ABOUT
STAND STRONG TOGETHER BY ORLA EGAN We joke that we have the same name, Orla and Rola Same letters, jumbled up differently Irish roots, Palestinian roots Two Cork women standing strong Entwined in our commonalities, Connections Feminists, Parents Authors, Activists But they only see our differences
Orla Egan is an Activist, Author, Documentary Filmmaker and the Founder of the Cork LGBT Archive, where she works to ensure that Cork Queer History is impossible to ignore. She is the author of Queer Republic of Cork (2016), Diary of an Activist (2023) and her poems have been published in Washing Windows III (2023) and in Washing Windows V (2025). She is the Director of the documentaries LOAFERS (2023), and I’m Here, I’m Home, I’m Happy (2021). Orla is part of the Cork LGBTQI+ For Palestine group and has been attending the Cork Palestinian Solidarity marches that have been taking place weekly since the escalation of the Israeli occupation and genocide in October 2023. Cork queers have been standing on Cork streets in solidarity with Palestine for decades. Arthur Leahy, in particular, has worked tirelessly to ensure that Palestine has never been forgotten in Cork. Orla addressed the Cork Palestine Solidarity march in July 2024 and read this poem Stand Strong Together. The poem is inspired by Orla’s friendship with Cork Palestinian activist Rola Hamed O’Neill. The poem focuses on themes of solidarity, intersectionality and mutual support. Solidarity is so important in the face of prejudice; it is so important that we stand strong together. We have seen time and time again the attempts to pitch people against one another to distract from those who are actually causing the problems. We have seen attempts by Israel to pink- wash: to pretend that they are gay-friendly and that queers should support them and not Palestine. We have seen the sick sights of Israeli soldiers posing with rainbow flags on top of the destroyed homes and lives of Palestinians. Orla is passionate about the need for Cork queers to stand in solidarity with Palestine, to show our horror at the ongoing genocide and to reject Israel’s attempts at PINKWASHING, at suggesting that they are a safer haven for queers, in an attempt to distract from their ongoing atrocities in Palestine. As we know, no-one is safe in Palestine, whether you are gay or straight, cis or trans, child or adult. It is also a reminder that solidarity goes both ways. Those involved in other campaigns, including the Irish Palestinian support movement, need to also show their solidarity and to always stand up against homophobia, transphobia, biphobia wherever they encounter it. We need to understand the interconnectedness of all our struggles and that we can’t fight for the rights of some, we must include all. We need to Stand Strong Together.
One taller, one shorter One white, one brown, One queer, one straight ‘Do you know in Palestine they’d stone you for being queer’ They warn me As if homophobia, transphobia, biphobia Do not exist In Israel, Ireland, UK and USA They warn me when I share photos ‘Free Free Palestine’ ‘Stop Genocide Now’ ‘Stop Genocide Now’ ‘IDF and the USA – how many kids have you killed today’ Of striding proudly with my rainbow Keffiyeh Behind the Cork Queers for Palestine banner
How many kids have you killed today? They sow seeds of division and hate Attempt to divide us Pitch us against each other Shift focus from their atrocities How many kids have you killed today? But we continue To stand entwined With love and respect
For our differences Our commonalities Our shared humanity
SOCIALS
Queer Rights Now Free Free Palestine
Website: orlaegancork.com Instagram: @orlaegan1
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