Blog: When Dublin Zoo celebrated a first-ever participation in Dublin Pride

In June, Dublin Zoo donned Pride regalia and joined the celebrations for the first time. Dr Andrew Mooney (Conservation and Science Manager, Dublin Zoo) on how it went:

This year marked a significant milestone for Dublin Zoo as we proudly took part in the Dublin Pride Parade for the very first time. Held on Saturday 27 June, the parade is the largest celebration of diversity and inclusion on the island of Ireland, with more than 100,000 people coming together each year to celebrate the LGBTIQ+ community and champion equality.

Our participation was spearheaded by Dublin Zoo's Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion (DEAI) Working Group, a voluntary team made up of colleagues from across the organisation who meet regularly to help foster a more inclusive and welcoming workplace for all. Their commitment and enthusiasm were instrumental in bringing this initiative to life and ensuring Pride was celebrated both within the Zoo and in the wider community.

Representatives from across Dublin Zoo proudly marched in the parade, including colleagues from Conservation and Science, Conservation Education, and our dedicated volunteer team. Wearing custom-designed Pride t-shirts created by our Marketing team, staff and volunteers walked together in a vibrant display of solidarity, reflecting the diversity of the people who make up Dublin Zoo.

Alongside our participation in the parade, the Zoo organised a series of on-site Pride activations to encourage learning, reflection and open conversation. In partnership with Pride at Work, staff and volunteers were invited to a programme of talks designed to support LGBTIQ+ equality and inclusion in the workplace. These sessions provided a safe and welcoming space for participants to explore new ideas, ask questions and deepen their understanding of inclusion. Topics included Together: An LGBTQ+ History Through Love Stories and How To Be An Ally, helping to build awareness and equip colleagues with practical ways to support one another.

Our Pride celebrations were also shared across Dublin Zoo's social media channels, allowing us to extend the conversation beyond our gates and demonstrate our commitment to creating an inclusive environment for staff, volunteers, visitors and the wider community.

As conservation organisations, zoos are built on collaboration, compassion and respect—for wildlife, for nature and for people. Celebrating diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion is an important part of creating workplaces where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to contribute. By embracing DEAI initiatives, we strengthen our teams, encourage innovation through diverse perspectives and ensure that our organisations reflect and welcome the communities we serve.

Our first participation in Dublin Pride represents an important step in Dublin Zoo's ongoing DEAI journey. It reflects our commitment to fostering a culture where everyone belongs and where inclusion is woven into every aspect of our work. We are incredibly proud of everyone who helped make this milestone possible and look forward to building on this momentum in the years ahead.

- Dr Andrew Mooney - Conservation and Science Manager, Dublin Zoo. BIAZA Research Committee Vice-Chair

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