Cork LGBT+ Pride Festival Magazine 2025
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CONTENTS
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A Message from the President A Message from An Taoiseach A Message from the Lord Mayor
LINQ Ireland: What’s In a Name?
Building Community: Gay Project’s New Home by Kondrad Im Understanding and Responding to Sexual Violence in the LGBT+ Community by Ciara Buckley
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Cork Pride Theme 2025: Fearless Future
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Meet the Team
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Oileán Aiteach by Darren Ó Conchúir
Cork Pride Events Listings 2025 Hospitality Map & Parade Route
An Interview with Queer Hawk
Proud Poets: Joanne McCarthy and Orla Egan
Trans Revisionism by Barbara O’Sullivan
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Artist Spotlight: Hannah B Lane
Trade Unions and Progress for LGBT+ People by Kieran Rose
Trans Pride in Ireland by Mx. Adam Khan
A Fix of Light by Kel Menton
PRISMA by Alana Daly Mulligan Rulebreaker by Fionn Sheehan
An Interview with Haus of Schiaparelli
Can I Get an Amen… On FM? By Mia Poland From LGBTQ+ Activism to Dáil Éireann by Pádraig Rice Fearless Future: LGBTQ+ Leaders Driving Inclusion in Irish Sport by Mary White Sex Work and the LGBT+ Community by SWAI (Sex Workers Alliance of Ireland) Information as Empowerment for the Non-Binary and Genderqueer Community in Ireland by Faye Carrie
Mythbusting Your First Time by Aoife Murray Amplifying Our Voices by Jamie David Howell Eibhear Walshe: In Memoriam by Saul Perez
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INTO LGBT+ Teachers Group by Eileen Gamble I Was Never the Token Gay Friend by Nicole Lee
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Pride in Sport by Dean Kinsella
Queerness is Creative by Em Egan Reeve
Proud sponsors of
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The New Irish Queer by Pradeep Mahadeshwar Artist Spotlight: Evelyn O’Neill Take a Seat by Billy Lingwood
Enjoying the Ride by by Leo Fröhlich
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Artist Spotlight: Ciara Butler
Inclusive Ceremonies in Ireland With Ronan by Ronan Kenny
A Celebration of Youth, Identity and Healing by Joe Curtin and Jennifer Grey The Big Queer Debs by Alana Daly Mulligan, Dee Finn and Hannah B Lane Where Do the Quiet Queer Go…In Cork? By Mark Breen Where We Belong by Jason “Jibbs” Scully
Fast-Track Cities by Tara Russell
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Artist Spotlight: Dean Breslin
Citations Page
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Supports and Resources
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corkpride.com
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
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Agus mar sin, i mo bhliain dheireanach mar Uachtarán na hÉireann, I mian liom beannachtaí croíúla a sheoladh do chách ag ceiliúradh Bród 2025. In this, my final year as President of Ireland, may I offer my warmest greetings to all those marking Pride 2025. This annual celebration is a vital affirmation of the rights, dignity, and joy of our LGBT+ communities. It is a time, too, to remember with gratitude the courage of those who paved the way for progress when marching was not safe, who gave voice to truths that were long silenced, and who set the foundations for the inclusive Ireland that we continue to strive towards today. In recent years, great strides have been made in advancing the rights and recognition of LGBT+ people in Ireland. In celebrating Pride this year, we are also marking the 10th anniversary of the Marriage Equality referendum, a moment that spoke of the kind of Ireland we aspire to be: inclusive, generous, an Ireland that is unafraid to affirm the equal worth of all of our citizens. Yet, we must also acknowledge that the journey is not complete. A truly inclusive society is one where all can live authentically and creatively, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression — where all can participate fully, and where all voices are not only heard but valued, in all their richness and diversity. Pride remains a vital expression of that vision — in challenging us to deepen our commitment to human rights, to solidarity, and to the kind of republic that cherishes all of its people equally. In a time when hard-won rights are being questioned in many parts of the world, such vigilance and unity are more vital than ever. As I reflect on my terms as President of Ireland, I have been continually inspired by the creativity, resilience, and generosity of spirit shown by Ireland’s LGBT+ community. In so many aspects of Irish life, including the arts, activism, education, community-building, and public life, your rich and varied contributions have helped to enrich our society immeasurably, widening the circle of belonging for us all.
As Cork Pride celebrates this year’s theme of ‘A Fearless Future’, we are reminded of the courage and vision of places like the Quay Co-Op, founded in 1982, which became a vital space for activism, solidarity, and the pursuit of equality when such efforts required great bravery. May I wish all those marking Pride 2025 the very best as you celebrate and embrace this remarkable festival of equality, respect, and love. May this Pride be a time of joy, of solidarity, and of renewed hope as we work to craft a future together that is peaceful, just and inclusive — a future defined by equality and participation of all citizens across the world in all their wonderful diversity. Trásnaím libh is gach beannacht álainn dá nó todhchaí.
Michael D. Higgins Uachtarán na hÉireann President of Ireland
Cork LGBT+ Pride Festival wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our sponsors, our dedicated team, and the amazing volunteers who give their time, energy, and passion so generously. To everyone who plays a part, whether behind the scenes or front and centre, thank you. Your commitment makes Pride happen, and we are endlessly grateful. Whether you’re planning events, raising flags, marching in the parade, or cheering from the sideline, you are Pride.
We simply couldn’t do it without you.
