“With these Prides, you are really spoiling us!” Isn’t it always the way? You wait an age, and then two Prides come along at once. If you’re nowhere near Norn Iron over the coming week or so for Belfast Pride, you might consider a trip to the other end of the island where the Cork Pride Festival is about to get under way.

Here’s a few highlights which caught our eye. Will you be heading to Cork or Belfast (or other)?

29th July

“Circumstance“ (POUTfest 2012) at 8:45pm in Triskel Christchurch Cinema.

In this critically acclaimed film directed by Maryam Keshavarz (which opens the GAZE film festival next weekend), two young Iranian girls struggle with their desires and the boundaries placed upon them by the world they were born into. Tickets at €8.10/7.10 (+50c membership)). A POUTfest season ticket is €24.

30th July

Cork Pride Festival Launch: Lord Mayor’s Reception at 5pm in Cork City Hall.

All are welcome, and the Launch will feature performances from Choral con Fusion.

31st July

Frank Hannon Solicitors: Civil Partnership Talk at 7:30pm in The Other Place, 8 South Main Street, Cork.

1st August

The Hunt Returns! at 6:30pm in The Other Place

The 3rd Annual Treasure Hunt takes place, hosted by the Meet ‘n’ Greet & GayCork.com. Run around the city trying to find the answers to questions and clues. Ranging from simple to fiendish, you’ll be kept on your toes! Entry: €2 (proceeds to The Other Place).

2nd August

Youth Information Day at 1-6pm in The Other Place.

Members will be available for questions, and will showcase work done by the youth group throughout the year.

L.INC Interactive Open Evening at 5-9pm

Art & music to Celebrate “Our Future”, the theme of this year’s Cork Pride Festival.

Freakscene from 11pm at The Roxy.

Join the crowd at Freakscene for their ’60s/’80s night! Celebrate the decade that taste forgot with 1980s fashion and music on floor one, or dress ’50s Madmen or psychedelic for the ’60s floor.

Champagne for the best dressed, and it will be right here right now electronica in the roof garden as always! Entry: €6 (€4 before 11.30pm).

3rd August

L.INC Pride BBQ! at 6pm.

It’s L.INC’s annual BBQ for Cork Pride! Mixed Event. All Welcome. Music & food! BYOB.

Coming out as an LGBT person at 7pm in The Other Place

With contributions from each part of the community.

4th August

Gay Olympics and Dog Show! at 2pm in Mardyke Walk, Cork.

C’mon Guys and Gals, get your kit on and come join us for our very own “GAY OLYMPICS”! This year Cork Pride will have a packed schedule which includes 5-a-side football, high-heel dash, tops and bottoms race, lipstick relay – to name but a few.

Bring along your dogs for Cork Pride’s very first dog show!

5th August

Parade prep!

Set yourselves up for the big day of marching and partying with not one but two feeds ahead of the Parade.

Start off with the Pride Breakfast at 10am in The Other Place, before tucking in to the L.INC Pre-Parade Brunch at 12 noon also in White Street.

The 7th Annual LGBT Pride Parade! at 2:30pm starting from The City Library, Grand Parade, Cork.

This year’s theme is “Our Future”. Pride parades express the intention to remain unified, visible and vocal in terms of LGBT identity, welfare and equality. Last year Cork Pride had an amazing 3000 people in attendence and this year they hope to top that!

So come on down and lend a hand to carry the 40 foot Pride Flag or cheer on your community from the sidelines.

Post-parade events!

If you’re starting to fade after the Parade, you can head to Door 51 where there’ll be a free barbecue and Eddie Kay on the decks.

Over at Chambers, the Captain Anchor DJ Set starts at 4pm, with Miss Sheila Fitzpatrick & Madonna Lucia wowing the crowd from 8pm.

Meanwhile, those needing some re-fuelling later in the day, can head to Loafers for the Post-Parade BBQ, followed by DJs Sinead & Emer.

Events at The Woodford kick off at 8pm with “Bada Bingo” hosted by Kitty Cartier & Bear Midler, followed by “Simply Sundays” Pride Special with DJs Angi & Eddie Kay – plus a very special live performance!

Back again to Chambers, you can catch Steptastic (“UK’s top Steps tribute band) at 9:30pm, followed by DJ Jules. While in Rubys the celebrations start from 10pm until late. (Move between Chambers & Rubys with wristband.)

Cork Pride:

web / facebook / twitter / full programme / hashtag: #corkpride