BUILDING COMMUNITY: GAY PROJECT’S NEW HOME
By Konrad Im (he/him)
Project in 2019. This history of adaptability, resilience and change has paved the way for the exciting developments now underway. The new centre will include a welcoming community room, a community café space, and dedicated offices for Gay Project staff, designed with input and expertise from community members who have been involved in the planning and design process. Accessibility is a top priority to ensure the building is truly inclusive for all who walk through its doors. To help fund the vital works and renovations, Gay Project launched a new fundraising campaign in March 2025 called the Gay Card initiative. Supporters can purchase Full Access Membership (€150/year) or Limited Access Membership (€50/year), with Full Access card-holders receiving exclusive discounts at beloved local Cork businesses like Cork Flower Studio, Wilde, Ruairi’s Bakery, and Carbon Hair Design among many others. Other perks that card holders can expect include a Gay Project Goodie bags, exclusive Gay Card events and entries into regular prize raffles. A full list of participating partners and instructions to sign up is available on the Gay Project website at www.gayproject.ie/gaycard. As the building takes shape, so too does Gay Project’s team. In January 2025, two new staff members joined the team. Killian, the new Outreach and Education Community Development Worker, will lead initiatives supporting LGBTI+ individuals in rural Cork County and Kerry, bringing education and connection to communities that often face isolation. Kim Crowley has also come on board as the Administrative Officer, supporting the organisation’s operations, communications, and administrative tasks, both vital roles as Gay Project continues to expand. They join Nathan, Community Development Worker, who supports Gay Project’s mens health, social, sporting, and cultural groups, and Konrad, whose journey with the Gay Project began as a volunteer in 2015 and who stepped into the Manager role in January 2024.
After more than four decades of dedication, vision, and tireless community work, Gay Project has officially found a forever home. In October 2024, Gay Project secured its own premises at 10/10a High Street, Cork City, a historic milestone that marks a new era for the LGBTI+ community. Over the last few months, the former medical rooms and offices have been in the process of being transformed into a vibrant, inclusive community centre, accessible for all. The building will not only host events, workshops, and support groups, but also serve as a safe space for LGBTI+ individuals and allies across Cork and beyond. This achievement is the culmination of years of dedication by Gay Project stakeholders past and present, from early grassroots activists to today’s board, staff, and volunteers. Among those who have been instrumental in this journey is Arthur Leahy, whose vision for a dedicated LGBTI+ community space first took root just over 40 years ago. Arthur was honoured with turning the key to the building in October 2024 - a symbolic gesture representing the unlocking of a new chapter. “Having a permanent space is key for the Gay Project and the LGBTI+ Community in Cork. The feeling of entering a space where you feel at home, welcomed and supported no matter what is as important now as it was 20 years ago when I first stepped into The Other Place which was the original LGBTI+ Community Resource Centre in Cork.” - Stephen Spillane (Chairperson - Gay Project Board) Gay Project has long stood at the heart of LGBTI+ activism in Cork. Its roots trace back to the 1970s, when the first meetings were held as the Cork Naturist Club. The 1980s saw the establishment of the Cork Gay Collective, the Quay Co- op and Gay Health Action. In 1991, The Other Place opened as a resource centre for gay and lesbian individuals. The evolution continued in 2000 with the formation of the Cork Gay Community Development Company, eventually becoming Gay
AS CORK’S LGBTI+ POPULATION CONTINUES TO GROW, SO TOO DOES THE NEED FOR INCLUSIVE, ACCESSIBLE, AND EMPOWERING COMMUNITY SPACES…. “In the current political climate, where hard-won rights are being questioned and the safety of LGBTI+ people cannot be taken for granted, having a secure, community-owned centre is more than just bricks and mortar — it’s a statement. It says we belong, we endure, and we are building a future where our community can feel safe, visible, and empowered.” - Konrad Im (Manager - Gay Project). While the bricks and mortar of 10/10a High Street represent a physical home, the heart of the Gay Project lies in its community. When fully functional and open, the centre will provide drop- in hours, regular programming, and a family friendly community café space where conversation and connection can thrive, a testament to how far the LGBTI+ community has come, and a commitment to the work that still lies ahead. The new community centre building is expected to be ready for business in Autumn 2025 with works still ongoing. You can follow the journey on Gay Project social media platforms where ongoing updates will be shared.
SOCIALS
Instagram: @gayprojectirl Website: gayproject.ie Email: info@gayproject.ie Phone: 021 430 0430
82 corkpride.com
#CorkPride2025
83
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker