a lot to get where we are now due to bullying in schools and segregation in workplaces, as well as family and friendship differences.
The meaning of Pride should never and will never be forgotten – rights can be lost as well as won. Despite the progress made since the Stonewall Riots of 1969 that transformed the gay liberation movement, or because people today still have to educate their grandparents for using outdated and offensive terminology, until everyone is equal – and even after that – Pride parades will still march with a purposeful stride every year.
The organisations that are promoting this year’s Pride parade, Channel Island Pride and Liberate, also offer volunteering opportunities, donations, services and information to those in need or are interested in learning more. Visit channelislandspride.org or liberate.je for more information.
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Cameron Moore (20), who studied at Hautlieu and Highlands, is working as a summer intern at the JEP assisting with the Pride of Jersey awards.
