Dublin Pride 2019

Once more a happy Pride Month to everyone under the rainbow. For the second time this month I returned to the capital, this time for Ireland’s biggest Pride parade. This was my first time at Dublin Pride having attended Cork Pride for the last two years. Being part of this community has helped me to meet some of my dearest friends and I feel have grown as a person.

But this isn’t about my little story, this is about the event that celebrates everyone’s. The spirit of the day was alive even on the train to Dublin as I met fellow pride-bound passengers, some wearing colorful clothes and make-up (I felt rather unspectacular in my blue waistcoat and shirt-it’s called casual formal). Upon arrival I saw more people sporting the rainbow colors, in fact there seemed to be rainbows at every turn as I made my way into city centre aboard a crowded Luas. The city was alive with people flying their flags; trans pride, bi pride, allies, there are so many different flags I don’t know them all by heart yet-I’m a literature scholar not a vexillologist (look it up). I knew it would be a great experience and part of me wishes I could have stayed longer than a day, but I soaked in as much of the atmosphere as I could. An atmosphere of unity, acceptance, self-expression and individuality. The effort some people put into outfits and costumes for the day is truly amazing. In one day I felt outdone both as a lover of individual style and as a cosplayer.

I concluded my day by following the procession as far as Merrion square, home of the statue of Oscar Wilde (very fitting location Pride) and then made my back to the city, amid crowds of rainbow-clad revellers for a bite to eat and a nose around a book shop (I can never resist, even during a celebration) before heading back to catch my train. First Dublin Pride enjoyed, here’s to many more in the years to come, while at the same time living everyday proud of who we are. Best summed up in this quote from one of my favourite TV shows:

“Every time someone steps up and says who they are, the world becomes a better, more interesting place.”-Captain Holt, Brooklyn 99, season 5 ep. 10

Featured image: Bisexuality Pride flag