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A MESSAGE FROM AN TAOISEACH
I want to extend my best wishes to the LGBTIQ+ community and all its allies as Cork Pride 2025 unfolds. This year marks a decade since Ireland made history by becoming the first country to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote. The majority in the 2015 referendum was a resounding affirmation of love and equality, signifying a widespread call for an inclusive and accepting Ireland. Pride is not just a celebration; it is a powerful symbol of solidarity, identity, and resilience. It brings people from every background together under the most upstanding of causes. As we celebrate, we must remember that the Pride movement began as a protest. This year’s theme ‘A Fearless Future. Your Pride, Your Culture’ reflects this, and it reminds us that the journey toward equality is always ongoing. Since its inception, Cork Pride has only gone from strength to strength. Through the dedicated efforts of selfless volunteers and the heartfelt participation of the LGBTIQ+ community in Cork and further afield, Cork Pride has grown into one of the largest and most successful Pride celebrations across the country. In Ireland, we take great pride in our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Over the years, legal obstacles have been gradually removed, support structures have been established, and awareness of LGBTIQ+ rights has significantly increased. Despite the progress we have made, our work is far from over. Through the second National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy, the Government is working hard to protect the rights of LGBTIQ+ people to enjoy their lives safely, free of harassment and violence, and create an Ireland that they are proud to call their home. While Pride is a celebration, it is also a time to honour the brave advocates who fought with such tenacity for equality and inclusivity. Their courage laid the groundwork for the freedoms enjoyed today. The fight for equality does not end at our shores, and we must continually renew our commitment to amplifying the voices of those still advocating for change in places where LGBTIQ+ people still face exclusion, criminalisation, and violence. On these matters, it is imperative that we are never silent.
As Taoiseach, the Government remains committed to implementing strategies that promote inclusion, equality, and safety for all members of the LGBTIQ+ community. We have come a long way as a country, but we acknowledge that there is still more work to do. We welcome the pursuit of that work. I wish everyone celebrating Pride 2025 the very best as you enjoy this wonderful festival of equality, diversity, respect, and love. Go raibh míle maith agaibh, and Happy Pride to you all.
Micheál Martin T.D. An Taoiseach
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A MESSAGE FROM THE LORD MAYOR
It is with great pride and joy that I extend warmest wishes to everyone celebrating Cork LGBT+ Pride Festival. This week is a powerful celebration of visibility, equality and community spirit. It’s a time to honour the resilience and strength of Cork’s LGBT+ community and to reaffirm our shared commitment to build a city where everyone is free to live authentically, safely and with dignity. Cork has long been a city that champions diversity and inclusion. As Lord Mayor, I am incredibly proud of the progress we continue to make together, from our vibrant community initiatives to the visible support shown by the residents, businesses and public bodies. Pride is more than a celebration; it is a statement of solidarity and hope. This year, let us march not only in celebration but also in continued pursuit of justice and equality for all. Happy Cork LGBTI+ Pride. Let’s continue to stand together in love, respect, and unity.
Fergal Dennehy Lord Mayor
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CORK PRIDE THEME 2025:
Every year, Cork Pride selects a theme that captures the spirit of the moment and the broader social landscape in which our festival takes place. For 2025, we have chosen the theme Fearless Future- a powerful expression of hope, resilience, and determination in challenging times. In today’s social and political climate, the LGBT+ community is facing renewed threats to our hard-won rights and freedoms. From the rise of anti-trans legislation globally- explored in detail throughout this year’s magazine- to the growing influence of far-right ideologies and devastating international conflicts, the importance of Pride has never been more urgent. This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the Marriage Equality Referendum in Ireland- a historic moment that brought monumental change. As we honour that victory, we must also recognise the rights still to be achieved. Our fight is not over. We must continue to raise our voices, to protest, and to stand in solidarity -especially with our trans and nonbinary siblings, LGBT+ families, and LGBT+ youth, who still face significant barriers and discrimination. As we celebrate the progress of the past, we are called to look ahead- to imagine and shape a future that is fearless. A future in which every member of our community can live openly, love freely, and be embraced as their authentic selves. To face the challenges ahead, we must stand together as a united community, ready to defend our right to exist without fear. Because none of us are free until all of us are free. Fearless Future is more than a theme- it is a rallying cry. A call to action. A reminder that a better, more compassionate world is possible when we advocate for ourselves and uplift the most vulnerable among us. Let us raise our voices with pride, and fight, together, for a fearless future.
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MEET
Ronan Kenny (he/him): Committee Member Ronan has worked in the IT sector for over 10 years, and currently leads a team in Keeper Security here in Cork City and has volunteered with Cork Pride for the last 4 years. He has a strong focus on DEI and coaching in the workplace which naturally resonated to the Cork Pride Festival. Ronan works on delivering the Cork Pride Party at the Port. Mary White (she/her): Committee Member Mary White is a seasoned operations and communications leader with over 20 years’ experience. She is an award-winning author, winning the 2018 An Post Irish Sports Book of the Year for Game Changer, and earning a 2015 shortlist for her debut Relentless. Passionate about inclusion in sport and community, Mary is an active member of Frontrunners, and Na Laochra Aeracha GAA Club. Mary has been volunteering with Cork Pride for three years. Dáire Collins (he /him): Committee Member Dáire Collins is a philosophy graduate from University College Cork where he recently obtained a bachelor’s degree. He also has a passion for community and inclusion. He manages the only LGBTQ+ nightclub in Cork, creating a safe and vibrant space for the queer community. Dáire also volunteers with Cork LGBT+ Pride Festival, where he plays a key role in coordinating logistics, including supporting the Party at the Port and Pride on Tour. Evan Murphy Keogh (he/him): Committee Member Having been involved in Cork Pride initially from 2008 - 2011, Evan returned to the Cork Pride Festival family in a direct capacity in 2022 to help manage and support several events including Work With Pride. Evan is also involved in a number of LGBTQ+ initiatives across the corporate and sporting scenes in Cork to promote visibility and inclusiveness. On the weekends you can usually find him enjoying the scenery at The Lough during the day.
