From the team
Welcome, dear reader to the first issue of GCN, since March 2020.

After the fact
It’s not difficult to find articles and essays discussing historical figures as being LGBT+. But, as Brendan Fernando Kelly Palenque suggests, perhaps there is an error in posthumously assigning definite identities that could overlook more nuanced lives

Drag + Draw
Adrian Colwell shares how a life drawing class with drag models is opening minds and starting discussions on LGBT+ identities

Why the US Election matters for LGBT+ rights
The result of the upcoming American Presidential elections will have a huge knock-on effect for LGBT+ people across the globe. Katherine Zappone reports from Massachusetts where she is currently working on the Joe Biden Campaign

Live through this
Lisa Connell caught up with community leader and LGBT+ icon, Ailbhe Smyth, to talk about her experiences with the problematically titled ‘cocooning’ during the pandemic and the wider ramifications of how we treat older members of our community. Portraits by Hazel Coonagh

Hearts run free
Brainchild of photographer Niamh Barry, Queer Hearts of Dublin is an astounding portrait of young LGBT+ lives.

GAZE from home
As the GAZE International LGBT+ Film Festival makes the necessary move online due to Dublin entering Level 3, the team still promise a veritable feast of queer cinema for your delectation.

Queer Utopia
Queer Utopia is an exciting new collaborative project from GCN inviting LGBT+ artists, activists and makers to create work based on their responses to that boldest of imaginings - a Queer Utopia.

Pose a Question
Actress, comedian, singer, author, and activist, the multi-hyphenate and multitalented Sandra Bernhard has gained a new legion of fans due to her much-admired role in the groundbreaking television series, Pose.

A tale of two rallies
Orla Keaveney attended an anti-fascist, socially distanced rally in Dublin’s city centre.

Light As Air
With so much negativity invading our attention at the moment, one must always find the time to stop for beauty.

Keep Outhouse Open
Outhouse is delighted to announce their inaugural online fundraising event, Arthouse - a live and online contemporary art auction.

Community news/listings
Due to the current situation, we cannot print our usual community listings as many venues and clubs are in a state of flux due to lockdown regulations. In lieu of that, we share here a short round-up of some of the groups and venues who managed to continue throughout lockdown and some of the services they provided. If you would like your group or service to be included, contact us at info@gcn.ie. We will return to regular community listings when appropriate

Lockdown is a drag
Photographer Babs Daly teamed up with Irish drag legends Veda and Victoria Secret for socially distanced photoshoots during lockdown which reflected the present while also imagining the future. Sarah McKenna Barry chatted to all three about the necessity of making art during strange times

Speak out
With the situation for LGBT+ people in Poland becoming more precarious since the reelection of President Andrzej Duda, Noah Halpin, of This Is Me - Transgender Healthcare Campaign, speaks to LGBT+ people directly affected and shares the fact that Poland is the number one destination for Irish trans masculine people to access certain healthcare

CLUBBING IS CULTURE
Pre COVID-19, queer spaces, club spaces and cultural spaces were increasingly under attack from too many new hotels and co-living developments.