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Queer Utopia: Neave Alouf & Ollie Bell

Queer Utopia lives! In this month’s bumper edition of our provocation to LGBTQ+ artists, activists, makers, thinkers and dreamers to make art based on their responses to that boldest of imaginings - an ideal queer future - we platform a bounty of incredible creations.

Pairing makers from differing backgrounds and disciplines, we have asked them what is the ideal future for our queer family, how would it look, sound, feel? We hand them the reins and see where they will lead us. What new roads will we travel? What new dreams will be planted in our heads?

First up in our plethora of riches, we have a striking, stirring and sparkling collaboration between illustrator, Neave Alouf, and poet and activist, Ollie Bell.

Our glorious first match up are:

Ollie, a non-binary trans activist and poet. They are the founder of Trans and Intersex Pride Dublin and are currently studying a masters in Community and Youth Work in Maynooth. Ollie described the evolution of their poem - “My inspiration for the poem came from my own activism and politics, especially the movements around Repeal and Marriage Equality.”

The insanely talented Neave created two stunning works directly influenced by Ollie’s beautiful words. We previously collaborated with Neave on our #GCNnewvoices series, where she responded to the words and opinions of young LGBTQ+ writers from across the country, adding life and colour to their thoughts. You can follow her incredible work on Instagram @leave.neave

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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
Looking for back issues?
Browse the Archive >

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