Young Islanders disappointed that they cannot travel to Guernsey to take part in this year’s Pride event can log on to an online party to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community instead.
Travel restrictions in Guernsey due to the Covid-19 pandemic means that Islanders will not be able to travel to the event which is due to be held in St Peter Port on Saturday 12 September.
Not wanting for Jersey’s young people to miss out on the annual event, Liberate, the Channel Islands’ equality and diversity charity, asked if Jersey Youth Service might be interested in taking the lead on a virtual Pride event.
Ten young Islanders have now organised Jersey Virtual Pride 2020, an online party which will be hosted on Facebook that will be feature local music acts and comperes. The party, which will also be streamed on Jersey Youth Service’s YouTube page, starts at 2pm 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.
“Pride enables us to have conversations about diversity and also shows LGBTQ+ people that Islanders are supportive of them and believe they are a valued part of the community.
“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, said: “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.”
The Assistant Minister for Education, Deputy Jeremy Maçon, added: “I am very pleased that Jersey Youth Service has worked with the Island’s young people to create this online party. 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. Pride is for everyone as it’s about understanding who you are and being to express that without fear so I would encourage anyone to join in and celebrate Pride.”
The latest information about the event is available on Jersey Youth Service’s Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages.
Government of Jersey News Release.