CARL CONNIELINGUS

GUYS, I have finally finished one of the most stressful educational journeys in my life LOL and all because I just happened to be studying when the Pandemic hit!! I finally got there and all being well I will have passed. A trainee Barber in the making with my English and Maths updated since I done my GGCSE’s like 23 years ago..fcuk I’m getting old hahahahaha.. and providing I pass; I will be back in September for Level 3 and ICT. Wish me luck!!

PRIDE is an organisation formed in Los Angeles, California in 1966 by Steve Ginsburg and is an acronym for - Personal Rights in Defence and Education. Pride parades and marches are outdoor events celebrating LGBTQIA+ selfself-acceptance, achievements, legal rights and pride - happening every year throughout the Summer all over the world and following on from the events at the Stonewall Riots in New York in 1969. The parades seek to create Community and Honour in the history of the movement.

And believe it or not, a lot of this is new to me too because I was so uneducated in Queer History that I needed to educate myself and be around people who could help educate me. Queer History is so powerful but when I first started going to Pride events this was not the main reason for going. My main reason for going was to explore and have one of the best parties of the year lol that’s just how it was back then because we were just happy to be out and having fun that we never always thought about the actual history behind Pride, even though we should have. Northern Ireland was so backwards that we didn’t have our first Pride until 1991 but even having a gay bar here was so exciting.

At that time, I just thought I was Bisexual because I fancied “men” and “women” and I didn’t even know you could love anyone you wanted and that they could love you back, that was totally foreign to me lol . . The first Pride I ever attended was in 1999 as a spectator and it lasted about 20 minutes, but it was the most fun & campest thing I had ever seen here, and I needed to know more. So, after years of going to Belfast Pride and having those amazing experiences I decided it was time to branch out and got to attend Gran Canaria Pride on multiple occasions and Benidorm Pride as well. Nothing like a pride event in the sunshine when you know Northern Irish weather is so unpredictable haha

Now I’ve been pretty much every year since then – first as a young queer spectator, then as a confused married woman with my ex-husband, to well versed lesbian/queerling and now as the GenderQueer Being you all know as Carl ConnieLingus, and I couldn’t be prouder of my journey.

WELL, WHAT A YEAR THIS HAS BEEN GUYS!! This year has just flown in already and with that has been so much to deal with. Both Hayley and I had college deadlines recently and to be honest it was a very stressful situation to be in lol why is it when you’re stressed out you take it out on the ones you love?? Haha . . In saying that, both of us met our deadlines, got over ourselves and now we’re best buddies again lol but what a learning experience for a couple to have because between studying and trying to make yourself and your home happy, things can get out of hand very easily. Luckily, we both know when to nurture each other when it is necessary as both of us would discover recently since we have both had to attend hospital separately for cysts in different parts of our bodies. Now if that does not bond a couple then I do not know what will haha . . We are both doing ok and plodding along now but yea the things that are sent to test a couple is wild (laughing faces).

Since then, Hayley and her band Paper Tigers just done their first Livestream gig back after a year and what an unreal show it was, but the main part for me was seeing my missus up there giving it stacks and being the Rockstar that she is..and also reminding me of one of the main reasons I fell in love with her in the first place. Her talent, courage and spirit inspire me every day.

So, I recently joined a gymnastics club as an adult because it was always my favourite sport and hobby as a kid. And while I’ve delved in and out as an adult over the years this time feels different because I feel so focused, and I wish I had have had that when I was younger. Since I was a British Champion when I was 13 & 14, I thought why nat?? LOL . . So, wish this 38-year-old gymnast the best of luck, for I’m gonna need it hahaha

I’ve been so busy recently that I haven’t got to watch a lot, but we did finish Keeping up with the Kardashians and I’m so sad because it’s an end of an era lol we still have the 2-part Reunion to look forward to, but I think we’ll watch the whole 20 Seasons again when that’s done because I’m just not ready to let go haha KUWTK FOREVA!!

Carl is starting to get busy with enquiries and gigs now but most recently I have accepted the role of the Mad Hatter for Tipsy Tea Parties in

The River Rooms Belfast (5 Donegall Quay BT1 3EA – 02890 231 777) and it’s just gonna be, well MAD haha . . To find out more information

contact the number above. A cheeky little Guest spot at Cabargay in Union Street on June 27th, so make sure to book your table in advance guys – 02890 316 060

I did win a CD copy of Wayne’s World from a TikTok Creator called @ifitsontv and we’ll be watching that tonight, so thank you Charlie.

As for music I’m stuck on one song right now. Jon Secada – Just another day..you’re welcome lol And then the big one. Electric Love Belfast – 2022 and guys the lineup for this event is unreal!! I’m lucky to be performing not once but twice at this event. Once with my good friend

Trisha McCluney and her Perfect Illusion Lady

Gaga Tribute as a backing dancer with Hayley and then as Carl. I am beyond excited for this!!

Get your tickets now at ElectricLoveBelfast.com or FB.com/ElectricLoveFestivalBelfast

And guys that’s it from me for another quarter lol thank you for reading and taking this wee column/writing journey with me. I really enjoy sharing my life and relationship with you all and getting to briefly tell you all about my pride journey recently is inspiring. I genuinely hope you all have the best pride season but remember Beauts, be proud all year round. You deserve it.

Feel free to throw me an email at carlconnielingus@gmail.com Find me on Facebook – www.facebook. com/carlconnielingus.com And Insta - @carlconnie-lingus

Love you all to the moon and back,

Carl ConnieLingus

This is an opinion piece from the columnist/ contributor and not the opinion of GNI MAG / Romeo & Julian Publications Ltd.