A church in Dublin city centre has cancelled a performance by the Dublin Gay Men’s Chorus after learning that it was in essence a Pride festival event rather than a simple choral recital.
St Andrew’s Church on Westland Row said in a statement that the planned June 23 event is “not compatible with our mission as a Roman Catholic Parish Church”. The parish stated that the nature of the summer concert, titled ‘Pride in the Name of Love’ after the U2 song of the same name, was not made known at the time of booking over the phone.
In an email to the choir, the parish said that it was “disappointed that the nature of this event was not made clear at the time of booking” and that “…we have learned that in form and content it is being presented not as a simple choral recital but as a Pride Festival event”.
The choir, which is Ireland’s only all-male gay choir, said in a statement that the decision sends a “clear message: LGBT+ choirs are not welcome in the church if they seek to express pride in who they are, their lived experiences, and show solidarity with one another and the wider cause of greater dignity and inclusivity for LGBT+ people”.
‘St Andrew’s Church cancels Dublin Gay Men’s Chorus concert citing incompatibility with church’s mission.’
Read our statement: pic.twitter.com/6EQNFCsPmS
— Dublin Gay Men's Chorus (@dublingaychorus) June 13, 2024
“St Andrew’s Church previously permitted another Dublin-based LGBT+ choir to perform in 2023, yet has seemingly made this decision due to the event’s title and their perception of its association with the festival,” it said.
In a statement sent to The Irish Catholic, however, the parish said that it is “happy to welcome groups from all backgrounds to perform concerts in the church,” but that on this occasion the nature of the performance was not made clear and that upon discovery, it was deemed incompatible with the parish’s mission.
“In the circumstances the parish is unable to facilitate the performance on June 23,” it said. The performance has since moved to Sandford Church in Ranelagh, a Church of Ireland parish.
Gript attempted to make contact with a priest of the parish for comment but was unsuccessful by the time of writing.