Moreover, older members of our community struggled with isolation, many without families to support them and without access to the normal community services that they would attend. Others hit hard were those LGBT+ travellers and those in Direct Provision throughout this crisis – each facing a unique set of issues. Despite amazing work and efforts across the county to address the impact on older and younger people, it’s essential now that we give space to exploring just what the full extent of that impact is and what needs to happen next to mitigate it. Crucially we must also give space to inquire about those who were less visible and whose experience of the pandemic may not yet even be known. I COULDN’T HAVE PREDICTED THE CHANGES THAT WE’VE SEEN AND CONTINUED TO SEE ON THE GROUND FOR GBTQI+ MEN IN CORK’ “
The pandemic will have far-reaching side-effects for everyone in our LGBT+ family. Some of the lasting effects are sure to make us an even more inclusive family. For example, over the past 1.5 years, people from across Ireland and the world have participated in Gay Project’s online community events. For many, geography became less of a barrier to participation. Those in rural areas who have sometimes been beyond the reach of LGBT+ support services have been enabled to participate remotely for the first time. This is a game-changer for our community. Moreover, in another unprecedented turn, the pandemic gave rise to a mass exodus from urban centres. For the LGBT+ community who traditionally migrate from rural- urban areas this had a major impact. Many who had migrated for work were freed to work remotely and chose to do so from a tranquil countryside instead of an empty city. Others who lost their jobs decided to start again elsewhere. It’s clear that the reverse of this traditional trend will have a big impact on our community, time will tell just what that will look like for us here in Cork! Despite this, it’s essential that we don’t overlook those most evidently impacted by the crisis such as those older and younger people in our community. Many younger people felt trapped living at home in a sometimes hostile environment. The usual coming-of-age transition into adult life delayed by lockdowns leaving some of those vulnerable young people at home with unsupportive families.
What’s more, the enormous strength of our community has come to the fore during this unprecedented challenge! It was wonderful to see the show of solidarity and support amongst those in our community for those who most needed support. From the beginning, there were many who volunteered in our community and many who contributed well beyond our community in the broader life of Cork city and county. Examples include those who worked hard to develop new community groups such as Adam from the Cork Hellhounds whom we supported through Gay Project Community Affiliation Programme. Others included the volunteers who supported older members of our community during the pandemic in the form of digital literacy to support them in accessing services remotely. These examples and many serve as a
By Michael O Donnell June 2021
Community Development Worker with Gay Project
wonderful reminder just what strength our community holds and the impact we can make when we work together. This
When I wrote ‘Adapting To The New Normal’ in the 2020 Cork Pride Magazine, I couldn’t have predicted the changes that we’ve seen and continued to see on the ground for GBTQI+ men in Cork. While discussion and focus now move towards ‘coming out’ of this pandemic; the question for ours, and many other communities, is what next? And the answer is complex. We’ve been through so much together in the past year-and-a-half and we’ve felt every feeling imaginable from grief to relief. We must now allow time for healing, for assessing the full impact that this pandemic has had on each one of us and, crucially, we must allow time for hope.
altruistic tendency which has long been recognised in our community was clear to see in the pandemic
and I suspect will continue on well into the future!
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