“I’m always very conscious of the people in the world who don’t get to celebrate Pride.”
As we all know by now June is Pride month, and although this year’s celebration will be different there are so many years that have been so fantastic.
We had a chat with a few people who remembered their “first time” and why Pride has been so special to them over the years.
TV presenter Darren Kennedy remembers his earliest memory of pride here in Dublin.
“I was in my early twenties. And I remember myself and my best friend headed into the parade and it did nothing but bucket down all day but we had the absolute best time back at the party at the Civic Offices. I also think it was the first time meeting Panti and being awestruck.”
Like many, Darren has mixed mentioned when it comes to the day itself, it’s a big celebration but also “a day of heightened emotion for me.”
“Never did I think as a young lad growing up in Santry, going to an all-boys school where they revered GAA players, that I would get to walk and celebrate in pride with my peers, with my friends, with my family. It’s just beautiful thing.
“I’m always very conscious of the people in the world who don’t get to celebrate Pride. So while we have great advances and strides in equality in this part of the world, I always think of people who have a to more work to do.”
Dave Byrne, who is head of creative at marketing agency ThinkHouse, also told us about coming out at Pride.
“I came out to my friends and it turned out to be the best Pride ever. It’s actually my official gay anniversary. So I’ll never forget the time it came out because it will always be at Pride.”
Dave’s second favourite memory of Pride is more recent.
“There was a moment at Davina and Victoria’s show last year that was an absolute game changer. B*witched were the headline act.
“To see B*witched play C’est La Vie to a packed out room in Vicar Street full of gays. I’m not joking it transcended everything.”
