Pride taking 'step forward' with new village

Pride celebrations have a new main home after "outgrowing" their previous location, organisers have confirmed.

Channel Islands Pride said the village for the event being held on 12 September would be at La Vallette Bathing Pools rather than its previous Guernsey base of Market Square in St Peter Port.

Thousands of people are expected to take part in the parade which begins at the Rainbow Steps in Market Square and makes it way through the town before reaching the Pride village.

Ellie Jones, chief executive of LGBTQ+ charity Liberate and organiser of Channel Islands Pride, said the move to the pools which overlook the seafront felt like "a real step forward" for the event.

Jones said: "We've outgrown our previous site and wanted to create something that felt more like a festival while keeping everything that makes Channel Islands Pride so special.

"The bathing pools give us the opportunity to create different spaces, welcome even more people and make the most of one of the most beautiful locations in Guernsey."

Hosting of Channel Islands Pride alternates between Guernsey and Jersey each year, with the latter staging the 2025 edition.

Helen Bonner-Morgan, La Vallette's operations manager, said the team at the pool were excited to be hosting Pride's main village.

She said: "Pride has always been about bringing people together.

"Whether you're part of the LGBTQ+ community, an ally, a family, a visitor to the island or simply curious to see what Pride is all about, everyone is welcome."

Organisers said a gathering at the Rainbow Steps was due to begin at 13:00 BST before the parade commenced an hour later, with events at the pools due to continue until 21:00.

Pride activities are also taking place on 11 and 13 September with a comedy and cabaret night and a pool party at the Peninsula Hotel.

Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.