Channel Islands Pride 2017 is taking place this year in Jersey on Saturday 9  September. It is a free community event hosted by equality and diversity charity, Liberate. As a charity, we cannot do this without the support of our sponsors, The Channel Islands Co-Operative Society, Citi and G4S. But, we also need the support of the public, both financially and on the day of Pride.

Pride in the Channel Islands really is for all islanders: old and young, straight and gay, enabled and disabled, black and white, whatever your identity we welcome you to our inclusive Pride. Join the parade and show you are proud of who you are.

The theme of this year’s Pride parade is marriage. 2017 will see the introduction of same-sex marriage in both Guernsey and Jersey. This long-awaited piece of legislation demonstrates in the most  tangible way possible that the governments of the Channel Islands  believe same-sex partnerships to be the equal of opposite-sex  partnerships. We celebrate those who argued for this equality over the  years and we commemorate those who would have dearly loved to be married but did not live to see this day.

However you personally feel about the institution known as marriage, we hope you agree that a loving, committed relationship between two people is always something to be celebrated. If you do then, this year for Pride, please dig out your best hat for the parade and donate a little something to make the biggest wedding party ever seen in Jersey happen! Hashtag: #IDo