‘It seems like Pride is only for white, settled, rich Irish gays’ – Why Dublin’s alternative Pride event is taking place

It's Dublin Pride week and the capital is awash with rainbow-coloured flags and bunting.

But one group of LGBTQ+ activists is distancing itself from the main celebration. Queer Action Ireland is holding an alternative Pride event in Dublin city centre this Saturday - the same day as the official Pride march. "Bring your banners, and let's recapture the spirit of Pride in all its glory," reads an official statement from the group. QAI cannot "consciously take part" in Dublin Pride, it says, because uniformed Gardaí will for the first time be participating. "We’d view them very much as a weapon designed for keeping us down, for keeping down dissent," a group spokesperson told Her. But the gathering is a response to more than just the official Garda involvement. It's been a long time coming as state, political party and brand involvement in Pride has grown, the spokesperson says. [caption id="attachment_470404" align="alignnone" width="594"] Former Tánaiste and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald and garda Sarah O'Neill at Dublin Pride in 2017.[/caption] "It’s not helpful to have the LGBTQ+ aspects of us extracted - we also experience other things," she explains.

"We’re workers who are being exploited by the anti-union corporations who turn up at Pride. "We also suffer homelessness and housing difficulties as a direct result of the policies of the government. "If you walk into any hospital you can see the prioritising of capital over our healthcare and our lives. LGBTQ+ people are dying on waiting lists, just like everyone else. "From where we’re standing, that’s not criteria for Pride participation. "It seems like the criteria [for Pride] now only involves white, settled, rich Irish gays."

"An end to symbolism and hypocrisy"

This anti-establishment, anti-police attitude reflects Pride's beginnings during the Stonewall Riots some 50 years ago when LGBTQ+ people fought back against a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a New York City gay bar. 'Pride Alternative', it would appear, harks back to one of Pride's original purposes - championing outsiders. The response to the event, QAI's spokeswoman tells us, has been "phenomenal." "It speaks to an appetite that’s out there amongst the younger generation who have good instincts and are refusing to associate with in Pride in its current manifestation. [caption id="attachment_470405" align="alignnone" width="594"] Crowds attempt to stop police raiding the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York City in June 1969.[/caption] There's a definite divide in the LGBTQ+ community right now, she continues.

"The split is on grounds of age, definitely on grounds of class and of privilege, because a lot of people are being marginalised. "There will be those who will be less affected by the housing crisis, those who own property or who are well off, in good jobs, with private health insurance. They may not have the same experiences [as other LGBTQ+ people]."

QAI's event kicks off on Rosie Hackett Bridge at 12pm this Saturday, an hour before the main Pride parade begins - but the group says it's not calling for a boycott. It understands that there are many reasons why people are participating in Pride and says that many aren't aware of QAI's concerns. "We’d encourage them to read up, to think about those involved in Pride and how they affect other people because we need solidarity," the spokesperson tells us. "We need to put an end to symbolism and hypocrisy and we need to take as many people with us as we can." In response, Dublin Pride says that it is "delighted" that Pride Alternative is being held in the city. "We think it's fantastic," its chairperson Clodagh Leonard tells Her.

"We by no means own the concept of Pride so we think it's great that others are getting involved. "Anybody who is going out there and having their voices heard on Saturday; it's something to be proud of."

  Find out more about Pride Alternative and how you can get involved on the Facebook page here or by following Queer Action Ireland here.