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Up to 150 people gathered in Dolans Warehouse last Thursday night, 9th April for Out in UL\u2019s annual flagship event, Queerbash.<\/p>\n
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This year\u2019s event marked Queerbash 12 with a theme of \u201cPride by the Tide\u201d and was labelled as the \u201cparty of 2015\u201d by some of those attending.<\/p>\n
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This was the twelfth year of the Limerick city night-out and drew in a variety of people including UL students, Limerick natives and Maltese and American students.<\/p>\n
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Speaking to An Focal, Out in UL president, Marielle Xuereb said Queerbash is the society\u2019s biggest event of the year and a \u201clandmark\u201d event each year for UL\u2019s LGBTQ community.<\/p>\n
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Ms Xuereb explained: \u201cThis is a celebration of not only the queer community but also what we can do together and what we have achieved together.\u201d<\/p>\n
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She added: \u201cWe love the theme, we love the feel. Honestly, the lovely thing about Queerbash is that year to year, theme to theme, it\u2019s the lovely atmosphere that really makes the event.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter if we\u2019re all dressed up as mermaids or as time travelers or what not, it\u2019s just the amazing atmosphere and good feeling that\u2019s going around at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Hosted by Dublin drag performer, Victoria Secret, Queerbash 12 included performances from Dance UL, UL Drama Society and Tigwara.<\/p>\n
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A change from a number of previous years, UL Drama Society choreographed a dance through a mixture of tracks specifically for this year\u2019s Queerbash.<\/p>\n
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Dance UL performed later in the night and were followed by members of Out in UL\u2019s committee taking to the stage to close the event with a rendition of Nicki Minaj\u2019s \u2018Starships\u2019. Tigwara then followed, playing live for the remainder of the event.<\/p>\n
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Students on the night had only positive comments on the event. A student from the US called it the \u201cparty of 2015\u201d and said: \u201cIf Out in UL is involved, it\u2019s going to be epic.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Another US student said it was the first time she had seen a drag queen. She said the event should be held every semester, rather than just once per year.<\/p>\n
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Another student, Ciara said she had travelled from UCD for the event. She explained: \u201cQueerbash is an award-winning event and it is one the highlights of Out in UL\u2019s calendar.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Others described Queerbash 12 as a \u201cbrilliant night,\u201d a \u201cbig celebration\u201d and \u201call just a big party.\u201d<\/p>\n
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A Maltese student, Victoria said: \u201cIt was definitely worth the trip, and I hate flying. I will probably come back for next year, depending on the money situation but hopefully the next time I\u2019m in Limerick it won\u2019t be for such a short visit.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Attendees were also encouraged to sign pledge cards from the Yes Equality campaign group in support of the upcoming marriage equality referendum. One student told An Focal: \u201cEveryone should join Out in UL and vote yes in the marriage equality referendum.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Queerbash 12 was the first big event since Out in UL won the award for Clubs & Societies (C&S) Best Society at the University of Limerick for the 2014\/2015 academic year.<\/p>\n
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Out in UL had also been nominated last month for the C&S Best Society Event for Queerbash 11, which was held in 2014. The event previously won C&S Best Society Event for Queerbash 8 in 2012.<\/p>\n
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Earlier this semester the society won a GALA award for Best LGBT Student Society for 2015 and successfully lobbied ULSU to take a stance in favour of the 22nd May marriage equality referendum.<\/p>\n
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Ms Xuereb said: \u201cHonestly, after the GALA and C&S wins, we hope this is as enjoyable for our members as it was for us to organise.<\/p>\n
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\u201c[Queerbash is] absolutely a good way to finish off the year. You end it on a high note, all together, having fun together and it\u2019s absolutely amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The annual event has been held since 2004 when it was established by Out in UL president at the time, Paddy McHugh.<\/p>\n
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