Denise Boyle (she/her): Chairperson Denise has been the Parade and Afterparty Manager for the past 8 years. A well known Cork building contractor, Denise is a registered gas technician, CAD technician, and electrician. She is a huge Munster Rugby fan, is the Coach for Mallow Women’s Rugby team and is Chairperson of Cork LGBT+ Pride Festival.
Damien O’Halloran (he/him): Vice Chairperson Damien O’Halloran is an executive leader working in IT for over 25 years, leading globally diverse teams. He is actively involved in multiple diversity and inclusion functions, most especially Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), focusing on encouraging team members to bring their authentic selves to the workplace.
Darren Fitzgerald (he/him): Treasurer Darren joined the Cork Pride team in 2021 and currently holds the role of Treasurer. Darren is a Partner and head of Private Clients at Orbitus Law LLP. Darren’s goal, being a proud member of the community, is to promote community presence within the legal realm.
Kery Mullaly: Business Development Manager Kery handles the Cork Pride sponsorships remit. Kery has brokered partnerships and sponsorships across many festivals and events including the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, Electric Picnic, Cork Midsummer Festival, and the Cork International Choral Festival. He divides his time between Kilkenny and Cork.
Aoife McLoughlin (she/her): Committee Member Aoife has been a dedicated member of the Cork Pride Festival for the past 7 years, and a committee member for the past two years bringing her passion, energy, and unwavering support as a proud ally of the LGBTQ+ community. Her commitment to inclusion and celebration has helped shape Cork Pride into the vibrant and welcoming festival it is today. Outside of her work with Cork Pride, Aoife is an enthusiastic supporter of local athletics and soccer teams, always cheering from the sidelines and backing community spirit. She also enjoys taking part in the iconic Lee Swim, embracing both the challenge and camaraderie of the event. Aoife’s drive to build stronger, more inclusive communities is at the heart of everything she does. Dee Finn (she/her): Community Liaison Dee Finn is an Events Manager and theatre maker based in Cork City. She has worked with Cork LGBT+ Pride Festival since 2022 and manages a range of events, including The Big Queer Debs, Family Fun Day, Welcome to the Community and coordinates the Cork Pride Community Events Scheme. She has also edited the Cork Pride Magazine since 2023. In addition to her work with Cork Pride, Dee is part of Cork-based theatre company Oh!Scare Wilde Productions and has directed their most recent shows Bottlenose: A Mystery for Modern Ireland (2025) and The Pigeon Factory (2023, 2034).
Joe Curtin (he/him): Youth Event Coordinator Joe is a new member of Cork Pride this year, part of the planning team for the Youth Pride Mental Health Event. Joe is a Youth Worker with CDYS Youth Work Ireland and is the coordinator of The Hut Youth Project (UBU) for the Gurranabraher & Churchfield area on the northside of Cork City. Joe is a facilitator with the Mind Your Head Youth Mental Health Programme, current Chairperson of Turners Cross Community Association, member of the Development Committee of The Kabin Studio, & elected to the Secretariat of the Cork City Public Participation Network (PPN). Jennifer Grey (she/her): Youth Event Coordinator Jennifer Fitzgerald is a dedicated art therapist specialising in one-to-one therapy, groups, and community outreach. With a passion for using creative expression as a tool for healing and connection, she empowers young people to explore their identities and navigate mental health challenges. This Cork Pride, Jennifer is hosting a special event focused on mental health awareness for LGBTQ+ youth, providing a safe and inclusive space to express, connect, and heal through art. Her commitment to fostering resilience and understanding makes her a valued advocate in the community.
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CORK PRIDE
31 JULY
2 AUGUST
THURSDAY
SATURDAY
Sexual Health Centre: Queering Sex Workshop 5:30 PM–7:30 PM | Meeting Room, Sexual Health Centre Cork Pride: Marriage Equality... 10 Years On Panel Discussion 6:00 PM–8:00 PM | St Peters LINQ: Meet Your “Queer from Another Year” 6:00 PM–8:00 PM | LINQ Ireland Gayze Gaymes: Gayme for Your Life 7:00 PM–10:00 PM | The Pavillion Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving 7:30 PM | St Anne’s Church, Shandon Zoo Night Late | The Black Dog
Cork Pride: Family Fun Day 12:00 PM–5:00 PM | Fitzgerald Park Pride’s Got Talent 4:00 PM–7:00 PM | Crane Lane Theatre High Heels & Loafers 5:00 PM–8:00 PM | Intermission Bar Paul Ryder Drag Race: The Revue 9:30 PM–11:00 PM | Crane Lane Theatre Get Your Freak On (Dyke Nite x Fuego & Flavour) Late | The Pavillion LINQ: Outrageous! Club Night (LBQ Women, Trans & Non-Binary Inclusive) 9:00 PM–late | Kino, Washington St
29 JULY
26 JULY
TUESDAY
SATURDAY
Sexual Health Centre: Zine Making Workshop 5:30 PM–7:30 PM | Meeting Room, Sexual Health Centre Pride Pony Club Contact Joe via joe@cdys.ie, 0868274863 or @joeyouthwork for tickets Pride Banner Making 6:30 PM–8:00 PM | LINQ Ireland Gay Project: QueerVibes Cork Pride Bingo 6:00 PM–10:00 PM | The Old Town Whiskey Bar at Bodega
