It’s a riot of rainbows and laughter from all generations and don’t let its size fool you (Picture: Jersey Pride)
Jersey is a slightly confusing, split-personality kind of place. While driving – on the left – from the airport to the capital St Helier, the houses look like those you’d find in any British town.
Then you’re sitting outside the Cock & Bottle – which comes over as very English – in a square that could easily be in Normandy. Which is only 14 miles away, after all.
A French food market with all the meats and cheeses is there and a big branch of Boots just beyond it. Then you charge your phone but it’s a French socket. And then there’s an English one over there.
The Pride celebrations begin in People’s Park (Picture: Jersey Pride)
The vibe, though, is predominantly British, from the rugged coastline, Elizabeth Castle – where Charles II holed up during the Civil War – to, possibly somewhere, local hero and actor Henry Cavill.
I was in Jersey – the largest of the Channel Islands – to celebrate Pride. Each year, Jersey and Guernsey take turns in hosting the festivities, organised by each island’s branch of Liberate, the equality and diversity charity.
While the Channel Islands have a combined population of around just 170,000 (to put that into context, there are 9.7million people in London), the LGBTQ+ celebrations may be on a smaller scale – but they’re just as joyful.
As a seasoned Pride go-er I have travelled far and wide to celebrate with my community. I never miss London and Manchester, and over the years I’ve celebrated in LA, Toronto, Stockholm and Sydney – to name just a few. I couldn’t wait to see what this quirky little island had on offer.
Everyone is welcome (Picture: Jersey Pride)
Our party starts as soon as we sail over. We join Pride celebrations in People’s Park, which is like a village fete in rainbow colours. There’s a bit of a funfair, bars and food trucks, a stage with local talent turning out disco covers of Upside Down and Best Of My Love and a big area for children.
It’s clear that there aren’t enough LGBTQ+ people to go round on Jersey, and many of these lovely rainbowed-up folk are straight families who have come along for the ride.
And they’re welcome. It’s great to see a generation of tiny tots for whom girls smooching and men in short shorts with showgirls head-dresses are part of a good day out.
That night everyone lets loose at the Pride after-party in the Drift bar at the Royal Yacht Hotel on St Helier’s main square – which isn’t very main.
Dressed up to the nines, tens and beyond, under a neon sign that states ‘A Little Party Never Killed Nobody’, imported drag queens come out to entertain, insult, dazzle and disturb – in equal measure.
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Source:: Metro
