One of outgoing Limerick mayor's last acts is to raise Pride flag

Jim Lawless, outgoing mayor, Gerard Mitchell, Lisa Daly, festival director Limerick Pride and Richard Lynch at the flag raising ceremony at City Hall I Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

placeholder image — Jim Lawless, outgoing mayor, Gerard Mitchell, Lisa Daly, festival director Limerick Pride and Richard Lynch at the flag raising ceremony at City Hall I Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

Limerick Pride flag includes the intersex symbol for the first time

THE LIMERICK LGBTQIA+ Pride committee has thanked Limerick City and County Council and outgoing mayor, Gerald Mitchell for raising the 2024 Pride flag at City Hall, in one of his last acts as the first citizen.

This year's Limerick Pride Festival takes place from July 8 to 14 under the theme of "I Am What I Am". It will celebrate the solidarity and inclusivity within the community.

Speaking at the flag raising ceremony, Mr Mitchell said: “It's very important to honour the diversity and culture here today and I'm delighted to be here to be part of raising the flag for Limerick Pride.”

Lisa Daly, festival director of Limerick Pride, spoke of the incredible effort made by the committee in bringing the week-long festival to Limerick.

“I'd like people to acknowledge the hard work that goes on, not just from the committee members, but the whole community to pull together to make the festival happen, that's what really matters," she said.

This year marks a special milestone as the Limerick Pride flag includes the intersex symbol for the first time.

“This is the first time it will include intersex and the first time it'll ever be flown over Limerick," said Lisa.

The theme, “I Am What I Am” resonates deeply with the community, she explained.

“Our theme this year for Pride is ‘I Am What I Am’ and it's inclusive, we want everyone to come out and show solidarity this year for the parade on July 13.”

"With the way our whole community represents everything, it's obviously a song that every gay knows and the amount of questions that people are getting about 'what are you?' and all that, simply put, 'I am what I am'. I am human, end of.

"We're all someone's brother, sister, daughter and that's the end of it. Love is love. There's nothing else that can really be said," said the festival director.

Lisa explained that Mr Mitchell has been a strong advocate for inclusivity during his term as mayor.

“Myself and Ger met at my first ever Pride launch. Ger stepped in as the deputy mayor at the time, and it was the first time we ever met.

"When he became mayor, he asked, 'Was that girl still involved with Limerick Pride?' And he attended Limerick Pride last year. We hung out for the whole day, and that's not something that happens, so I'll always respect that out of Ger," said Lisa.

As the flag was raised, there was a round of applause, with Richard Lynch from I Love Limerick noting, “This is our Limerick Pride flag, and this year it's a special flag. It incorporates intersex, LGBTQIA into our flag”.

Limerick Pride 2024 promises a vibrant celebration with events kicking off on July 8th and culminating in the parade on Saturday, July 13, where thousands will show their support for the community.

For more information, visit LimerickPride.ie and use the hashtag #LimerickPride2024