Cork Pride: Pride on Tour Cork County Frontrunners & Briskwalkers Cork Pride 5K 11:00 AM | Kennedy Park Cork Pride: Rainbow Umbrella Market 11:00 AM–5:00 PM | Civic Trust House Queer Bike Rides: Greenway Cycle to Passage West 10:30 AM | Start: Marina Market Frontrunners & Briskwalkers 5K After Party 6:00 PM | Deep South
1 AUGUST
3 AUGUST
Pride x PRISMA Short Film Night 8:30 PM–11:00 PM | The Pavillion
FRIDAY
SUNDAY
27 JULY
30 JULY
Gay Project: GOLD Café For Older Men: Pride Brunch 12:00 PM–3:00 PM | Turner’s Cross Community Centre Sexual Health Centre: Makeup Masterclass: Your Pride Look 2:00 PM | Meeting Room, Sexual Health Centre LINQ: Book Club 7:00 PM–8:30 PM | LINQ Ireland The Big Queer Debs 8:30 PM–late | The Pavillion Fiesta Latina (Pride Edition!) 9:00 PM–late | Crane Lane Theatre
LINQ: Queers and Croissants 11:00 AM–12:30 PM – LINQ Ireland Cork Pride Parade Assemble 1:00 PM, Move 2:00 PM | Grand Parade
SUNDAY
WEDNESDAY
Cork Ramblers Social Walk – Meeting at 11:00 AM | Midleton Train Station Cork Hellhounds RFC: Tag Rugby Tournament 10:30 AM–5:30 PM | Virgin Media Park Litreacha: Queer Open Mic 8:00 PM | Nudes Craft & Cocktail Lipstick and Lemons: A Space to Write 2–4 PM | Civic Trust House
LINQ: Rainbow Lunch 12:00 PM–2:00 PM | LINQ Ireland Mayfield Pride Crafting Evening 5:30 PM–8:00 PM | Mayfield Arts Centre Rainbow DiverseAbilities: Pride Online Social 7:00 PM–8:30 PM | Online | Email rainbowda@gayproject.ie to register Cork Pride: Fearless Future: Celebrating LGBTQ+ trailblazers and Allies in Irish Sport 7:30 PM–9:00 PM | River Lee Hotel Sexual Health Centre: Cork Pride Poetry Slam 8:00 PM–10:00 PM | Nudes Craft & Cocktail An Evening With Wee Daniel 8:30 PM | The Pavillion UV Rave 11pm | Wilde
Cork Pride: Party at the Port 3:00 PM | Kennedy Quay Mockie Ah! Pride Party 9:00 PM–late | The Pavillion Panic at the Drag Show 9:00 PM | Fred Zeppelins
East to West Rock Legends Unite! 9:00 PM–late | Crane Lane Theatre
28 JULY
Cher Tribute 10pm | Wilde
MONDAY
WEEK LONG-EVENTS
Check out corkpride.com for tickets and more details on all events!
Sexual Health Centre: Mindful Monday Meditation 5:30pm-7:00PM | Meeting Room, Sexual Health Centre Gay Project & LINQ Ireland: Empowered Choices 2: Ember- LGBTI+ End Of Life Guide Info Session 6:00 PM–8:30 PM | CCFET: Douglas Street Campus
12 Pubs of Pride Various | Cork Heritage Pubs
Cork Pride & Cork LGBT Archive: Marriage Equality...10 Years On Community Exhibition 29th July–2nd August | St Peter’s, North Main St
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SMASHING
STEREOTYPES! IT’S GREAT TO SHOUT ABOUT
At Gilead Sciences, we are committed to creating a work environment that is representative of the diverse communities that we serve. We invest in our workforce to advance inclusion, equity and bold ideas that can help make the world a better, healthier place. As we mark the 25th anniversary of our operations in Ireland, Cork Pride is an opportunity for us to celebrate and acknowledge our colleagues, and our long-standing relationships with the LGBTQ+ community. Our employees are actively engaged in and shape our inclusion and diversity efforts through our Employee Resource Groups (ERG). Gilead’s Pride Alliance is dedicated to recognising and protecting equal rights for all individuals, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation and is established in 18 sites worldwide, with more planned. At our Cork sites, Gilead’s Pride Alliance celebrates diverse identities on a year-round basis to ensure that our LGBTQ+ employees and allies can be their authentic selves.
As an organisation, we encourage individuals to bring their whole self to work. We want all of our employees to embrace and leverage each other’s talents and perspectives, foster a sense of belonging and achieve their full career potential. In line with our inclusivity commitments, we are delighted to support this year’s Cork Pride and look forward to continued strong links with the LGBTQ+ community.
GILEAD SCIENCES CELEBRATING 25 YEARS IN IRELAND • 550+ full-time staff
The Pride Alliance ERG gives us the opportunity to gain knowledge locally and
internationally, then share what we have learned to help every- one understand why Pride events are still happening. It is important to
• Four offices, in Cork and Dublin • €300 million invested in Ireland • Leader in HIV and viral hepatitis
allow everyone, no matter how they identify, to have a forum to see we are all diverse, and to be comfortable being yourself. The benefits of inclusion and diversity to an organisation’s success are well known. Representation and varied viewpoints allow for greater innovation ability and flexibility to diversify into different areas of thought. Pride and the Pride activities throughout the year support this and also personally let me learn more about myself and discover more about others. I feel everyone deserves the same opportunity. SEÁN Ó DONNABHÁIN , Financial Specialist & Pride Alliance Lead
• Pioneered CAR T-cell therapy with Kite • Growing portfolio in cancer therapies • Zero waste to landfill from Cork plant • 2000+ solar panels
Now in its third year, our Smashing Stereotypes series aims to encourage greater understanding and inclusion internally by inviting our colleagues to hear from members of various com- munities.
