BMW Ireland is taking its first step in becoming active supporters for the LGBTQ+ community by partnering with MOTHER for its annual Pride Block Party, the biggest ticketed event at the Dublin LGBTQ Pride Festival.
This event annually raises vital funds for GCN (Gay Community News), Ireland’s national LGBTQ+ publication – a valued free community resource and registered charity.
This ‘mother’ of all Pride Parties will be held from the 23rd to the 25th June 2023 at Collins Barracks in Dublin held and will feature a BMW iX1 installation with the theme of #UnitedwithPride, BMW’s global campaign to support LGBTQ+ community. Around the world, the BMW Group has consistently been a proud supporter and partner of the LGBTQ+ community having supported World Pride festivals and people that champion diversity.
Speaking at the launch of the partnership, Helen Westby Managing Director for BMW Group Ireland said: “Diversity is incredibly important for the BMW Group as a business. It is incredibly powerful, but for us to be successful we all need to take steps to challenge the status quo. We can do this by giving everyone the confidence, support, and a platform to share their ideas and perspectives. We are delighted to be working with Mother to become active supporters of the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland.”
“Mother is delighted to welcome BMW as key partner for the 2023 Mother Pride Block Party. The Support from BMW enables us to continue our journey in creating a safe and celebratory space for LGBTQ+ community in Dublin City during the Pride season, one of the biggest celebrations in the country along with raising awareness of the festival to a wider audience” said, Lisa Connell, Co-Founder of Mother.
As part of this partnership staff in BMW Group Ireland will partake in a Pride at Work training programme led by Jed Dowling from Dublin LGBTQ Pride. Training sessions will focus on finding out what the letters in LGBTQIA+ mean with a focus on understanding what the differences between sexual orientation, gender identity and biological sex are. Lastly getting and understanding of the pronouns that are used and learning why the Pride flag is constantly evolving will also feature in the training programme.
2023 also marks a series of significant anniversaries in the history of Pride and LGBTQ+ rights in Dublin. It’s the 50th anniversary of the first LGBTQ+ group in Dublin, the Sexual Liberation Movement in Trinity College. The 40th anniversary of the famous march to Fairview Park and the first Dublin Pride Parade and the 30th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Ireland.
Stay tuned to BMW Ireland social media channels for more information and competitions to win tickets plus exclusive opportunities on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram ahead of the event.
