Well, if you still wish to join, either with a float, vehicle or as a marching group of 10 or more people, then its is important that you fill in the online “Join the Parade” form. See the update below.

If you’re a group and you do not fill in the form then you will not be able to join in the parade.

Why the form? Why all the questions?

We need to know roughly how many are in each group as well as the nature of the group and its appearance and props in order to determine the best mix of floats, groups and flags so we can get a order that maximises their impact and effect as well as for safety reasons. For example, we don’t want two marching bands in a row as the music will clash. Same applies for floats with music playing.

As well as that each group should provide their own steward or group leader to maintain the safety of the group. While we will have stewards for the crowds on the route, a group leader or steward will be required to be the point of contact, maintain the safety of the group and to lead the group (in particular if your group is involves lots of running around or dancing).

So if you want to join, please fill out the form.

UPDATE: Noon May 27 2011
When it comes to walking groups of more than 10 we mean those walking behind a banner or sign. If 12 mates meet up and decide that they want to join in together, then they are welcome.

1) If you are a group, organization or business, then fill in the “Join the parade” form and apply to join it. The main reasons for this are to have contact details of the group organizers, to have an idea of the number of groups and to make sure that the groups take the quick safety training course required to take part in the parade.

2 and 3) If you are an individual, couple or a group of friends that want to join in then you could find a group and join in with them. Of fill in the form yourselves (list yourself as a marching group of how many you are. It feels silly, I know).

4) Or you can be spectacular! The theme of the parade is evolution, but if you don’t have a costume that fits the theme, why not join in the parade wearing a thin coat of paint.

We have seven amazing body painters coming down from Dublin to help make the parade colourful. So come early and get some colour on your birthday suit! Only 7 spaces left so book early! There is a charge, (these painters are bringing equipment and expertise) but you’ll be wearing something unique, and are sure to feature in many photographs of the parade. To book mail info@theotherplacecork.com with the subject of “paint” and we’ll get back to you.

Speaking of photographs, would there be any interest in doing a photowalk of the parade and its setup? Email info@theotherplacecork.com with the subject of “photowalk” and I’ll try to get passes for you.

If you can’t wait use this link to an Issuu hosted softcopy. Issuu have iPhone and Android apps so you can keep a copy on you throughout the festival (if your battery lasts). Or you can pick up a paper copy.

Don’t worry, I’ll be adding day by day pages here shortly.

So what events are you looking forward to?

Come to the Fundraising Table Quiz for Cork Pride in Loafers Bar on Thursday May 19th at 8pm. Tables of 4. €5 a head. Wonderful prizes for wonderful people.

And no using communications technology to look up an answer!

Jedward are performing “Lipstick” in Germany, and according to the Google Eurovision Predictor, the Grimes twins are in the lead across Europe. Apparently this index based on Google search results has predicted the likely winner of the contest correctly. And from the Week I’ve been looking at it, they have been in the top two, in the 190 region (and heading over 200 points on occasion) with only Lena of Germany passing them out.

This reflects the public interest in the acts, but remember, “50% of the score on the night comes from a professional jury” which is (usually) not swayed by public opinion.

Well Google seem to think they have won. This year Ireland chose the song early and John and Edward have been flying around Europe gaining support. And I think they might have gone a good way there. Having said that, anything can happen in a semi-final. Expect their second album (almost ready of rumours are correct) to come out shortly after the contest.

Yes and LGBT interest in Eurovision is a cliché, but I like it. If it makes you feel any better, I missed the first semi final. Did I miss anything good?

If you’re not sure, take a look at their first rehearsal and then tell me what you think about their chances.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsUi7FfMIZ8

Update: They did it. They are in the final!

What they are doing helps everyone. It would be wrong for a festival celebrating diversity to turn anyone away, so so ArtLink are creating props and masks for people who show up on the day.

Yes folks you can just show up. Remember that out theme is Evolution so if you are going to show up in costume or as a group please respect that theme. That should answer some of the e-mails we’ve been getting asking how to register for the parade. I just hope that friends of mine don’t go for the “zombies should be part of the evolution of man” argument and stage a mini zombie parade. Waving body-parts (or pictures of body-parts) is sort of distasteful. What the people who arrive on the day will be getting props or masks that fit in with an era. It looks like a lot of flowers for your hair to me…

Yes folks those are cardboard petals across the worktop. You won’t be wearing them in your hair (maybe as your hair if you are creative enough).

So do you have talents? While the business involved are also construction their floats and would be very willing to take your help, the Cork Community ArtLink would like to get more people involved in constructing the props for the “everyman”. Its fun, and you pick up new abilities.

I did a short interview with William and Sam of ArtLink about their aims for Cork Pride.

There is a link to the MP3 file if the embedded flash player does not appear in your browser or reader.

Help out and be proud of it.

And if you would like to bring your artistic skills to plate, there are a series of workshops every Monday and Wednesday at 6.30pm until 8.30pm (but if you ask nicely you might be allowed to stay a little later) in the ArtLink building at 107 Shandon Street.

Since the Cork Pride Festival theme is “Evolution” and we’re looking at different eras for each float there are a lot of options to go with. Artlink themselves are looking closely at the Stonewall timeline, or at least their own guided workshops are called “Flower your power!”

If you don’t think you have any skills (you are wrong by the way) you can still help out with the float and costume making by donating supplies such as:

beds sheets (clean for obvious reasons)
psychedelic curtains or wallpaper, fabric with big flower patterns etc..
old plastic jewelery or any thing that could lead to the making of costume jewelery,
old hats, platform shoes or just shoes that we can transform,
any hippy style clothing once it is bright and colorful (I’m sure some of you have some neon bright rave clothing from the 80s lurking around that you won’t fit in, and anyone younger won’t want to be seen in for another 5 years),
belts,
old pairs of sunglasses,
bamboos/sticks (or wood 2by1, 1by1),
paints bright vivid colors (water based), dye, brushes
and anything that you find relevant to the theme

This is going to be one colourful show. If you have the time please go to the workshops, and let us know if you need help with your float in the parade.

You can contact ArtLink directly at info(at)corkcommunityartlink.com or by phone at 00353214212914

For more information on the campaign please see: http://www.belongto.org/campaign.aspx

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrJxqvalFxM

So in order to keep up to date with on on Facebook, then please like our new page. You’ll find a like link on the right page, or on facebook on http://www.facebook.com/corkpride

So what does evolution mean? No I am not heaving out my dictionary for this. It means a slow adaption and changes to conditions. However sometimes it means a slow change of conditions and attitudes to a situation.

Like homosexuality.

Think how different Ireland was in the 1950s. Being gay then was a crime.
As it was in the 1960s, when the Stonewall riots happened.
As it was in the 1970s, when the Campaign for Homosexual Law Reform was founded.
As it was in the 1980s, when the European Court of Human Rights got involved. And discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation was outlawed and its joined by the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act in 1989.

It didn’t become legal to be gay in Ireland until1993.

And it took another 10 years before it became legal in Utah.

In 2007 Dr Lydia Foy won her case in the High Court to get a new birth certificate recording her as having been born female.

This year, less than a fortnight ago, we’ve had the first civil union in Ireland for a same sex couple.

Things are changing. Things are evolving.

The catch about evolution, is that you can’t always tell where its going. But when it comes to social evolution, we can guide it.

Do you know where its been?
So where do you want it to lead to?