Events such as Pride remind society of the strides we have made, but also the distance still to go in advocating for the LGBTQ+ community. As a member of the Cork Gilead Sciences leadership team, my role is to protect and advocate our
It’s so fantastic to see how much inclusion and diversity have progressed over the years so that we live in a society where all people are accepted and celebrated. It’s heartwarming to know that the future for our families and friends is bright, with op-
company’s values, inclusion being at the core. Allies listen, support, and stand up for colleagues, helping to amplify all voices and experiences. Allyship is a continuous journey of learning and growing, striving to influence positive changes in our society and within our organisations. A more inclusive working environment allows everybody to thrive and elevates us all. AOIFE MARRINAN , Senior Director, Legal
portunities and acceptance for all. So much credit is due to events like Pride that promote visibility, create positive energy and provide events that everyone can participate in. I’m proud to work in Gilead where inclusion and diversity are actively promoted and supports are in place for Employee Resource Groups such as the Pride Alliance. We all benefit so much from this culture. DENISE MCSWEENEY , Associate Director, Validation
Gilead Cork Pride mag DPS_April 2024.indd 2
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TRANS REVISIONISM: HOW AMERICA IS ERASING TRANS PEOPLE FROM PUBLIC LIFE By Barbara O’Sullivan, Trans+ Pride Cork
or natural. What this means in practice, as one opponent of the bill described; if he as a trans man, who has had a double mastectomy to achieve a more typical male chest were to be seen without a shirt, even when mowing his backyard and a neighbour happened to see him, he could be arrested in his own home. Proponents of the bill, such as Idaho Freedom Foundation Director of Legislative Affairs Fred Birnbaum, claim the bill would protect children. “What this bill is about, is restoring decency and community standards of behaviour.” The fact is the reason this bill even came to be was because Nampa City Council member Sebastian Griffin brought it forward after seeing a shirtless woman minding her own business at a local Pride event. When he complained to a police officer he was told that what she was doing wasn’t illegal as in their eyes she was born male and simply had “enhancements” AKA a trans woman with a breast augmentation. A first violation of this indecent exposure law is a misdemeanour crime. A second offence within five years is a felony. Among all these changes perhaps one of the most outrageous is the erasure of trans and queer people from government websites. The attempted scrubbing of their own history. Some examples include, the State Department’s web page providing adoption information to LGBTQI+ prospective parents now addresses only ‘LGB’ people. Informational pages for visitors are now for ‘LGB Travellers’ and mentions of the words transgender and queer were removed from a website dedicated to Stonewall National Monument. The very people who stood up in spite of not only anti- homosexuality laws at the time but also ‘anti-crossdressing’ laws known as the three article rule or the masquerade laws; who fought alongside other queer people to change how they were treated by society. Meanwhile, in a historic first, a Democratic candidate from Delaware, Sarah McBride became the first trans woman to be elected to congress. However, it wasn’t long before speaker of the house Mike Johnson released a statement that he will be treating the congresswoman as a male. Already, McBride and any trans staffers in the Capitol building have faced an
onslaught of discriminatory actions from republican officials, including Republican congresswoman Nancy Mace who has not only hung up handmade signs outside of women’s restrooms to indicate they were only for use by “biological women”, she has also repeatedly used a derogatory slur aimed at trans people during official proceedings. In the Quay Co-op, overlooking the weekly Palestinian rally, I sat down with Cedar Monroe to get his perspective. Raised in the rural county of Grays Harbour in the state of Washington, Cedar is a trans man who came to Ireland in September of last year to study for a PhD programme in UCC, focusing on pagan and nature based religions in relation to environmental activism. “When it was time to look for programmes”, he told me, “it was very clear the climate in the United States was changing really rapidly, particularly towards trans people.” This, he says, is not how it’s always been. “There seemed to be a moment in time where there was greater acceptance in the US around 2010 to 2015/16. States were passing more protections including Washington state which led a lot of efforts, particularly for trans people.” As was the case for a lot of people, Cedar transitioned during the height of the Covid pandemic. We discussed how the lockdown was a time of reflection and change for so many, but not always for the better. “Covid opened up an opportunity for the far right in the US to expand their platform. Because of neo-liberal policy over the last 50 years imposed by the UK and the US on the rest of the world, it created this crisis where people know things aren’t okay because they can’t afford groceries and they’re unable to find housing. When people are struggling, it’s really easy to feed them conspiracy theories, enemies, to deflect away from those who hold all the money and power.” The concerning link between the extremist groups in Ireland and those in the UK and US has been closely monitored for a few years now as we have seen an increase in far right players both on our streets and in our elections. In 2022, The Global Project Against Hate and Extremism voiced concern for this “disturbing trend.” In 2024, publications such as the Irish Times and Wired reported about calls
between American extremists such as Los Angeles based Klan member, Frank Silva, QAnon promotor Jeffrey Pedersen, as well as Jon Minadeo II, the leader of the virulently antisemitic Goyim Defense League all having calls with and giving advice to groups in Ireland. Cedar described life in the US for trans people right now as unpredictable. “People are terrified and many hope to leave the country as soon as possible.” This doesn’t come without its barriers, as passports are now being changed to reflect the persons assigned sex at birth, regardless of a legal gender marker change. This can lead to dangerous situations if a trans person were faced with hostile police officers, TSA agents, or border control. Right now there are no countries that are accepting American transgender people as asylum seekers as the situation has not been deemed bad enough. Meanwhile, medical practitioners, children’s hospitals, and planned parenthood have all begun preemptively rolling back providing trans healthcare as a way to preserve funding amidst the onslaught of cuts from the current administration. Federally funded care such as Medicaid or Medicare also no longer provide any support. To live not knowing which of your rights will be taken away tomorrow has left thousands of Americans unsure of what the future holds. As America grows closer to erasing trans people from public life and the UK follows suit, it is imperative that allies stand up and are vocal in their support for trans people. Not just those they know personally, or because a law could be interpreted to discriminate against a cis person, but because transgender people deserve to live happy, fulfilling, normal lives, free of fear, free of violence, free of hatred.
