GCN is not just a magazine. We are a conversation. We are a siren. We are a call out. We are a message around the island. Samantha McCaffrey speaks to the community. Images by Neave Alouf.

GCN is distributed to a variety of places and people all around the island of Ireland. It is everywhere - from community centres in Mayo, libraries in Belfast, bars in Galway, youth projects in Wexford, LGBT+ projects in Cavan and cafes in Cork. We print 10,000 magazines every month and they go to 347 places around the island, south and north too.

We are definitely more available in cities and urban areas, with Dublin at the top of the list, but we’d like to change that.

In Dublin we can be found in 174 places throughout the city, in bookshops and lunch spots, colleges and hotels, as well as queer bars and LGBT+ organisations.

GCN are constantly looking at ways to develop and grow our visibility, especially in the towns and villages and suburbs beyond the city centres. Ireland has become more diverse and proud but coming out or being LGBT+ can still be a challenge.

There is something powerful about the magazine being seen more and more in the public sphere, being visible. Its presence communicates the acceptance and celebration of LGBT+ lives in Ireland.

Our magazine is not just interesting and fabulous, it has been, and continues to be, a lifeline for people - often for young people coming out and especially for those living in more remote areas.

Places that house our magazine are saying clearly that their place is LGBT+ friendly and welcoming and that is really important. They are also helping us evolve a vision for an Ireland that is open and supportive to LGBT+ lives and issues.

We now send our magazine to the library headquarters in nearly every county. That ensures that our magazine is out and available in every single library in the country. We send our magazine to youth projects such as those run by Foroige, Cross Care, Youth Work Ireland and CDYSB (City of Dublin Youth Services Board). We are in community centres and health projects, hospitals and universities, newsagents and arts centres around the country. We have found a home in some regional branches of the Samaritans too.

And we are still trying to spread the GCN word and magazine further and wider. So if you want us to send magazines to your community or if you have any recommendations for good homes around the country for us, please email me at samantha@gcn.ie and let us know!

Now, let’s hear from some of the people and places around Ireland who know how vital GCN is:

Eric Hennelly Flanagan

Marketing and Engagement Manager, VISUAL, Carlow.

I’ve known GCN for many years as an integral part of the LGBT+ community. When I took on the role of Marketing and Development Manager for Riverbank Arts Centre I got in touch with GCN to see if we could be added to the distribution list. I felt it was important for the centre to been seen as an inclusive space. A publicly funded arts centre’s remit is to be a civic place for the whole community in the broadest sense. We should reach all the community, and we should represent all the community.

The magazine’s presence in venues other than LGBT+ bars and clubs identifies us as an open place, a safe space and a supporter of the LGBT+ community. It speaks to how our country has progressed.

Having taken up the position of Marketing and Engagement Manager for VISUAL Carlow I was keen to once again have GCN magazine available to our community. It says that here is a place where everyone is welcome irrespective of orientation or background.

Carlow is unique, it is a small county but home to such diversity. This year marks the very first Carlow Pride Festival, which is such a great thing to see happen for the county!

Having GCN in VISUAL is like having the Rainbow Flag waving outside. This is a space for all.

Ger Cronin

Youth Information Coordinator, Kildare Youth Services.

We love the magazine, we display it in our centre windows and have it available to pick up or read in our centre.

We also ensure we have copies on display in our youth group spaces.

Kildare Youth Services not only work with specific LGBT+ groups, but we work with so many LGBT+ young people who are part of mixed groups or drop into our centre. We find that young people are a new generation, a generation of acceptance, diversity and equality. We can all learn from them.

Klaus Kristensen

Generator Hostel, Dublin 7.

The Generator Hostel can say with pride that we keep our GCN Magazine front and centre by our reception and in our bar area. Gay Community News is an essential item to introduce to our queer and diverse range of guests coming from around the world. We believe that love and information should be spread around the world and GCN helps us achieve that on a daily basis. This is our way of showing our Pride.

Paul Kernan

Pobail Le Chéile CDP, Donegal.

The visibility of GCN magazine in our community is just so important.

Our organisation has three community buildings around Falcarragh - the biggest town in the Donegal Gaeltacht.

In one building, we have a public accessible display in our window and GCN is there. We have two other community halls and GCN is on proud public display there too.

Taurean Coughlan

Two Boys Brew Café, Dublin 7.

Our country is booming at the moment with its wonderful culture and ever growing diversity. Sometimes, however, it can almost feel like everyone is being pulled apart with the busy lives we lead. Most people go to cafes to escape the outside world, to work or to feel part of a community, and this is hugely important for them. When we opened TBB, it was always our aim to become part of not only Phibsborough, but a place in the city that everyone would feel welcome. From day one it’s been our aim to be warm, friendly and inviting to everyone - especially those who are looking for a safe space to come and be themselves. The greatest gift in life is to be happy and comfortable in your own skin and that’s something we want people to feel when they step through our doors.

Aside from the fact that the magazine provides for some great reading for our customers, having GCN dotted about just shows those that visit us that we’re a safe space for the entire community.