Kerry Pride Tralee, Co. Kerry May 25th 2013 pic Martine Brennan
An historic event took place in my home town, Tralee on May 25th 2013.
The first ever Kerry Pride Festival was held.
A small group of brave gay people, their families and friends took to the streets.
At first, they looked solemn and scared.
But as applause and cheers broke out among the witnesses, the marchers began to walk taller.
They began to smile and wave.
They were accompanied by the sound of drums.
The beat rippled through the streets.
Some of the witnesses began to move in time to the proud sound.
An air of quiet celebration spread out and touched the hearts of many.
A few faces were confused, some uncomfortable.
But there were many heartfelt smiles.
In a county that has twice the national average of suicides among the young, I hope with all my heart that this Kerry Pride Festival will open the hearts and minds of my community, and make it a safer place for all our children to grow up in.
And if you were there, I was the grey haired woman in the red coat clapping and cheering and smiling fit to burst.... because I never thought I'd see the day.
The first ever Kerry Pride Festival was held.
A small group of brave gay people, their families and friends took to the streets.
At first, they looked solemn and scared.
But as applause and cheers broke out among the witnesses, the marchers began to walk taller.
They began to smile and wave.
They were accompanied by the sound of drums.
The beat rippled through the streets.
Some of the witnesses began to move in time to the proud sound.
An air of quiet celebration spread out and touched the hearts of many.
A few faces were confused, some uncomfortable.
But there were many heartfelt smiles.
In a county that has twice the national average of suicides among the young, I hope with all my heart that this Kerry Pride Festival will open the hearts and minds of my community, and make it a safer place for all our children to grow up in.
And if you were there, I was the grey haired woman in the red coat clapping and cheering and smiling fit to burst.... because I never thought I'd see the day.
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