Dublin Pride
This weekend saw the 25th annual Dublin Pride, and, on the spur of the moment, a few friends and I decided to jump on a bus and go…
Despite the pouring rain, the four of us trapsed down to the Europa to get the bus to Dublin, and when we arrived it was still raining. One broken umbrella, and a large amount of chocolate later (they make Cadbury’s with whole milk in the South, rumour has it…), we found our way to Parnell Square to gather for the parade.
Luckily, the rain stopped just before the parade was due to start, and off down O’Connell Street we marched.
Despite the rubbish weather there was still a good turn out, and the atmosphere was upbeat.
The parade ended at St. Stephen’s Green (I think…) with a few talks from various people, including a rather good one from a drag queen. However, one of the points raised was that they believe civil partnerships, as in the UK, aren’t good enough, and they were pushing for marriage. I wonder how they feel given todays announcement of the civil partnership bill…
Then we went wandering around Dublin looking for somewhere to get some cheap food/drink, and ended up in Häagen-Dazs cafe, where we were charged extortionist amounts of money for a few scoops of ice-cream. It was rather delicious though!
After walking around a bit more we went to The George for a drink or two. It was absolutely packed because of Pride, and it did feel a little odd being in a dark, noisy club at 4 in the afternoon, but it was fun nonetheless.
Some more pictures after the jump…
how do you feel about the civil partnership/marriage situation?
ally simpson
June 25, 2008 at 5:40 PM
Personally, I can’t see why LGB people are pushing for ‘marriage’, as marriage seems have religious connections. I for one would feel uncomfortable with the idea of marriage, as I’d be marrying into an institution that treats a fundamental part of me as an sinful.
Having said that, it looks as though it’s going to be different in Ireland. In the UK, civil partnerships offer the same rights as marriage, but in Ireland it looks as though there are some grey areas, particularly with regard to children. I guess we’ll have to wait and see what happens!
Out of interest, how do you feel about it?
Joel
June 25, 2008 at 6:02 PM
I am not sure how to answer this without sounding like i have some agenda to try and ‘save’ you!! You may have noticed from my blog that i am a ‘christian’
I believe that a fundamental part of all of us is sinful. (yes this is 2008 and i have not landed from another planet or Alabama)
The ‘church’ does an awful job of either admitting this or even realizing it, instead it chooses to alienate itself from any possibility of being taken seriously with prejudiced opinions & a lofty attitude of pride. (i am surprised someone has not started a group called ‘christian pride’)
I have wondered though why marriage is high on the agenda for some when the religious connection casts a shadow over the whole thing………………..i guess if the rights are the same, the name would be less significant?
ally simpson
June 26, 2008 at 9:12 PM