The Importance of Rural LGBTQIA+ Pride
As Wexford Pride, through all of our community work, we strive to stay true to the origins of the Pride movement – acceptance, inclusion, amplifying marginalized voices, embracing diversity and fighting for social change for LGBTQIA+ people to live authentically and free from oppression. This includes working in solidarity with organisations who share those same values, building and maintaining connections, and raising awareness of local movements fighting for a better world for all.
Having local Pride communities in rural areas that enthusiastically embrace newcomers is paramount to the wellbeing of many LGBTQIA+ people and the wider community at large – a place where you are celebrated for and encouraged to be your authentic self.
We at Wexford Pride aim to organise and respond to our communities’ needs, we have several regular clubs and social meet-ups that came about from listening to the needs of our community, and we are always looking for ways to further support each other and ensure that everyone feels welcome.
With growing transphobia and homophobia seen globally, it is a privilege and a responsibility to remind everyone that LGBTQIA+ people are here, proud, and always will be here. We must remember and honour the work of activists who came before us, who got us to the point we are at today, and continue to advocate for each other in whatever way we can – show up for each other, engage in community groups, protest, attend clubs, platform causes in online spaces, or meet up for coffee. All of it furthers our connection with the community, and ourselves!
Our yearly Pride Inside event is a testament to our values at Wexford Pride and the wider community at large, inclusivity, accessibility for all, and spreading queer joy.
“As Pride celebrations continue throughout the country across the summer, rural pride celebrations provide a vital outlet for LGBTQIA+ people living beyond large cities and urban areas. For many, it may be their first time to express themselves in a safe space surrounded by other queer people.
It represents more than a fun day out but a crucial lifeline for solidarity, friendship and community building which is often inaccessible living in rural-urban areas. It is so important that these efforts are supported and translated into meaningful change, where people from marginalized communities are recognised, valued and included as part of the fabric of their community.”
We would encourage you to check out the 2026 Pride dates around Ireland post that Tully Crafts has made and attend your local Pride celebrations 🏳️🌈
We have truly grown in leaps and bounds from our beginnings, from a community picnic to now collaborating with the Wexford Arts Centre to bring our community and allies a day full of music, handcrafted goods, friendship and solidarity with organisations who are fighting for change!
We at Wexford Pride would like to thank all of those, in-community and our allies, who attended Pride Inside 2026.
How to Support Wexford Pride
Wexford Pride is a voluntary community organisation led by and for the LGBTQIA+ community in Co. Wexford. We do not receive annual funding from corporate or political bodies, this supports our ability to ensure the integrity of our work in line with our values and principles. As such, we rely on voluntary work and donations to support our work. This includes annual events like Pride Inside and weekly community initiatives including community group spaces and our website. If you would like to support our work you can now donate by visiting https://wexfordpride.ie/donate.
Feedback Survey
As Pride Inside grows, we are always looking for ways to improve the experience of our community and allies every year.
If you attended this year’s event, we want to hear from you! You can fill out our short Pride Inside 2026 feedback survey through this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc5XdGYJPIlQAKuVZoSfAB-FsY9Rc_tE3LkMD-bbF6slQw0Ew/viewform?usp=dialog
All feedback is anonymous and will only be used for the purpose of reviewing and improving future Wexford Pride events and community spaces.
Keep up to Date
You can keep up to date by signing up to our monthly newsletter via our website wexfordpride.ie or by following us on social media @WexfordPride. To learn about upcoming club groups, community spaces and events visit our community calendar.
Wexford Pride 2026 Committee
Veronica Victor (Treasurer, she/her), John Cunningham Ryan (Secretary, he/him), Andrei Boyd (Community Liaison, he/him), Molly Miller (Public Relations Officer, they/them), Rían Browne (Open Committee Member, he/him) and Christina Kabari (Open Committee Member, she/her)