FROM THE TEAM

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Welcome, dear reader, to the August/September edition of GCN. A wonderful in-person Pride season continues to take place across the country, and for those of us who already enjoyed our local Prides - how great was that?! Long may we continue to gather together in celebration, joy, remembrance and power.

Now, this is a very special issue of the magazine, and a most seismic time for us here at GCN, big changes, both bittersweet and transformative, are taking place - which we’ll share with you later in this message. Stay tuned!

So what can you expect to read in the latest issue of yours truly? Firstly - culture galore! During the life cycle of this magazine we’ll be enjoying the vibrant Dublin Fringe Festival, so there’s a ton of fabulous queer content.

Firstly, how about that amazing cover by Eoin Greally? In a word, ‘wow’. Our shimmering cover star, Candy Warhol spills all about their thrilling new show with Marian Mary the 6th, The Wind that Shakes the Wig. Expect more beautiful imagery from the electric dance-piece Anatomy of a Night which promises to blast those cobwebs off and shake the theatre with its power. The colossal THISISPOPBABY are also on hand to tease us with the guaranteed smash, Wake, while writer Dylan Coburn Gray shares the journey of the intensely powerful Absent the Wrong.

Hope you’re not all cultured out yet, as we feature a look at Voices From Afar - a series of short films on queer people from abroad who’ve made Ireland their home - which will be screened, fittingly enough, on Culture Night! And we’re absolutely delighted to share a chat with the endlessly fascinating Conner Habib as he releases his insanely good debut novel, Hawk Mountain.

Alongside queer celebration, there’s some essential conversations to be had. Unfortunately, domestic abuse in the LGBTQ+ community is a thing, a thing we don’t talk about, but it’s time to talk about it. It’s always been time. We thank the talented Val Hourican for her openness. It’s a momentous thing. There’s also a truly eye-opening piece on where the dark money comes from that’s funding the rise of far-right movements across the globe. We need to get informed as these possible changes will affect us all. We’re delighted to share powerful words from a Trans member of the Travelling community alongside photos by the super talented Hazel Coonagh looking at the much-needed blast of community energy that was Trans and Intersex Pride.

Rounding it all off, there’s a rather hilarious and completely engrossing look at the relationship between gay men and saunas. A must read!

On top of all that, we’re also proud to continue to platform the voices, opinions and experiences of many wonderful members of our LGBTQ+ family and our allies.

Now, back to our big news. After 14 years with GCN, three plus of those being at the helm as our Managing Editor, our beloved Lisa Connell will be moving on. As this is a team letter, the team would like to say - we love you, Lisa. For all of us, Lisa isn’t just a co-worker, she’s our friend. And for that reason, while our hearts are broken, we wish you all the happiness you deserve and the happiness you’ve earned! You’ve worked tirelessly for your beloved LGBTQ+ community, if there was activism happening over the last however many years, you could be assured of seeing Lisa in the thick of it. And although it won’t be as part of GCN, we have no doubt Lisa will continue to fight for what is good and fair and right. You made the country better for us, pal, you made GCN better.

Go n-éirí an bóthar leat. Much love,