As a massive gay myself, I was seriously excited to attend this years Pride Festival in Belfast. Spanning from Friday 27th July all the way to Saturday 4th August, Belfast Pride Festival 2012 is the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender festival in Ireland and this years was one of the biggest ever (it also ranks in the top ten largest pride parades in the UK).
According to the Pride Guide, Belfast Pride costs around £60,000 to run (raised by sponsors, advertising and donations), with around 6,000 hours of volunteer service.
Belfast Pride isn't all about being gay, it's about being proud of who you are, and there were tons of events and activities throughout the week to help keep you occupied. From the Out 'n' About Pride Walk, to the Lark in the Park, there was something for everyone. There was also a number of lectures and workshops, including the Amnesty Pride Lecture 2012 on The Dangerous World of Gay 'Cures' at the Europa Hotel and the LASI Confidence Building Workshop at the LASI Community Space.
On Saturday 4th August, the Pride Parade took place. The parade itself is the highlight of the Pride Festival and thousands took to the streets of Belfast to join in the fun. The Parade left Custom House Square at 12 noon and made its way through the streets, up past City Hall and then back to the Square. This year's theme was 'Pride at Sea', and everyone really camped it up by getting into the nautical spirit of things! We saw floats decorated like boats, with fish and octopi galore, we saw sailors and Navy men and to add to the stereotype: a hell of a lot of men with little puppies wearing real-people clothes. To be perfectly honest, no gay man or lesbian woman or transgender stereotype was left unfulfilled.
This year's Parade was top notch, lasting at least 40 minutes and as the sun shone on us, everyone could really feel the party atmosphere as the crowds, colour and noise passed us by. People from all walks of life participated, with political parties, charity groups and even the girls from Belfast Roller Derby dropping by!
Everyone really seemed to enjoy themselves and there was no trouble from what I could see (apart from the traditional religious groups who stand at city hall with their loudspeakers shouting damnation). But, let's face it, that's to be expected. Then, as the afternoon wore on, the crowds headed back to Custom House Square, where they filled the streets and even for five or ten minutes, stopped traffic as they crossed the road to the Albert Clock. After a few drinks outside McHughs, we headed inside Custom House Square for the 'Party in the Square' which ran from 11am to 7pm and had a variety of entertainment. The bill consisted of Kitty Brucknell, Tina Cousins, Ryan Jagger, Kezi Silverstone, Ryan John, Diva Dolls, Tommy Shots, Ajenda Mister Underground and much much more!
The Pride Festival was a really fun way to pass a week for young and old alike. It was a chance to meet new people, experience new things and when it comes down to it celebrate who we are and have a massive party in the sunshine. All in all, this seemed like a fantastic Pride Festival and we hope that next years will be even bigger, better and camper!
As a massive fan of Drew Barrymore's directorial debut: Whip It, I already knew more than most about the sport of Roller Derby. From what I'd seen on-screen it was rough, tough and didn't take itself too seriously, and on Saturday 28th July at the Valley Leisure Centre the Belfast Roller Derby did not disappoint.
This was BRD's Block and Roll All Nite and as we walked through the doors, it was clear that this was a professional operation, with a raffle, purple wrist-bands (our team colours were purple and green), a merch stall, a tuck shop (selling popcorn, candy floss and other treats) and an announcer to get the crowd going.
Tickets were £5 in advance or £7 at the door and under 10s got in for free.
The stalls were packed; the crowd was suitably rowdy as a result of a few beers being sneaked into the hall and spirits were high as they chanted and sang loud enough to compete with any football hooligans.
Then, shortly before 8pm the rules of the game were explained and any other questions were quickly answered by looking in the programme provided (which by the way, was extremely informative and professionally done - with player profiles, pictures of every player and diagrams to explain the rules).
For those who don't know, the basics look a little bit like this:
So it was the Belfast Banshees against the Parma Violents of Scotland, and right from when the first whistle was blown, the game was on. This is not a game for the feint hearted and these girls can really throw their weight around, with one of the opposing team having to leave in a stretcher (whilst the crowd applauded her effort). The jammers to watch from the Belfast Banshees were mcslay and Puscifer who literally skated rings around the Parma Violents while the crowd cheered on.
To be perfectly honest, it was obvious that the Banshees were miles ahead of the Parma Violents in both points and preparation, and at half time the score was 162 to us and 22 to them.
At half time we went and picked up some merch at the merch stand which was extremely well stocked with various colours and styles of t-shirts, bottle openers, headbands and laces and then there was a raffle drawn, with the top prize of a bottle of buckfast going to a rather appreciative member of the audience.
As the jams continued throughout the night it was clear that despite the show and bravado of the game, there is a lot to be said for team spirit and at the end, the other team was applauded, not boo'd. The game ended with the Belfast Banshees winning 251 points to 86, much to the crowd's delight.
The names where genius: Hannahbolic Steroids, Sigourney Cleaver and Finn McCruel being some of our favourites. And the referees get a special mention for their hilarious names such as: Jean Quad Grand Slam, Reff Goldblum and Quad's Law. The theme of the night was Kiss and the girls had dressed up for the occasion, with Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley-esque face paints to help them look the part. Overall, a night at the roller derby was a good one, tons of fun, loads of bruises and a fun-filled night of family entertainment. Also, for those who didn't want the party to end here, the afterparty was held in The Hudson Bar from 10pm with the Sabrejets playing (and entry was free with a BRD wristband).
According to the Pride Guide, Belfast Pride costs around £60,000 to run (raised by sponsors, advertising and donations), with around 6,000 hours of volunteer service. 
On Saturday 4th August, the Pride Parade took place. The parade itself is the highlight of the Pride Festival and thousands took to the streets of Belfast to join in the fun. The Parade left Custom House Square at 12 noon and made its way through the streets, up past City Hall and then back to the Square. This year's theme was 'Pride at Sea', and everyone really camped it up by getting into the nautical spirit of things! We saw floats decorated like boats, with fish and octopi galore, we saw sailors and Navy men and to add to the stereotype: a hell of a lot of men with little puppies wearing real-people clothes. To be perfectly honest, no gay man or lesbian woman or transgender stereotype was left unfulfilled. 
Everyone really seemed to enjoy themselves and there was no trouble from what I could see (apart from the traditional religious groups who stand at city hall with their loudspeakers shouting damnation). But, let's face it, that's to be expected.
