Channel Islands Pride wedding makes history
HISTORY was made on Saturday when a lesbian couple was legally married on the stage at Channel Islands Pride.
Thousands of islanders, visitors and guests decorated St Peter Port with a rainbow of bright colours and even the sun defied weather forecasts and made an appearance.
In the largest free event held in the island, people from across the Channel Islands and further afield celebrated their sexualities and gender identities in the fifth Pride event held in Guernsey and the ninth in the Channel Islands.
‘Some things have changed a lot since we started, and some things have not,’ said Liberate CEO Ellie Jones as she spoke on the main stage.
‘One thing that definitely hasn’t changed is the outpouring of love and support for Pride and the LGBT community here in Guernsey.
‘We, the gays, the theys, the queers, the queens, the hes, the shes and everyone in between should be proud, and that’s why we have Pride.’
While the Pride celebrations focused on the progress made in the Channel Islands, and celebrations of the LGBT community, there was also a note of reflection on the work yet to be done, and Mx Jones said that ‘journey is far from over’.
But she said education is the key to helping people understand that just because someone doesn’t fit the stereotypes that society dictates, doesn’t mean they are any less and shouldn’t be made to feel shame about who they are or who they love.
‘Pride highlights the progress that we’ve made while shining a light on the road ahead, yet we’re also reminded that the journey is far from over,’ she said.
‘Every single LGBT person here today will be aware of the global rise in anti-LGBT rhetoric, much of it is aimed at our queer, trans and non-binary siblings. The wording used is identical to that used against gay men, particularly in the 60s, 70s and 80s.
‘The world is currently a pretty hostile place for the LGBT community, and particularly the trans community, and we have a moral obligation to protect them.
‘We have our rights, we have our protections, we can’t turn our back on the trans community. I encourage you to speak to trans people and learn about their struggles.’
Other Pride attendees reflected on the attitudes in Guernsey towards the LGBT community.
‘It feels like there’s been a bit of a pendulum in Guernsey, and I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing,’ said Liberate volunteer Holly Tardif.
‘It feels like it’s swung a little bit in the opposite direction. The trans community have been having it very hard and I think it has made things a little bit more worrisome, but there is always the chance for things to get better.’