world watched as it became clear who had won the race. Mere months into his second term, there have been dire consequences for not only transgender citizens in the US but also for millions of other minorities. The Trevor Project, an organisation for LGBTQ+ youth in America, saw an increase of between 200 and 700% in the week leading up to and just after the election. A study conducted in the peer-reviewed journal, Nature Human Behaviour, found that the rise in anti-trans legislation between 2018 and 2022 increased the rate of suicide attempts among trans and non binary youth by up to 72%. In the time between November and January there was much speculation about what Trump would actually do, and how much of his campaign was just talk; but for those who read the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, the plan ahead was clear. According to translegislation.com, in 2025, 859 bills are under consideration across the country that would negatively impact trans and gender non-conforming people. 83 of which have passed so far this year. This number is anticipated to grow in what is the fifth consecutive
record-breaking year for anti-trans legislation. To give you an idea of the types of restrictions being implemented, within the first week of taking office Trump signed several executive orders, among those were orders declaring the official policy of the United States is that there are ‘only two sexes’. He also restricted gender- affirming healthcare for transgender people under the age of 19, and scrapped all DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programmes in both government and in the armed services. Another is set to ban trans people from serving in the military: “A man’s assertion that he is a woman, and his requirement that others honour this falsehood, is not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member.” This mischaracterisation will affect over 15,000 service members as well as any family members, on their healthcare plan, as well as trans veterans. In more recent weeks, Idaho Governor Brad Little signed into law a bill that criminalises the public exposure of breasts. House Bill 270 updates Idaho’s indecent exposure law to include stricter bans on breasts of all kinds, whether cis or trans, surgically altered
In the last ten years, the spotlight on transgender people has increased exponentially. Now, more so than ever, the community is being targeted politically. Not just with discriminatory policy changes hidden in larger bills, but as one of the foremost parts of an election campaign. According to ad tracking firm AdImpact, during the 2024 US election while campaigning for Donald Trump, the Republican Party spent approximately $215 million dollars on running anti-trans campaign ads across America. With the Democratic Party avoiding this divisive issue altogether, these attack ads were able to speak for them. In swing states, television ads such as ‘Kamala is for They/Them, President Trump is for you’ were seen over 30,000 times. As the numbers began to come in on the 5th of November, with bated breath the
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TRADE UNIONS AND PROGRESS FOR LGBT+ PEOPLE: A PROUD HISTORY By Kieran Rose (he/him)
The trade union movement was hugely important in progress for LGBT+ people in Ireland from the early 1980s when we had few supporters but many powerful enemies. This history is largely unrecognised and unwritten, significant exceptions to this are Orla Egan and the Cork LGBT archive, and Dr. Patrick McDonagh’s great research in his book ‘Gay and Lesbian Activism in the Republic of Ireland, 1973-93’ (2021). Crucial moments were the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and LGPSU resolutions of 1982, the ICTU lesbian and gay rights seminar of 1985, the Employment Equality Agency under the leadership of Sylvia Meehan in 1986 supporting sexual orientation to be included in its legislation, the publication of the ICTU policy ‘Lesbian and Gay Rights Seminar and Gay Rights in the Workplace: Guidelines for Negotiators’ in 1987, and the Civil Service anti-discrimination policy of 1988. All contributed significantly to later progress such as; Labour Party Equal Status Bill 1990 including sexual orientation, the equality-based gay law reform in 1993, the inclusion of sexual orientation in the Unfair Dismissals Act 1993, and later Equality legislation. The trade union movement also played a crucial role in the achievement of Civil Partnership in 2010 and the successful Yes Equality Referendum of 2015, as well as progress on Transgender issues. The First National Gay Conference was held in Connolly Hall, Cork City in 1981 and had a Trade Union Workshop which I chaired, it made a number of key recommendations including stating that
employment rights should be a priority for the gay movement, recognising the central role of trade unions in defending and advancing the rights of workers and calling on lesbians and gay men to be active in their Unions, and calling on all trade unionists to support lesbian and gay workers. It condemned the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) for not sending a Motion on LGBT workers proposed by David Norris and passed by IFUT, to the ICTU Annual Conference as required by the Motion. It also set out that the Cork Gay Collective would be the information centre for work with trade unions. Later in the year ICTU held its Annual Conference in City Hall Cork and the Cork Gay Collective lobbied the delegates including informing them that they should have a Motion before them on LGBT issues passed by IFUT. In 1982 the Cork Branch of LGPSU adopted a Motion proposed by myself and Tricia Tracey calling for gay law reform, and amendments to the Unfair Dismissals Act, the Employment Equality Act and legislation dealing with the employment of civil servants, the armed forces, and the Gardai to prevent discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. It was my first time speaking at a trade union meeting. Arthur Leahy and Laurie Steele and others who were renovating the Quay Coop building at the time came along in their work clothes to give me moral support which I much appreciated.
