Praise for Pride event

Ministers have praised Jersey’s Youth Service and Liberate, the Channel Islands’ equality and diversity charity for hosting a ‘successful’ Jersey Virtual Pride 2020.

Hundreds logged onto Jersey Virtual Pride 2020 to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community on Saturday.

The online event was organised by ten young Islanders from Jersey Youth Service LGBTQ youth project and featured local music acts and comperes.

In a statement, Education Minister Senator Tracey Vallois, Children’s Minister Senator Sam Mézec and Assistant Minister Deputy Jeremy Maçon said: "We would like to express our thanks and gratitude to all those who organised Jersey Virtual Pride 2020. Pride is such an integral date on the LGBTQ+ community’s calendar so we were delighted that Islanders were still able to take part this year.

"We are proud of the young people who organised this sucessful and spectacular virtual party so Islanders could still mark this important annual event. Pride plays an important part in celebrating diversity, remembering how far LGBTQ+ rights have come as well as the work which is still needed to ensure that all members of our community are treated equally."

Mark Capern, Principal Youth Officer said: "On Saturday afternoon, nine of the young people who attend the Youth Services LGBTQ youth project and many of our youth work staff came together to watch the film and celebrate Pride.

"Well done to all the young people, supported by David Bras, the Youth Service lead for LGBTQ Youth Jersey and the team of youth workers. They all worked in a creative way and developed an online party that was awesome. A big thank you to all that contributed by sending in video clips and played music throughout the day.

"I was privileged to spend the afternoon with the young people involved. The smiles on the young people as they left the venue was a pleasure to see.

"The Youth Service set up LGBTQ Youth Jersey following the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry when we were looking at gaps in services for children and young people and this is a true success story."

You can watch the video which is available to view on Jersey Youth Service YouTube channel.