Pride House For Island Games

Thursday, 22 June 2023 09:30

July's Island Games in Guernsey will have a Pride House for the LGBTQIA+ community.

The Pride House will be in Market Buildings in St Peter Port and will act as an area for LGBTQ+ athletes and spectators to enjoy the week's events.

It has been set up by Liberate, an equality charity whose mission is to support those who identify with a minority group living in the Channel Islands.

CEO Ellie Jones says they are proud to be able provide an inclusive area for the games.

"We are creating a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community to experience the games by watching live streaming of events, but we aim to be so much more than that.

Across the globe, people do not have the same rights as we do have here in Guernsey, so for some, actually, this could be the one place where they can be themselves whilst visiting our island."

The first Pride House was set up in Vancouver in 2010 during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Since 2010, houses have been established at worldwide events, such as the Commonwealth Games, European Championships and the Women's World Cup.

Lunchtime talks will be held at the Pride House, with guest speakers sharing stories of their time in sports.

"We are very lucky to have Gold and Silver Paralympian, Simon Laurens, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, who will be sharing his experiences of competing at the highest level and a fireside chat with Blake Wilcocks, a local, trans athlete."

The Pride House will also be holding its own 'Gay Games', giving out medals and trophies to people competing in different challenges.

LGBTQIA+ islanders and visitors can take part in a wide variety of after-games events too.

Liberate have set up LipSync and Kampioke, live music from the community's artists and the Big Gay Island Games Quiz of the Queer.

The week ends with a closing party on 14 July from 7pm.