EDDIE McGUINNESS ON DIGITAL PRIDE

EDDIE MCGUINNESS CHATS TO OLIVIA RYAN ABOUT CO-HOSTING THE FIRST DIGITAL DUBLIN PRIDE AMID THE COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

SO MUCH has changed since the 2015 Marriage Referendum, yet there is still a long way to go for the LGBTQ+ community, says Dundalk man Eddie McGuinness.

Having co-hosted and produced one of the biggest digital ‘Pride’ events in the world last week, he said the success was marred somewhat by homophobic comments aimed at performers.

‘ With the Covid restrictions this year, we were obviously not able to host the incredible parade and festival that has become a huge annual celebration,’ said Eddie.

In the run up to St. Patrick’s Day, it was ‘ becoming clear’, he adds, that major events were going to be called off for many months as the Coronavirus pandemic swept the globe.

‘ We had initially hoped that Pride could be moved to September, but once the government announced the first restrictions in March, we made the difficult decision to cancel it this year.’

‘But we put a lot of work into making the 2020 something to be proud of. We were one of the first in the world to announce such a major event in the Digital Dublin Pride Festival, which featured a fully interactive virtual Pride Parade and a Pride Concert.’

Although the sea of colour which washes over the centre of Dublin wasn’t to be, Eddie added they had a small number of performers carry the Pride flag through O’Connell Street.

‘Unfortunately some of our performers were verbally abused, facing homophobic and transphobic slurs.’

Such incidents are still ‘not uncommon’ adds Eddie, and highlight that despite the huge progress made in Ireland in achieving equal rights for the LGBTQ+ people, there is still ‘a long way to go.’

But there was much to celebrate still, he insists, with buildings lit up for Pride, and flags flying high across the city.

‘Our community was still there to celebrate, and support each other. Pride wasn’t cancelled this year, we just brought it home.’

The innovative Dublin parade made headlines across the world, being covered in Forbes magazine, in a review of Pride events

Eddie’s passion and energy for the event is in many ways what sustained him throughout the Covid lockdown, during which he quips: ‘I didn’t have a moment!’

‘I never stopped really, it was such a busy time, as there was so much planning to do for the festival.’

He also continued to work from home for the PR company which he founded in 2012

As CEO, his company bio describes him as ‘a creative and dynamic self-starter. Always on the go and brimming with new ideas,’ skills which he brought to life during the lockdown, when was involved in organising ‘ balcony bingo’ for residents of the Ivy Trust, where he lives.

One of Ireland’s oldest housing settings, it is a close knit community, he adds, where neighbours took part in the bingo sessions to raise money for charity.

‘It was something which kept us all going throughout the lockdown, some fun, and interaction with others, which I know was hugely important for people living on their own in particular.’

Their endeavours saw almost €20,000 raised for a number of different charities.

It was that same community spirit which united the Pride movement during these last few difficult months.

The theme of the 2020 festival was ‘In This Together’, which Eddie says showed that, despite not being able to don the capital with technicolour flags and exuberant costumes, ‘didn’t stop us all coming together to support our community.’

The spirit of support stretches out across the country, he adds, to all towns and cities where Pride was not able to be held in its usual way.

‘I haven’t missed Dundalk Pride for years! It is also one of the few times I get a chance to get back home throughout the year, so I always look forward to it.’

‘It is normally held shortly after Dublin is launched, and I know this year they have been working on an exciting virtual event.’

The work done by LGBTQ+ groups across the country is ‘ hugely important’ said Eddie, providing a local support network for members of the community, and also in hosting Pride events, which are more accessible for people living in the area.

‘I just want to say that Bernie (Quinn) from Dundalk Outcomers has been a true hero, the work she has done over the years has been phenomenal.’

He adds that although ‘Pride’ events are the pinnacle of the community’s work every year, ‘it is so important to remember that this is a 365 day a year movement, our work goes on every day.’

‘ We are a global community, working for the rights of LGBTQ+ throughout the world, this work must continue as despite the progress made in Ireland, there are some countries where same sex relationships are still illegal.’

Looking back, he describes 2015 as a landmark year in which the Marriage referendum was passed with a resounding ‘ Yes’ vote by the people of Ireland.

But the hard fought, and high profile campaign was, he insists, ‘simply about giving all members of every family the same opportunities.’

‘It really came down to that in the end, the equal rights for everyone, no matter who they chose to love.’

He highlights how without marriage equality committed partners weren’t able to legally call their home, a ‘ home’, but rather a ‘co-habiting space’, something which he says was ‘incredibly hurtful.’

‘ This is just one of the very many ways in which Civil Partnerships were not the same as marriage, no matter what anyone said. They were simply a half measure.’

The referendum was a landmark in Eddie’s own life too, as following that wave of celebrations, he married his long time partner, John Ward, who he can now proudly call ‘ husband.’

The couple held their wedding in Ireland, and he speaks with joy, and sadness that his mum, who has since passed, was there to watch him marry the man he loves.

‘ That’s all any of us really want isn’t it? To be able to celebrate our wedding day, with our family and friends.’

As lockdown measures continue to ease, Eddie adds that he hopes to ‘get a well earned rest’ after what has been a hectic few months.

‘I missed a lot of the fantastic weather we had in April and May, so I’m hoping for a sunnier July, and a chance to recharge the batteries over the next few weeks.

Although he is not able to take part in a physical Dundalk parade this year, he sends his support to the local organisers for the 2020 virtual festival.

Dundalk Outcomers confirmed they are moving to a ‘virtual pride’ this year and will stream a video on the day to mark the occasion.

In order to make it as colourful and wonderful as it has been every year, they are appealing for supporters near and far to send in a video of them saying Happy Dundalk Pride 2020!

‘Feel free to wave a flag, wear a rainbow hat, whatever way you want to add colour to your video!’

*Send the videos to Dundalk Pride on whatsapp (0861625030) so that they can include them in the virtual celebrations.