No: 28 Leo Varadkar Comes Out 2015

Firsts matter to us. The first time each of us discovered who we were, the first time we realised we were not the only ones, our first crush, date and kiss. The firsts of our lives change and shape us. Society firsts matter to us too, and that is certainly the case with the world of politics.

When David Norris became the first out gay political representative to be elected, it was an important moment in this country. It opened a whole new world of what was possible for a generation of LGBT+ people. He was followed, many years later, by out candidates John Lyons, Dominic Hannigan and Katherine Zappone, while Jerry Buttimer became the first in situ TD to come out. They proved that there was a place for us in the world of politics. That we could stand proudly and be elected to our parliament, to play our role in the community we loved. But perhaps none grabbed our attention, and the attention of the world, more than Leo Varadkar.

It was a fresh Sunday morning in 2015 when Leo told us that Ireland finally had its first out gay cabinet minister. The venue was an interview with our mammy-in-chief, Miriam O’Callaghan. It would be fair to say that across the country thousands of people spurted their cornflakes back onto their spoon when Leo calmly told Miriam that he was indeed a gay man. Leo Varadkar? Surely not.

It took real political courage. In the pre-marriage equality world, gay was still a high-risk word inside the corridors of power. For someone as ambitious as Leo there was no reason to think that this might not be politically fatal.

It also, and more importantly, took real personal courage. We all remember the butterflies in our stomachs the day we first told our best friend who we were, the swarm of butterflies the day we told our parents. Leo had to tell a nation. He did so not knowing how people would react, what impact it would have on his life, his family and his career. Miriam teed up the question. Leo demurred. She had another go. Again demurred. Then he went for it. In one sentence he smashed one of the great pink ceilings. In Ireland you could be LGBT+ and be a minister.

It was an important moment for LGBT+ people in Ireland, but it was also a moment for the country. How would Ireland react to this? Ireland stepped up and reminded us all of who we are on our best days. We met his story with empathy, understanding and outstretched arms. In doing so, we brought hope, joy and encouragement to thousands. This was your country too. There are no places you cannot go, no ambition you cannot aspire to.

That Sunday morning, Leo leaped and we shone.

Within a year we became the first country in the world to enshrine equality for our LGBTI friends, neighbours and family members in our constitution. We had extended the same compassion and generosity to LGBTI people as we did to Leo that morning.

Within two more Leo became Taoiseach – a political journey that was inconceivable for most of our history. What would have formerly ended a political career seemed to no longer matter. Of course, that is not totally true; attitudes can change slowly and barriers don’t disappear instantly, but so many of them were swept away that day.

Firsts matter. Without them there can never be a second.