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Islanders who are disappointed that they are unable to travel to Guernsey to celebrate Pride will this year be able to tune in to an online party instead.
The Channel Islands Pride celebrations alternate between being held in Jersey and Guernsey each year, and 2020 was supposed to be Guernsey’s turn. However, Covid-19 travel restrictions in Guernsey mean that people from outside the Island will be unable to attend.
Liberate, the Channel Islands’ equality and diversity charity, asked the Jersey Youth Service if they would take the lead on creating an online Pride event to ensure that Jersey’s young people do not miss out on marking this important event to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.
As a result of this, a group of ten young Islanders have organised Jersey Virtual Pride 2020. The event description promises ‘an afternoon of music, drag, LGBTQ+ stories and some other surprises so that you can still join in celebrating diversity’. This online party will be available both on Facebook and on Jersey Youth Service’s YouTube channel, with celebrations kicking off at 14:00 on Saturday 12 September.
David Bras, the lead youth worker for Jersey Youth Service’s LGBTQ+ offering, said: “Pride is such an integral date on the LGBTQ+ community’s calendar and so we were naturally disappointed when we realised that we could not get to Guernsey to celebrate.
“Although Covid-19 has meant we have had to think a little differently this year on how we mark the event in Jersey, I’m proud of the hard work of the young people who have organised this spectacular virtual party so Islanders can still mark this important annual event.”
The Minister for Children, Senator Sam Mézec, added: “I’m delighted that young Islanders will still be able to take part in this weekend’s Pride celebration, albeit virtually. Pride plays an important part in celebrating diversity, remembering how far LGBTQ+ rights have come as well as the work which is still needed to ensure that all members of our community are treated equally.”
LGBTQ Youth Jersey and Liberate Jersey are bringing you the Pride party you didn't think you could have. You can't get to Channel Islands Pride this year , but you can join in on the fun afternoon of celebrating diversity online. #lgbtqyouthwork #pride #youthwork pic.twitter.com/UX4ebeStEQ
— Jersey Youth Service (@JsyYouthService) September 7, 2020
The Assistant Minister for Education, Deputy Jeremy Maçon, stressed the importance of Pride celebrations in light of the current situation: “During these unprecedented times many amongst our young LGBTQ+ community will have felt isolated at times especially if they don’t have a supportive family. This will be a great opportunity to network and to know that they’re not alone.”
The latest information about the event is available on Jersey Youth Service’s Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages.
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