The 29th Dublin Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender & Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Festival begins on Friday night, with Kelis, Niamh Kavanagh, Crystal Swing and Royseven among the acts appearing over the next 10 days.
Kelis will play at The George on Thursday 23 June (tickets €15), with Royseven playing the opening night party at the Dublin pub on Friday 17 June (tickets €5) and Niamh Kavanagh and Crystal Swing among the acts at the Post Parade Party on Saturday 25 June.
Among the free events at this year's festival are the Walking Tour of Historic Gay Dublin (Saturday 18 June - Merrion Square, 2pm); Family Day, Sports Day and Dog Show (Sunday 19 June - Ringsend Park, 2pm to 6pm); Géili (Thursday 22 June - The Front Lounge, 8pm); Pride Parade (Saturday 25 June - Parnell Square, 2pm) and the Post Parade Party (Saturday 25 June - DCC Amphitheatre, 3pm to 5.30pm).
Oisín O'Reilly, Dublin LGBTQ Pride Festival Chairperson, said: "This year, after the Civil Partnership Act and increasing acceptance of LGBTQ people, we hope that even more people, regardless of their sexuality, will celebrate diversity and campaign for full equality by attending the festival.
"The Dublin Pride Festival is a creative and fun festival that anyone can enjoy!
"The Theme of Dublin Pride 2011 is 'It's a Human Thing', LGBTQ people are human beings first and foremost and should be valued and treated equally.
"Our aim is to include people who are on the fringes of LGBTQ society in the community, increase the visibility of the LGBTQ community in Ireland and promote mutual respect and equality between all people."
For more, visit: www.dublinpride.ie.
