Pride, Politics, and the Right to Perform

Abstract

Following the annual Dublin Pride parade on June 27, 2009, certain voices within the Irish media heavily criticized the performance of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer (LGBTQ) community involved. In particular, writing for the Sunday Times, journalist and barrister Brenda Power used the occasion to argue against the provision of marital and adoptive rights to same-sex couples, following the publication of the government’s proposed Civil Partnership Bill the previous month.¹ The debates that subsequently played across radio stations, newspapers, blogs, and social networking sites, in addition to the demonstrations that took place on the streets, were not only sparked off by a mass cultural performance, but they also followed a week of theater and performance events programmed by Calipo and THISISPOPBABY theater companies as part of the extended Pride festival. Although Civil Partnership legislation would eventually take effect in Ireland in 2011, this critical, contentious turning point provides an opportunity for reflecting upon the relationship among LGBTQ people, politics, and performance in contemporary Ireland.