Local couple chosen as Grand Marshals will lead Pride parade in Tipperary
Ger and Stefano Sweetman have been chosen to lead the upcoming Clonmel Pride Festival, which will take place on July 19.
The organisers of this year's Clonmel Pride Festival have announced the names of their very important Grand Marshals for their upcoming parade in Tipperary.
In an announcement made on social media this week, Clonmel Pride shared the news that the Grand Marshals for Clonmel Pride Festival 2025 will be Gerard and Stefano Sweetman.
The Clonmel Pride Festival will take place on July 19 in the town, and all are welcome to attend this safe and inclusive event.
The organisers of the festival explained why they chose Ger and Stefano to lead the parade on the day:
"Ger and Stefano are founding members of Clonmel Community Pride which started in 2020. Since then they have been active community builders, supporting, organizing, and facilitating events for LGBTQ+ people in Clonmel. Ger acted as Clonmel Pride Chairperson until 2024, and has also worked with a wider scope working with LGBT Ireland promoting health and social care across the South East.
"Stefano is a community and lifestyle advocate after proudly stepping up as a participant on RTÉ's Operation Transformation.
"Ger and Stefano were personally affected by the Equal Marriage Act as they were legally not allowed to marry after their engagement in 2012.
"After campaigning for 'Yes', and waiting nervously for referendum results to come though, they were finally able celebrate their relationship like any other Irish couple would and married in 2018.
"This year we celebrate Ger, Stefano, and the 6000+ other same sex couples that have celebrated their marriage over the last ten years. As we look towards our future with optimism and hope: what can we do better in the next 10 years?"