Only one person spoke against our Motion and he came up to me after the meeting saying in a smarmy way ‘no hard feelings’, I replied ‘no problem, we won’. This Motion later became the programme of GLEN when it was established in 1988, and was largely achieved in the 1990s with an equality- based gay law reform, amendments to the Unfair Dismissals Act, and Equality legislation introduced. The motion got high profile and positive media coverage (unusual at the time) especially in the Cork Examiner when it was adopted at the LGPSU Annual Conference in May 1982. It got ‘overwhelming support’, and was passed by the ‘vast majority’ after ‘a contentious debate’. One delegate said that; ‘if Cork has a problem with homosexuality then let them go away and solve them quietly without publicity’. Tom Bogue, President of the Union, spoke strongly in favour of the motion saying ‘we have a repressed minority’. I worked with Tom in Cork County Council and he was a great supporter, especially when I publicly came out. I was elected to the Cork Branch committee of the LGPSU and attended my first Annual Delegate Conference in Bundoran in 1984 where I organised a workshop on lesbian and gay workers. I went to a workshop on Miscarriages of Justice such as the Birmingham Six, a delegate who was also a Worker’s Party activist, came up to me quite angry and said he was not have gone to my gay workshop if he knew I was going to go to the Birmingham Six workshop
(for some at the time if you were a supporter of the Birmingham Six you were a ‘crypto-Provo). Government Ministers usually addressed Annual Conferences but with Phil Flynn recently appointed General Secretary, Government Ministers refused to attend because he was also Vice-President of Sinn Fein, Michael D Higgins addressed the Conference instead. At a Conference sing-song was the first time I realised how emotional it was to be in a large group singing the Fields of Athenry. I became a LGPSU delegate to the Cork Council of Trade Unions and witnessed a very robust, even angry debate between the delegates on the proposed Abortion Amendment to the Constitution. Eventually the chair stood up to bring order to the meeting but the delegates kept on arguing and the chair said ‘In my Union when the Chair stands up everyone shuts up, but not you’. The trade union movement was a leading force in the Anti Amendment Campaign. The Cork Gay Collective
more or less disbanded to concentrate on the Cork campaign.
for Equality: Then, now, and in the future’. This event also marked the formal establishment of the Fórsa LGBT Network, a very important initiative that has great potential. The harassment of Public Library staff and customers by far-right homophobic groups was also addressed at the meeting with speakers including David Rinehart on the campaigning work of the Queer Library Alliance. I was honoured that the Irish Labour History Society asked me to give their Annual Lecture in April 2024 on the history of trade unions and LGBT campaigning together in Ireland. The Trade Union movement and LGBT people have been working together for progress over more than 40 years with Cork leading the way, and the future for our continued work is looking good. The booklet ‘Trade Unions and Progress for LGBT People’ and other trade union related material is available on www.kieranrose.ie
I wrote an article for the LGPSU magazine ‘The Reporter’ in October 1984. Also in 1984 I was sponsored by the Cork Branch and the Executive Council of the LGPSU to attend the NALGO (a public sector trade union similar to the LGPSU) Lesbian and Gay Conference in Manchester. We learned a lot from British lesbian and gay trade union groups as they were more developed than we were, and they had great publicity material. The London-based ‘Gay Rights at Work’ group came to the First National Gay Conference and we later used their pamphlet a lot (Laurie Steele is holding it in the photo outside City Hall). There was an active Miners Support Group in Cork and I was involved in that campaign` In November 2024 I was delighted that Fórsa trade union launched my booklet ‘Trade Unions and Progress for LGBT People’ at their seminar ‘Organising
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At Bord Gáis Energy we believe in a workplace where everyone can bring their whole selves to work.
At Bord Gáis Energy we believe in a workplace where everyone can bring their whole selves to work.
Proud to be supporting our LGBTQ+ colleagues.
Proud to be supporting our LGBTQ+ colleagues.
A FIX OF LIGHT
By Kel Menton (they/them)
the wet sand. Summers were bright, so painfully wonderfully bright, and full of love and magic. Did I mention magic? Magic was everywhere when I was a kid. Magic was transformation and secret worlds superimposed on this one – again I think about two photos taken on the same film. I just had to look further, look beyond, keep pressing my nose where it didn’t belong, and eventually I would break through. The misery of my adolescence meant I stopped seeking out magic in my surroundings, even though the sun and sea and trees hadn’t gone anywhere. I just started to notice the clouds and concrete and cold. The light drained from the world, the colours grew duller. I was learning things about myself that I wasn’t sure I could ever share. I missed being a kid. I kept stories with me, though. I read and read and read, and sometimes I’d come across a queer character and a jolt would go through me. There I am! There’s my secret!! I wasn’t a teenager that long ago, but it was harder to find queer characters even then. It was also hard to find a story with a queer character that wasn’t just about them coming out. Thank goodness, then, that I wanted to be a writer, and I wasn’t too bad if I said so myself. If I couldn’t find any Irish queer characters, I was gonna write them myself. They were going to have a magical summer romance, and they were going to break through that barrier between the mundane and the fantastic. These boys were going to have everything I wanted for myself. Hanan arrived first, with his powers and his living room. Pax appeared not long after. Where one goes, the other follows, inside the story and out. It felt a little like two friends had strolled into my life. Wherever I went, they trailed behind me; always at the back of my thoughts, or lingering in my peripheral vision. It sounds pretentious and false when writers say how vividly alive their characters become, but it does truly feel like you have been spending time
