REBEL Awards
As part of the Cork Pride 2009 programme, I urged the committee to launch a formal event, such as a sit-down dinner, on the evening before the Parade. As a part of this, I encouraged the recognition (through an Awards ceremony) of the various volunteers, social and support groups, entertainment personae, and business entities for the services they provide to the LGBT community in Cork. My reasons for such a structure are listed below.
- Gathering on the evening before the Parade, to both 1) enlist a high-profile MC who could then participate in the parade as well, and 2) to drive critical mass to Cork for the weekend’s events by providing another high-profile event.
- Using the Awards ceremony to entice potential awardees to bring friends, family and colleagues, thus ensuring a well attended event.
- To call to national attention the great work conducted in Cork city, Cork county, and the Munster region.
- To provide a classy, elegant affair for LGBT persons in Cork, dedicated to an LGBT cause. This is important as there are few events like it in the social calendar, and it fosters a sense of equality.
- To spur to action groups which may not have been awarded in the first year, that they would have a benchmark against which to gauge their acheivements.
The Pride Committee had limited resources available, but encouraged the event to run separate to the committee, as a standalone event during Pride Week. I first enlisted the headline sponsorship of GayCork.com, and together with the GayCork.com administrator, Jonathan, we pulled together an excellent committee dedicated to the event for the reasons listed above.
We were fortunate to book Panti, a legendary Irish drag queen, entrepreneur, and gay icon, for the event. We also welcomed Mr. Gay World 2009, Max Krzyzanowski, to present the awards to the various winners. We were entertained by local acts, were fed an amazing three course meal at Scott’s restaurant (which donated the space for the dinner), and recognised 9 groups and individuals for their outstanding contribution to the event.
The event was sold out, and very well received. Despite my departure from Cork, all signs would indicate that this will become an annual Pride event (and fundraiser), due to the support received during its founding year. It did not generate a profit in the first year, nor did we expect it to. This initial year was meant to “sell” the idea to the LGBT community, and to provide a firm foundation for this event and those like it in years to come.
