Dublin's Big Gay Pride Parade Picture Extravangza 2009

dublin | rights, freedoms and repression | feature

Tuesday June 30, 2009 11:24

by Paula Geraghty

mspgeraghty at yahoo dot ie

`Pride and Prejudice'

Ireland's Next Top Model

Lesbian and political activist, Ailbhe Smith was the Grand Marshal of the largest Pride Parade to date in Dublin. Dublin Pride is one of many parades taking place world-wide to commemorate the 40th anniversary Stonewall Riots of New York 1969.

Pride 2009 was the biggest held in Dublin to date with up to 12,000 people taking part. Ailbhe Smith was this years Grand Marshal - the first lesbian to do so in 26 years. She led off with whip in hand, saving it for the Government. The streets were thronged as passers by smiled, photographed and cheered. It's an incredible day when people can take to the streets and celebrate sexuality and diversity.

The groups included Siptu, the ever regular INTO banner, hikers, bikers, bellydancers, ruggerbuggers, head wreckers, genderfuckers, hopefullers, students, bubble blowers, crossdressers, transgenders, soldiers, sailors but alas no candlestick makers. It was all a fabulous display of colour and assertiveness- as the old saying goes 'We're here, we're queer and we're not going shopping'.

Turning down into Fishamble Street you saw the extent of the security: Group 4, Pride Stewards, Gardaí and private security firm I-RMS. Yep, the same guys who are Shells private security. They didn't quite know how to handle young Pride attendees who just want to have fun. I was asked for my credentials twice by two I-RMS supervisors, the first time in all my years photographing Pride and I hope the last.

Down in the amphitheatre the performers were playing a blinder. Yes, the impersonators were in force vogueing and camping it up with the diminutive Kylie Experience and Cher Guevara with her troop. I didn't think a man could ever look good in tan tights and a long sleeved pink crushed velvet leotard, but I must admit B-abe Power did. Even Panti the MC watched enviously as Pride Factor Karaoke winner Kevin hit those notes as he sang the sure crowd pleaser 'Dream the Impossible Dream'. Katherine Lynch da comedian on da Telly, played her Traveller character Singing Bernie Walsh saying she was all for gay marriage- 'But you try booking a travellers' wedding'. Vicky read a beautiful poem 'Lesbeing' another group ripped up the Civil Partnership Bill, which the government had thought would be celebrated at Pride.

People just don't seem to be able to settle for anything less than equality................................

There's nowt as Queer as folk.

Images (c)

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Comments (10 of 10)

IRMS and IRWS?

by W

Sat Jul 04, 2009 15:07

The photos clearly show two different names on the security staff bibs: I-RMS and I-RWS. Can someone from Pride clarify whether there were two separate companies providing security?

NOT PROUD

by h

Tue Jun 30, 2009 19:22

Following the recent reporting on the connections between IRMS
security - fascist networks such as Stormfront - and on going protests
in Mayo against Shells gas pipeline - Dublin Pride should explain the
reasoning behind the use of IRMS at Dublin Pride last Saturday -
please read article at http://www.indymedia.ie/article/92865 for
further information.

I will not be attending future pride events unless Dublin Pride can
guarantee they will not be using this security company again.

Email sent

by Stephen Lewis - Pers Cap

Mon Jun 29, 2009 22:42

Paula you are tops. You provide fantastic pictures for numerous community based events and you always come up trumps.

The views I express below are purely from a personal capacity.

Having participated proudly under a Union banner on the day, it was an awesome sight to see close to 12,000 people participate in saturdays Pride, and full credit to all those involved and for making it happen in the LGBT community. However can you imagine my absolute horror when I learnt that the same security firm hired by Shell is the same security firm hired for Pride. I am completely disgusted.

I have sent an email to the Pride email address provided and I await a response. I really would like to think this was an oversight. It puts a rather sour note on an otherwise fantastic day.

Dublin pride what a disgrace

by Not proud

Mon Jun 29, 2009 21:01

I am also shocked and sick to my stomach that IRMS who employ KNOWN PROVEN Nazi facists could be employed by Pride

SHAME ON DUBLIN PRIDE

SHAME ON IRMS

Strange days indeed

by Not a happy camper

Mon Jun 29, 2009 09:45

As a gay man and photographer myself, I am totally disgusted by IRMS's involvement in Dublin Pride and particularly the stopping and checking of photographers' credentials. Under what power and authority is I-RMS doing this? Did the Dublin Pride Committee sanction this approach?

That photograph above of an IRMS security guard with a megaphone in his had "supervising" the event says it all. I'm fucked if I will ever attend a pride event that allows IRMS to supervise me! I will certainly be boycotting any future pride events that involve IRMS. How times have changed. I remember attending pride marches in the very early 1990's when you'd be lucky to have a few hundred people marching and any sort of media coverage was extremely thin on the ground and most welcome when it was around. Now they have hired corporate private security to check “credentials”. WTF?

If any feels like contacting Dublin Pride, here is their contact information - http://www.dublinpride.ie/contact/

IRMS caught with pants down !

by Madam K

Mon Jun 29, 2009 02:22

The photo above sums up IRMS performance in the last few days here in Erris.They will certainly have a bad reputation a when the video footage of three activists INSIDE the compound is posted later today .
As if the Solitaire having to flee Kayaks wasn`t enough.

Talk about being caught with your pants down.

wtf?

by anarchaeologist

Sun Jun 28, 2009 23:21

I-RMS stewarding Pride? With rumours circulating that the company has a contract to provide security for RTÉ OBs, it seems remarkable that they're now out and about in Dublin? What right did they have to 'ask you for your credentials'? This has gotta be a piss-take?

That's it for now folks!

Sun Jun 28, 2009 23:16

images (c)

B-abe Power