Bermuda Pride 2019 has officially launched, with Bermuda’s first ever LGBTQI+ Pride celebration set to take place on Saturday, August 31st under a theme of ‘We Belong’.
A spokesperson said, “Bermuda Pride 2019 has officially launched in Hamilton. Bermuda’s first ever LGBTQI+ Pride celebration will take place on Saturday, August 31st, 2019. Details of the events leading up to and following August 31stwill be posted on our website: www.bermudapride.net.
“Bermuda Pride 2019 is timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Stubbs’ Bill, which amended the country’s Criminal Code and partially decriminalized homosexuality. A major aim of the celebration is to mark the work of those that campaigned for decriminalization, including leaders who are no longer with us, such as Dr. John Stubbs, Dame Lois Browne-Evans and Mr. L. Frederick [Freddie] Wade.
“The inspiration for Bermuda Pride 2019 came from the ‘Beyond Homophobia Conference’ [www.beyondhomophobia.info], hosted by the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, in Jamaica earlier this year.
“A key lesson learned from that conference is that while Bermuda has made progress in securing a number of legal protections for lesbian and gay people, the island lags behind many countries in the Caribbean in terms of promoting and protecting the rights of trans people, as well as in raising the visibility of LGBTQI+ community generally.
“The organizers of Bermuda Pride 2019 believe there is much that can be learned from the common experiences of LGBTQI+ people in current and former British territories, particularly in relation to how homophobic colonial era laws have shaped expressions of LGBTQI+ identities in the region.
“In keeping with the theme of celebrating 25 years since the Stubbs Bill, the organizers will host a panel discussion on the eve of Pride entitled ‘Free to be Me’, which explores the LGBTQI+ experience across the English-speaking Caribbean.
“The event is produced in partnership with the Hamilton Princess Hotel, and will take place at the hotel on the Friday evening. Guest speakers, who will also join the Bermuda Pride celebrations the next day, are:
- Jaevion Nelson, Executive Director of J-FLAG, the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays;
- Ro-Ann Mohommad, Co-founder of B-GLAD, Barbados – Gays, Lesbians and All-Sexuals against Discrimination, and organizer of Barbados’ LGBTQI Pride;
- Rudolph [Rudy] Hanamji, Chair of Pride Trinidad & Tobago; and
- Dr. Natassia Rambarran, Public Health Advocate at SASOD, the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination in Guyana.
“Pride in the Park takes place at Victoria Park on Saturday, August 31st, beginning at 10:30am. It is designed to be a fun, family friendly event, and is open to anyone who believes in the inherent worth of all people, and wishes to celebrate Bermuda’s LGBTQI+ people in a positive and affirming space.
“A parade through the City of Hamilton will depart from and return to the park in the afternoon.
“Details of the parade route, panel discussion and other official Pride events can be found on the website. We encourage people to check the website often, as it will be updated to include information on official Bermuda Pride 2019 events, as well as partnered events, as those details become available.