Planning and fundraising is in full swing for the first Mayo Pride which will take place from July 21 to 23. Taking the lead on this event is Cathy Blake, the current chairperson of OutWest, an LGBT+ social and support group based in the west of Ireland. “OutWest will be 20 years old this year and what more a fitting tribute to its founder members than being part of the first ever Mayo Pride,” said Cathy.
With an official launch party taking place on the Friday, a vibrant and unique parade followed by family events and the main party on the Saturday, and closing with a relaxing chilled out Sunday, this first for Mayo promises to be celebrate all that the county has to offer.
A group of volunteers from OutWest, LGBT+ Equality Mayo and the Galway Pride committee are meeting monthly to organise Mayo Pride and everyone is welcome to attend. The dates of the meetings are available on its website, www.mayopride.com “It’s not just about meeting new faces but getting new ideas to help make this event the success it can be,” said Martin Hughes, secretary to the new group. The festival will also be looking for volunteer marshals for the events and details can be found on its website.
The next planning meeting is on Wednesday February 15 at Le Chéile Family Resource Centre in Castlebar at 8pm, and if you would like to have say in what happens with Mayo Pride why not go along. A week later on Thursday, February 23, is the first official fundraiser which is a table quiz at the Connaught at 8pm. It costs €10 per person with four to a team and prizes for the winners as well as raffle. All proceeds from this and any fundraiser will go towards organising Mayo Pride. For more information see the website www.mayopride.com or the Facebook page www.facebook.com/mayopride