with real, actual people. Hanan and Pax became my friends, my peers, as well as the (unfortunate?) vehicles of my thoughts and feelings. Being a miserable queer teenager when I started writing A Fix of Light meant that I didn’t know how to give it a hopeful ending until years later. When you feel like crap and you’re figuring out your sexuality and your gender and everything is overwhelming, it is almost impossible to imagine a world where you feel okay, or safe. For a while, I believed ‘happy’ was too much to hope for; ‘okay’ was more achievable, but only just. I didn’t want that for Hanan and Pax. I didn’t want to write that for them. Luckily, tempus fugit . It felt like eons, but I wasn’t a teenager forever. Life happened. I fell in love. I came out. I made friends. I got help. Eventually I achieved ‘okay’, and ‘happy’ started to feel like something even I could attain. That’s what they mean when they say to “write what you know”, I think. Once I’d experienced it, I could imagine it for Hanan and Pax. I could see a hopeful future for them, and it didn’t feel forced or trite. It felt real. That’s what I want to give the reader, too. A Fix of Light is a dark book, there’s no denying that, but in the end I want readers to be left…hopeful. Assured. Like you’ve turned your face to the sun, and can feel the promise of its warmth. BIO Kel Menton (they/them) is a non-binary writer from Cork, Ireland. They enjoy collecting fox paraphernalia, reading tarot, and dying their hair peculiar colours. A Fix of Light is their first novel (Little Island, Feb 2025). Insta: @poetryofkel Bluesky, TikTok, Substack: kelmenton Carrd: kelmenton.carrd.co SOCIALS
“Hanan is supposed to be dead. The forest outside Skenashogue sent him home alive – but changed. A strange new magic makes every emotion a physical force he can’t control. Bright and gentle, fox-like Pax is everything Hanan is not. And when he touches Hanan he mutes his secret power, quiets the curse. To survive their own darkness they’ll need to open up to each other. But Hanan isn’t sure Pax will like what he finds out ... “CAN THEIR LOVE HELP THEM FIND THEIR WAY BACK TO THE LIGHT?” Look, maybe it seems a little uninspired to set your first novel in the county you grew up in. It’s sickening to realise you fit neatly into a stereotype – a Corkonian who loves Cork? How inspired. Would you believe me if I told you it wasn’t on purpose? It’s not my fault that Cork happens to be, like, full of magic. As a kid it felt like an impossibly big place; we’d swim in the sea and go into the city and get lost in forests and stop for sweets in Gaeltachts all in the same county. Sometimes I still feel like Cork is stupid big. And I go to all of these same places, now, as an adult, and the memories of my childhood bleed through like two photos taken on the same roll of film. My mom would point at plants that were more likely to have fairies hidden inside; my grandmother would tell me about a ghost that haunted a local bridge; my aunt helped me and my cousins write messages to mermaids in
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Proudly Supporting Cork Pride 2025
At Musgrave, we are delighted to celebrate Pride and show our support for the LGBTQ+ community . It is a time to celebrate our LGBTQ+ community, acknowledge the progress made, reflect on the work that still lies ahead and renew our commitment to fostering inclusion, not just during Pride but throughout the year.
“Thank you to our PRISM / LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group (ERG) members and allies for their ongoing efforts in advocating for the LGBTQ+ community and creating a more inclusive workplace for all.”
Interested in joining the Musgrave team, check out opportunities here
www.musgravegroup.com/careers
AN INTERVIEW WITH
Dee Finn (she/her) in conversation with Haus of Schiaparelli
But we are always inspired firstly and foremost by the rich tradition of ballroom culture which encourages pushing the boundaries of artistry and self-discovery. Much like a majority of queer culture, ballroom influences everything that we do from the categories to the themes. The flamboyant self expression is something we aim to recreate through all our events. The Haus started very small. When throwing out first ball Royalty in 2023, we noticed that there was something missing from queer nightlife in Dublin, it was a bit of a gamble because ballroom isn’t that heard of in Ireland, However, the more we got into it the more fun we started to have and we wanted to keep going. We became passionate about bringing ballroom to Ireland in a way that is enjoyable for our community and we still very much are.
Red Umbrella Eireann. Alongside the balls we’ve also been able to host a few classes and we have definitely noticed an increased interest in ballroom amongst our community. We plan to continue developing with exciting events outside of the balls but also more balls, with newer themes and greater vibes. We have a good team and support system in place. We are constantly developing our skills and hoping to widen our reach across Ireland.
What is the Haus of Schiaparelli? Haus of Schiaparelli, a Kiki House founded on the rich tradition of Ballroom culture and the queer desire to push the boundaries of artistry and self-discovery. We are an organisation dedicated to bringing queer ballroom culture to Ireland. Where did it get its name from? The name itself, Haus of Schiaparelli, came from the legendary fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli, known for her avant-garde designs and fearless approach to fashion. Voguing is intimately connected to luxury and fashion. Many vogue houses have historically named themselves after iconic fashion designers; we are simply following tradition. What inspired the creation of the Haus and how did it get started? It’s safe to say we take inspiration from a few different places whether speaking to our events or us as a house. We obviously take inspiration from Elsa Schiaperelli, we always draw inspiration from her audacity and flair.
What happens at Haus of Schiaparelli events? What can a new attendee expect?
We always aim to try something new, meaning that no two events will ever be the same! But to give a run down of a “Typical” Haus of Schiaparelli event, We usually start the night with a market, our last three markets have included vendors who donate a portion of their earnings to a charity we support. Then, the MC will introduce themselves and tell the audience to sit down and prepare the first category which typically introduces the house and the judges for the evening.
How has it developed since it started?
We would say we have achieved so much in so little time. As of now, we are going into our third year as a Haus! Since our first ball, we have thrown 2 more, one being a collaboration with
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