LINQ IRELAND – WHAT’S IN A NAME?
By LINQ Ireland
According to Shakespeare’s Juliet, names don’t matter much. She asks: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.” But those of us in the LGBTQI+ communities know how much the naming of things matters. When we take back the words used to hurt us, like queer, we reclaim our power. When our preferred pronouns are used and respected, we centre self-love and acceptance. We have a rainbow of identities, but we know that there are different experiences of homophobia and sexism across the spectrum of LGBTQI+. Feminism, which has had such a critical impact on politics, also teaches us that our identities are intersectional, and the naming of our class, our dis/abilities, our ethnicity, our gender and our sexuality are among the most important names we have to describe, understand, defend, and celebrate our lives. So, it is a big deal that our beloved LINC: Advocating for Lesbian and Bisexual Women in Ireland is blossoming into the new name of LINQ Ireland: Advocating for Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer Women, Trans and Non-Binary Inclusive. According to the EL*C, which is one of the world’s largest Lesbian* NGOs, LINQ Ireland appears to be the longest established lesbian centre in Europe and Central Asia. It is now almost thirty years old. When so many lesbian spaces; that is dyke bars, club nights,
bookstores, cafes, and community spaces, have disappeared in this age of global capitalism, patriarchal totalitarian leaders and their culture wars, we prevailed. The name change does not mark the end of an era but a confirmation of what was happening all along. LINQ Ireland lets the world know that there’s been a hub in Cork that has always understood the name “lesbian” as a broad inclusive umbrella term. LINQ Ireland understands that the name lesbian can provide shelter to bisexual and queer women (both cisgender and trans) and non-binary and intersex people, who feel a deep (if at times complicated) resonance with the name “lesbian”. The name LINQ Ireland makes it clear that we are a welcoming space for all who feel connected in varying complex ways to a sense of lesbian identity. LINQ Ireland is the place for those who are thrilled by lesbian activism (even if it is from an admiring distance). Most importantly, LINQ Ireland is there for all who want to engage in the joy and challenge of lesbian community- making. LINQ Ireland will continue to facilitate community development and remain a hub for so many gatherings and projects. Current programmes include providing space for groups to come together to do queer crafting, or enjoy games nights and trivia nights, or the book club meetings. The ever- popular drama group is where the thespians co-create their own plays and perform them to riotous applause
over a number of nights at the Cork Arts Theatre space. The online Irish language conversation group Ciorcal Comhrá, tugann sé deis do dhaoine ár dteanga dhúchais a chleachtadh agus a fheabhsú. LINQ Rebels soccer is going from strength to strength, with two upcoming tournaments this summer. LINQ Ireland also facilitates a Bi group, a potluck supper club, and an over-40s group – as well of course as providing a welcoming city-centre drop-in space and many annual calendar events such as Christmas parties, Women’s Weekend gatherings, and several activities and trips for queer parents and their children. Last year at the Galas, (Ireland’s national LGBTQ+ awards programme), the LINQ Ireland organised event, Q-Con won the top prize for event of the year. Q-Con is the National Queer Women’s Sexual Health and Wellbeing Conference and this year it will take place on the 13th and 14th of September, at the MTU, Cork School of Music. One of the confirmed key notes is the electrifying spoken word performer, Joelle Taylor, who won the T. S. Eliot Prize for C+nto: & Othered Poems. Next year, over 15-17th May, LINQ Ireland will be the community partner for the Lesbian Lives Conference when it comes back to UCC.
The future for LINQ Ireland is exciting. See you for Pride 2025!
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