Pride of the Déise 2024: 'Those kids would run the world'
Pride Youth Committee
The Pride of the Déise Youth Committee has organised a range of youth-led events catering to 10-24 year olds across three age groups for this year’s festival.
The fifteen youth committee members have created their very own programme, which includes a 70s-themed silent disco, Queer Film Screenings and the annual Sunday Youth Takeover Party.
Tia Weldon, Pride of the Déise Youth Committee Member commented on the work that the Youth members have done in the build up to the week long festival, saying:
"I love that our festival has improved so much in the past few years to represent the interests and passions of young people in the community. From performances, information, and the opportunity to be creative, Pride of the Deise has grown rapidly since the digital era of Covid-19."
Youth Committee Member, Adam Pidgeon added, “I've been in the youth committee since its formation and I love how it gives space for young people to take part in pride activities, as a lot of pride events often involve alcohol. It's just been amazing to help make an event that helps a lot of young queer people be themselves.” Speaking on the importance of getting young people involved in creating their own programming, Amy O’Riordan, Chairperson of the Pride of the Déise Committee said:
“That’s what’s unique with our festival, because sometimes youth events can be an afterthought, but with us its very much a central part of our programming and it’s something where we give control to them to create and control their own Pride. The youth committee do all their own work, and to have that agency and not be prescribed by the senior committee is really important."
“Everything from programming, social media posts, what performers they want and theme, they do it all themselves. This year for example they chose to do a nineties themed party and they’re organizing the playlist and decorations independently."
Amy adds that these experiences have far-reaching benefits for the younger members.
“They learn how to do so much. They get the experience of being on a committee, how it works, and the work that goes into it. They get to see behind the curtain, and they grow a deeper appreciation for the festival as a whole when they see how much work goes into it."
"It gives them so much confidence. That’s what young people want, they don’t want to be prescribed what to do or have their hand held all the time. Those kids would run the world."
Collette Rockett Dalgarno, Senior Committee Members added, “It’s a really good opportunity for the youth to see what they can be and what they can achieve. This is why Pride is so important.
“Within our community, on the one hand I’m looking at amazing young people with so much self-agency, and on the other hand I’m looking at adults who are beginning to bloom because of the opportunity they have been given here. So it’s really nice to see what Pride can do for people of all ages.
