Channel Islands Pride is back in Guernsey for 2024, and this year we're making history with what is believed to be the first-ever marriage at Pride.
Our Islands are a safe and inclusive space where different communities are celebrated and people can be proud to express their authentic selves.
Our unique and inclusive marriage laws allow couples to be legally married anywhere on the Island, from clifftops with a view, to character-filled buildings. You can even get married in our airspace or on our territorial waters, which makes Guernsey a versatile and popular wedding destination for locals and visitors alike.
At this year's Channel Islands Pride in Guernsey, Liberate CEO and CI Pride Director Ellie Jones, a registered Queerly Beloved celebrant, is set to marry one lucky couple on the Pride main stage on Saturday 7 September.
“I am super honoured to be officiating what we believe to be the first-ever legal wedding on a Pride stage," she said.
"Our Pride Brides are definitely going to have one heck of a wedding party!”
Channel Islands Pride is Guernsey's biggest free-of-charge community event. Born out of a protest for same sex marriage laws to be introduced, Channel Islands Pride was first held in Jersey in 2015 and alternates between Guernsey and Jersey each year.
This year, it takes place in Guernsey from Friday 6 September through the weekend, with many exciting spectacles and events.
CI Pride is a free event but tickets for the surrounding events are available here. Tickets and merchandise will also be available at the Pride OSA Pop-Up Shop in Smith Street during the week commencing 2 September.
Friday 6 September
7.30pm - Infamous Drag Bingo at The Peninsula
The Channel Islands Infamous Drag Bingo will kick off proceedings, featuring some of the best Queens in the British Isles, from Mercedes Bends, Paige Three, Miss Leigh Ding, and (Guernsey's very own) Monroe.
We've been told to expect fabulous Drag, electrifying performances and dazzling Lip Syncs.
Tickets cost between £20.00 - £35.00 (plus booking fee).
Saturday 7 September
1pm - Pre-Pride gathering at Candie Gardens
Enjoy lots of entertainment and stalls, plus a chance to catch up with friends.
4pm - Pride Parade
The colourful parade begins in Candie Gardens and wanders down through St Peter Port High Street to the Market Square, where the party begins. Join thousands in this show of solidarity.
5pm - Pride Party @ Market Square
Market Square will be split into different zones including the Main Stage, the Family Zone, the Silent Disco, the Alternative and Cabaret Stage, and the Quiet Zone.
The Main Stage will feature all the headline acts from Tia Kofi, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World, the Jersey Ballet (also known as Ballet D'Jerri) and even a wedding.
For younger pride-goers and their families, the free Family Zone offers music, crafts, art, virtual reality games, storytelling, festival hair, henna and glitter stations, photo booths and various other activities. The zone will also include performances from Drag Queen Story Hour UK, Guernsey Bubbles and the Cheshire Performing Arts Pride Choir.
The silent disco (music is played through headphones rather than a speaker system) can be found in the Inner Market Square where you can dance to a curated Pride playlist.
Outside the Golden Lion, at the end of Market Street, you can find the Alternative and Cabaret Stage. There you can find singers, poetry, drag and spoken word.
The Quiet Zone is situated in the Chamber of Commerce and is a safe place where neurodivergent individuals or people who find crowds overwhelming can find respite. Earplugs and ear defenders are available from this location.
9pm - Official Afterparty at Canvas Nightclub
Following the celebrations in Market Square, head to Canvas for a night of fantastic music and entertainment.
The afterparty will be headlined by Russell Small of the Freemasons, who is known for their chart-topping hits and electrifying remixes.
DJ Craig Law will also be delivering a set of his signature sound and infectious energy sure to get people on the dance floor.
Liberate has also confirmed that Tia Kofi and all the drag queens from Drag Bingo will be performing too.
Tickets cost between £20.00 - £35.00 (plus booking fee)
Sunday 8 September
2pm - Sundowner BBQ at The Peninsula
Finish the weekend with a relaxing Sunday Sundowner BBQ at the Peninsular Hotel, near Rousse Headland.
Find a spot on the lawn with a view, and wind down with relaxing beats from DJ Craig Law, together with a mouth-watering BBQ feast served by the Peninsula's expert chefs.
Tickets are £10.00 (plus booking fee)
Get to know the facts
LGBTQIA+ rights on Guernsey have improved greatly over the last few decades, with some major milestones being:
- Homosexuality was decriminalised in Guernsey in 1984.
- Transgender people have been allowed to legally change their gender since 2007.
- Adoption for same-sex couples was legalised in April 2017.
- Same-sex marriage was legalised on 2 May 2017 in Guernsey, 14 June 2018 in Alderney and 11 March 2020 in Sark.
- Discrimination based on sexual orientation was outlawed in 2023 with gender identity following in the next phase of the anti-discrimination legislation (estimated to be in 2025).
We are proud to celebrate the different communities, cultures and beliefs that make up the Islands of Guernsey.
For more info on the event, visit channelislandspride.org
