The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Emer Costello, will launch the Dublin LGBTQ Pride Festival at 5.30 p.m. in the Atrium, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8. 

The annual Dublin LGBTQ Pride Festival, which runs for 10 days from Friday 19th June, comprises numerous fun and awareness raising events.  This Festival plays an important role in improving relations between the LGBTQ community and society at large.  The Festival culminates with a huge parade through the streets of Dublin.

Speaking at the launch the Lord Mayor said “I am delighted to launch the Dublin LGBTQ Pride Festival programme for 2009.  This is one of my first official functions as Lord Mayor of Dublin and, as I said in the Council Chamber on the night of my election, it is my intention to work towards making Dublin an inclusive City that cherishes the many diverse communities living within its boundaries.  I congratulate the organisers on a wonderful programme and I wish all participants well.”

ENDS

Notes To The Editor
 
This year's Festival theme "Pride and Prejudice?" celebrates pride in LGBTQ people and the LGBTQ community.  The festival will celebrate diversity and challenge peoples' perceptions of it. The theme this year will also formally introduce Dublin Pride's new Arts and Cultural committee to the festival.
 

For 26 years, Dublin Pride has led the annual celebration of gay life in Ireland. From modest beginnings, it has gone from a one-day event to a full-blown 10-day festival. This year there are ambitious plans to make Dublin LGBTQ Pride 2009 the most colourful and best Pride Festival EVER! With a more co-ordinated image, an expanded arts and cultural content, to the multiplicity of clubs and new club nights, Dublin’s scene will be alive and rocking for this unique annual festival event.