2023
UCC announces Cork LGBT+ Pride events
- UCC is proud to be an official sponsor of Cork LGBT+ Pride Festival for second year.
- Events to celebrate LGBT+ pride, diversity, inclusivity, and activism.
- UCC to highlight the importance of allyship to actively advocate for LGBT+ community.
University College Cork (UCC) today announced events to celebrate Cork LGBT+ Pride 2023.
Celebrating the second year as an official sponsor of Cork LGBT+ Pride Festival, UCC will host a range of events including a Pride Tea Party, a Pride ‘Stride and Ride’ cycle and a screening of ‘The Quay Co-op’ documentary, celebrating an important hub for the development of Cork’s LGBTQ+ community and a base for social change activism.
The theme of Cork Pride this year is ‘30 Years On’, which marks the 30th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Ireland.
UCC President Professor John O’Halloran said: “UCC’s partnership with Cork LGBT+ Pride is very important to us and this year, we look forward to championing and supporting our LGBT+ community. At UCC, we are committed to ensuring that our campus is inclusive, where every member of our community can feel a sense of welcome and belonging. As Ireland marks 30 years of decriminalisation, there’s plenty to celebrate but there’s much more to be done to make Ireland a safe, better place for LGBT+ people.”
Dr Claire Murray, Interim Director of UCC’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Unit and UCC law lecturer, said: “With LGBT+ youth in Ireland and around the world increasingly experiencing bullying, isolation and low self-esteem, and recent attacks on LGBT+ events and materials in libraries, including here in Cork, it’s vital that we stand together to support and show solidarity with Cork’s LGBT+ community. This year, with events that celebrate ‘pride as protest’, we’re excited to bring our students, staff and wider community together to celebrate our differences and also firmly declare our shared intention to continue to demand LGBT+ rights and equality for all.”
Marking the opening of UCC’s Pride events, the Pride Tea Party on Monday, 31 July will invite people to come together to celebrate and showcase the importance of pride on campus. Led by the UCC Students’ Union, the ‘Find your Pride Pal’ initiative at the tea party will connect people who would like to take part in Pride events but might not have someone to share the experiences with yet.
Colm Foley, UCC Students’ Union President said: “Join us as we take the lead in UCC’s ‘Find your Pride Pal’ initiative this year. At UCC Students’ Union, our mission is to create a community where all students feel welcome, respected and valued. For those attending Pride for the first time, we extend a warm invitation to join our series of social events, including a poster-making session on Wednesday, 2nd August, and the Pride Parade breakfast on Sunday, 6th August, both held in the SU common room. These events will offer a chance to connect with others and get to know your very own ‘Pride Pal’.”
“Amidst the vibrant celebrations, however, it’s important to remember that pride is still very much a protest. Together, we will raise our voices to address the issues faced by LGBTQ+ students today, paving the way for a more inclusive and compassionate society,” Colm said.
All UCC students and staff are invited to march in the Pride Parade on Sunday, 6 August.
Across the week, events will highlight UCC’s Proud Student Ally Network and campaign. Led by the Graduate Attributes Programme, the campaign aims to educate and empower everyone to harness core attributes and values to become effective and proud allies to the LGBTQ+ community.
UCC Library is celebrating Cork Pride with a display of books, DVDs and other publications by and about the LGBT+ community, covering a range of works from academic, personal, fictional, and beyond. Students and staff are welcome to borrow any of the items on display. The exhibition will be running for the whole of the Cork Pride festival until August 6 on the ground floor of Boole Library.