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Welcome, dear reader, to the Pride edition of GCN!

It always feels amazing putting together our biggest issue of the year, and it’s no different in 2023. Expect to hear from a wealth of voices that exist within our community, as well as those of our allies, covering everything you need and want to know ahead of what promises to be a busy Pride season across the island.

This year may be your very first Pride, or you may be a Pride stalwart, but the season is always special. It’s a time for us to come together, to celebrate, and to remember. It’s a time to meet up with friends and family – some of whom we may not have seen since this time last year (or perhaps even longer – thanks Covid!). We get together to protest, dance, march, party and, most importantly, support.

If this is going to be your first Pride, have a ball! It might seem daunting, but we’ve all been in that place where we had to make the first step into a queer bar, event, or Pride parade. You might have just made Ireland your home or very recently come out. There’s no better time to make new friends, find your tribe and learn about the support and kinship the LGBTQ+ community can offer.

No matter where you are located, there are upcoming Pride events in almost every county, city, town and village. This year is an extra special one as we mark a year of queer milestones - 50 years of LGBTQ+ activism in Ireland, the 40th anniversary of the march to Fairview Park in Dublin, the 35th birthday of GCN, and 30 years since homosexuality was decriminalised in Ireland.

Despite those historic and momentous anniversaries marking leaps forward, for many, 2023 has been a tough one. We thought, as a nation, we had made great strides towards equality with the Marriage Equality and Repeal the Eighth referenda, but we are all very aware of the recent increases in physical and online attacks against our community.

The rise in bullying, hate speech, fear mongering, and downright lies about broad sections of our queer family has been apparent. There has been a concerted effort by a minority to sow seeds of disinformation against us - from the recent library protests and drag performance protests, to the unrelenting targeting of our trans siblings.

With all of that in mind, this issue of GCN is one built on solidarity within our community. That powerful cover photo of the inspirational Giulia Valentino taken by the amazing Hazel Coonagh is part of a huge feature made in collaboration with the Rowan Trust. It centres people from communities targeted by the far right, or folk working in groups that combat the same. It is a call for solidarity, for allyship, and it proves that united, we are unbeatable.

We’ve faced hardships in the past, and we overcame the hatred by sticking together, watching out for one another, and supporting the many strands that make up the fabric of our diverse LGBTQ+ tribe.

This Pride, remember how far we’ve come, celebrate it, but also don’t let that progress slip back. Whether you celebrate in the middle of a crowd or during a quiet personal moment, you are not alone. We are connected. Reach out for help, someone will answer. This Pride season, be a Proud Warrior.

Now! Dive into this bumper issue of GCN, we’ve got a glittering ton of quality queer content for your information, education and entertainment. Thank you, as always, for reading.

Much love and wishing you a happy, safe and fabulous Pride, 2023.