Isle of Man holds first Pride event, celebrating LGBTQ+ diversity

A parade took place in the centre of Douglas

The Isle of Man's first Pride event has taken place after it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic last year.

The event, in the Villa Marina Gardens in Douglas, celebrated the island's LGBTQ+ diversity.

It was preceded by a 50-strong march featuring participants carrying a 50-metre rainbow flag through the centre of Douglas.

Ongoing works on Douglas Promenade meant the march itself was limited to invited participants only.

The Isle of Man has a chequered history when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights - homosexual acts were decriminalised on the Isle of Man in 1992, 25 years later than in England and Wales, and 12 years after Scotland.

The event was held at the Villa Marina

Last year, the island's Chief Minister Howard Quayle issued an "unqualified apology" to gay men convicted of same-sex offences under previous Manx laws.

Jenny Smith, who attended the event, said it had been "a long time coming" and was "going to go down in history".

"We can all say 'I was there when', and this is the first of its kind on the Isle of Man.

"There's still problems, there's still a lot of work to do but I think it is so great to see that it's only the very noisy few that have got a problem and I think the majority of people are here to support it."

Another participant Ki Griffin said: "I feel proud to be here with my partner who couldn't be outwardly themselves for so long.

"Now we can be here together as a couple and be happily supporting other queer people, and hopefully be a beacon of hope for younger queer people."