The island of Bermuda will be holding its first-ever Pride parade on 31 August later this year. The march was organised by Liz Christopher, David Northcott and Chen Foley and will be sponsored by the LGBTQ organisation, OutBermuda.
Speaking to The Royal Gazette, a spokesperson for the group said they were “proud” to be supporting the event. “There is an inherent value in a public celebration of our LGBTQ community in Bermuda as a reminder that we exist and that we are members of the Bermuda community,” they said.
“It is also a beacon of hope to LGBTQ youth and others who feel that they are alone. OutBermuda will continue to promote and support the wellbeing, health, dignity, security, safety and protection of the LGBTQ community in Bermuda, for as long as we are needed.”
Pro-marriage equality campaigners in Bermuda / © Tony Brannon via Instagram
Winston Godwin-DeRoche, who challenged the government’s ban on same-sex marriage also praised the event, saying the country would often “sweep things under the rug if they challenge the status quo.”
He them slammed the idea of a ‘Straight Pride’ saying: “People argue why isn’t there a straight Pride, and I say, really, be thankful you don’t need one.
“Pride originated from Stonewall and the LGBTQ community fighting back and resisting police because they’d had enough. Pride has now become a celebration of that and remembering what it took to get where we are now. We are still fighting for equality in Bermuda.”
Mark Anderson, an openly gay comedian from the country praised the event, saying: “I think this is the right timing for it. Now Bermuda is going to be put on the map with all the other jurisdictions around the world — it will be recognised that Bermuda is joining the world in taking a stance with gay pride.
“I would like to see every Bermudian living abroad make a great effort in coming home and supporting this parade and if they do, be sure to put it on their immigration slip.”
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