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389
In this edition
From The Team
Welcome, dear reader, to our January 2021 issue!
Access to Health
When Catherine E Hug, a writer for GCN based in the United States, had to access healthcare suddenly, the experience and the stigma attached to it caused her to think about how others may struggle in accessing the care they need
2020 in numbers
It’s been quite the year for GCN. Simliar to the organisations around the world, the pandemic brought about huge changes in the way we deliver our services as your national LGBTQ+ press. For many months, we had to put pause to our beloved print edition of the magazine due to COVID-19 restrictions (so you can imagine how delighted we are knowing this issue is out in the world!) but, as with many others, we also found ways to thrive. Here are just a few of our own personal highlights
#2020 QueerVision
It’s been a memorable year for Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community. Here are just some of the highlights that took place across the country over the past 365 days
The Park
When a piece of queer art caused a childhood memory to come flooding back, Hannah Tiernan reflected on the hidden meaning public spaces once had for gay people, and how they were viewed by outsiders
A State of Silence
Those who have survived institutional human rights abuses in Ireland refer to the saying ‘deny until we die’ - where the State and Church keep enacting policies and barriers until the problem goes away. In light of the Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters) Bill 2020, Oisin Kenny speaks with survivors and advocates about the ongoing tactics of silence and the need for accountability moving forward
Queer Utopia: Neave Alouf & Ollie Bell
Queer Utopia lives!
Queer Future:
Queer Utopia: Babs Daly & Stephen Moloney
Our second Queer Utopia team-up are the super talented duo, Babs Daly & Stephen Moloney
Utopian Possibilities
The trouble with something imagined is that it is likely
The Fight For Visibility
Empowering a multinational network of 21 organisations from across 10 countries, a new research project, Intersex - New Interdisciplinary Approaches, aims to shed light on the lived experiences of intersex people.
I Feel Zine
Expression and creativity outside the mainstream, targeting like-minds and fellow bold thinkers, zines are a blast of anarchic energy. With queer creations on the rise, Chris Rooke got the lowdown from some of the makers (who also kindly provided the images)
People MPower
The MPOWER team provide an essential service to gay and bisexual men and other MSM in Ireland, empowering them with sex-positive and judgement-free services and resources. Brendan Kelly Palenque spoke to some of the volunteers that make the service possible
Gold medal achievements
The past 12 months have been difficult for lovers of all things sport. While many LGBTQ+ inclusive clubs gathered for brief periods of training throughout the year, most of 2020 was spent apart. However, as Karina Muray describes, there were still a few notable events and 2021 will most definitely provide more opportunities for getting active!
Empathy, hope and queer joy will help us all to step boldly into 2021
As this unprecedented year comes to a close, Managing Editor Lisa Connell reflects on some of the lessons we have learned, and the role queer joy will play in the continuing fight for a better world for all of our diverse LGBTQ+ community
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#2020 QueerVision

It’s been a memorable year for Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community. Here are just some of the highlights that took place across the country over the past 365 days.

01

February

GALAS celebrated LGBTQ+ heroes

People, organisations and groups from across the country came together for an awards ceremony recognising those who make our beloved community great.

02

February

First same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland

Following long-awaited landmark legislation, Robyn Peoples and Sharni Edwards celebrated their wedding on February 11.

03

February

MPOWER launched

HIV Ireland launched a peer-led and community-based response to the sexual health and wellbeing needs of gay and bisexual men with an event in IMMA.

04

March and throughout

Community stayed strong

With the pandemic grinding much of the country to a halt, LGBTQ+ people, organisations and support groups across Ireland did what they could to help the community in the face of adversity. Here’s to you all.

05

June

Black Lives Matter

People across the country came out in support of Black Lives Matter, with hundreds gathering outside the US Embassy in Dublin at an event organised by Black Pride Ireland, MASI and MERJ.

06

June

Digital Pride

With Prides across the country refusing to let the pandemic keep them down, Dublin Pride went digital, with a host of events happening online, including a virtual Parade.

07

July

Pride Inside

Pride organisations from Kerry, Killarney, Galway, Limerick, Mayo and Black Pride Ireland collaborated on an epic online celebration - Pride Inside.

08

July

Irish same-sex parents recognised

Following the commencement of parts of the CFRA, some Irish same-sex couples, through retrospective declarations, are legally recognised as the parents of their children.

09

September

Queer-in-Progress

Project Arts Centre in Dublin was home to a beautiful exhibition as part of the Queer-in-Progress: Timeline - a research initiative expanding the narrative of Irish queer history.

10

September

Community supported Izzy Kamikaze

Following an attack on stalwart LGBTQ+ activist, Izzy Kamikaze, by far-right anti-mask protestors, the Irish queer community in their droves signed an open letter in a show of solidarity with Izzy.

11

October

Festival of Dangerous Ideas

The Gay Project in Cork announced a 12-week programme of unmissable online conversations about topics across the spectrum of LGBTQ+ life.

12

November

First LGBTQ+ GAA club

In a historic moment, Na Gaeil Aereacha (The Gay Gaels) was welcomed by the GAA, becoming the first LGBTQ+ club.

13

November

Intersex Day of Solidarity

Over 60 buildings in 19 counties across the island of Ireland were lit up in purple in solidarity with Ireland’s intersex community.

