This year's Cork Pride festival will focus on sexual health 

This PRIDE festival, the Sexual Health Centre in Cork will be joining the celebration with a clear message: sexual health is part of the party.

Graham Nagle, LGBTI counsellor at the centre, said: “PRIDE is protest. PRIDE is celebration. PRIDE is visibility, and that visibility includes speaking openly about our health, our identities, our desires, and our care—publicly and proudly.” 

Fiona Finn, CEO of the Sexual Health Centre, explained: “We’re delighted to be offering a broad range of services to the community, not just during PRIDE but every day of the year.

“Our services are inclusive, confidential, and non-judgmental—because everyone deserves access to sexual health care that respects who they are.” 

Events include “Guided Queerful Meditation” on Monday, July 28 from 5:30 to 7pm and a Zine Workshop on Tuesday, July 29 from 5 to 7pm, and a “Queering Sex” Talk with Mr Nagle on Thursday 31 from 5 to 7pm, all at 18 South Mall.

On Wednesday 30 at 8pm, a Pride Poetry Slam event will be held at Nudes Cocktail Bar, while on Friday, August 1, a “Your PRIDE Look” Makeup Masterclass will be held at 4pm in Brown Thomas with tools provided and all genders welcome.

Saturday, August 2 is a Family Fun Day from 12 to 6pm at Fitzgerald Park, while on Sunday August 3, the Sexual Health Centre’s DASH van will be at the Pride Parade, stocked with free condoms and lube, and offering rapid HIV tests and sexual health info.

Many events are free, but some require RSVP - email info@sexualhealthcentre.com to attend the events.