14

November

#IrishSolidariT

On November 20, Trans Day of Remembrance, multiple organisations and members of the Irish LGBTQ+ community signed a powerful open letter denouncing transphobia and strengthening community solidarity.

15

November

Queer Culture Ireland

A group for people interested in, working in or studying Irish Queer culture, history, art and heritage was launched.

16

November

Stand Up Awareness Week

BeLonG To called on second-level schools, youth services and Youthreach Centres across Ireland to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ identities and stop bullying.

17

November

Community called for reopening of GMHS

Following the Gay Men’s Health Service closure, with staff deployed to COVID-19 testing centres, a petition called on the HSE to reopen the essential service.

18

November

Life In Lockdown

LGBT Ireland, together with the NXF and GCN, released the results of their LGBTQ+ Life in Lockdown survey, detailing how the community has been affected by the pandemic.

19

December

Irish Names Quilt exhibition

On World AIDS Day, December 1, President Michael D Higgins addressed the nation, and an exhibition of the Irish Names Quilt by Queer Culture Ireland was unveiled at Filmbase in Dublin.

20

December

Taoiseach on delayed Trans Healthcare

Micheál Martin in the Dáil called for the publication of the long-delayed and misplaced Trans Healthcare report and the implementation of its recommendations.

2020 in numbers
It’s been quite the year for GCN. Simliar to the organisations around the world, the pandemic brought about huge changes in the way we deliver our services as your national LGBTQ+ press. For many months, we had to put pause to our beloved print edition of the magazine due to COVID-19 restrictions (so you can imagine how delighted we are knowing this issue is out in the world!) but, as with many others, we also found ways to thrive. Here are just a few of our own personal highlights
< Go to Previous Article
Gold medal achievements
The past 12 months have been difficult for lovers of all things sport. While many LGBTQ+ inclusive clubs gathered for brief periods of training throughout the year, most of 2020 was spent apart. However, as Karina Muray describes, there were still a few notable events and 2021 will most definitely provide more opportunities for getting active!
Go to Next Article >
Gold medal achievements
The past 12 months have been difficult for lovers of all things sport. While many LGBTQ+ inclusive clubs gathered for brief periods of training throughout the year, most of 2020 was spent apart. However, as Karina Muray describes, there were still a few notable events and 2021 will most definitely provide more opportunities for getting active!
Go to Next Article >
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From The Team
Welcome, dear reader, to our January 2021 issue!
Access to Health
When Catherine E Hug, a writer for GCN based in the United States, had to access healthcare suddenly, the experience and the stigma attached to it caused her to think about how others may struggle in accessing the care they need
2020 in numbers
It’s been quite the year for GCN. Simliar to the organisations around the world, the pandemic brought about huge changes in the way we deliver our services as your national LGBTQ+ press. For many months, we had to put pause to our beloved print edition of the magazine due to COVID-19 restrictions (so you can imagine how delighted we are knowing this issue is out in the world!) but, as with many others, we also found ways to thrive. Here are just a few of our own personal highlights
#2020 QueerVision
It’s been a memorable year for Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community. Here are just some of the highlights that took place across the country over the past 365 days
The Park
When a piece of queer art caused a childhood memory to come flooding back, Hannah Tiernan reflected on the hidden meaning public spaces once had for gay people, and how they were viewed by outsiders
A State of Silence
Those who have survived institutional human rights abuses in Ireland refer to the saying ‘deny until we die’ - where the State and Church keep enacting policies and barriers until the problem goes away. In light of the Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters) Bill 2020, Oisin Kenny speaks with survivors and advocates about the ongoing tactics of silence and the need for accountability moving forward
Queer Utopia: Neave Alouf & Ollie Bell
Queer Utopia lives!
Queer Future:
Queer Utopia: Babs Daly & Stephen Moloney
Our second Queer Utopia team-up are the super talented duo, Babs Daly & Stephen Moloney
Utopian Possibilities
The trouble with something imagined is that it is likely
The Fight For Visibility
Empowering a multinational network of 21 organisations from across 10 countries, a new research project, Intersex - New Interdisciplinary Approaches, aims to shed light on the lived experiences of intersex people.
I Feel Zine
Expression and creativity outside the mainstream, targeting like-minds and fellow bold thinkers, zines are a blast of anarchic energy. With queer creations on the rise, Chris Rooke got the lowdown from some of the makers (who also kindly provided the images)
People MPower
The MPOWER team provide an essential service to gay and bisexual men and other MSM in Ireland, empowering them with sex-positive and judgement-free services and resources. Brendan Kelly Palenque spoke to some of the volunteers that make the service possible
Gold medal achievements
The past 12 months have been difficult for lovers of all things sport. While many LGBTQ+ inclusive clubs gathered for brief periods of training throughout the year, most of 2020 was spent apart. However, as Karina Muray describes, there were still a few notable events and 2021 will most definitely provide more opportunities for getting active!
Empathy, hope and queer joy will help us all to step boldly into 2021
As this unprecedented year comes to a close, Managing Editor Lisa Connell reflects on some of the lessons we have learned, and the role queer joy will play in the continuing fight for a better world for all of our diverse LGBTQ+ community
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