The Galas LGBTQ+Awards

FROM THE TEAM
Keep up to date across our socials: @gaycommunitynews

In Memorium, Joe Drennan
We can’t believe we are writing this. It is Sunday, October 15 and this morning we found out our Joe is gone. There are no words to describe the cold shock each of us received when we got the news.

A NEW STRATEGY
I have been Chair of the NXF (the National LGBT Federation) for nine months now. It has been a busy time working alongside my fellow board members to create a new strategy.

HOMEWORKS CLIMATE ACTION TOOLKIT
During their time together, 25 people united to look at how queer experience - the skills, resilience and history of community activism - could inform new means of community and climate action.

UNITE IN HOPE
Last month, schools returned, and across the country students and teachers set their alarms and packed their backpacks in preparation for a new year.

Inside SLM
It’s been a hard month for Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community as Edmund Lynch, one of the founders of the country’s first Sexual Liberation Movement, passed away earlier this month.

The Passing of a Giant
Ireland’s Rainbow Society has lost one of its ‘founding brothers and sisters’. Edmund Lynch, who died recently at the age of 76, leaves behind an extraordinary, rich legacy as a civil rights activist and LGBTQ+ archivist.

The Galas LGBTQ+Awards
The GALAS Awards made a triumphant return on Saturday, October 7, taking over Dublin’s Mansion House for an evening honouring LGBTQ+ activists and everyday heroes.

CREATING A HOME
A worthy winner of the GALAS Person of the Year award, Beryl Ohas spoke to Joe Drennan days before finding out she was the recipient. Theirs was a conversation about journeys - from new homes, to becoming an activist, and growing as a person

RANAE VON MEDING
Ranae von Meding, a fierce activist and CEO of Equality for Children, was amongst those shortlisted for this year’s LGBTQ+ Person of the Year award. She spoke to Joe Drennan about what the nomination means and why she does what she does

SENATOR ANNIE HOEY
In April 2020, Annie Hoey made history when she became the first out bisexual member of Ireland’s national parliament. She has continued to serve in the Seanad, acting as a voice for young people and the LGBTQ+ community. Beatrice Fanucci spoke to her following her nomination for Person of the Year

DOCTOR EL REID-BUCKLEY
After their Person of the Year nomination, Dr El Reid-Buckley shared with Nicole Lee their ground-breaking work in Limerick, what it means to free oneself from heteronormative expectations, and the advice they’d give to queer community organisers.

YOUNG TRAILBLAZER
AWARD RECIPIENT Christine O’Mahony

LGBTQ+ ALLY
AWARD RECIPIENT Staff of Cork City Libraries

COMMUNITY ORGANISATION
VOLUNTEER STAFF AWARD RECIPIENT Kingdom Pride Kerry

INTERNATIONAL ACTIVIST
AWARD RECIPIENT John Mathenge Mukaburu

NOEL WALSH HIV ACTIVISM AWARD
AWARD RECIPIENT Poz Vibe Podcast

OUTSTANDING COMPANY
AWARD RECIPIENT SSE Airtricity

LGBT+ EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP
AWARD RECIPIENT Boston Scientific Clonmel ERG

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
AWARD RECIPIENT Aireach Aiteach Gaelach

SPORTS
AWARD RECIPIENT Giulia Valentino

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
AWARD RECIPIENT Lisa Daly

LGBTQ+ EVENT OF THE YEAR
AWARD RECIPIENT Bród na Gaeltachta- Donegal Gaeltacht Pride Festival

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
Thank you to all of the sponsors who supported the GALAS.

Directory
Listings Organisations Supports

bewitched
Throughout its history, Ireland has always had a bewitching relationship with magic. We are, after all, the land that produced the pagan festival of Samhain. Sarah McKenna Barry discusses our country’s relationship with witchcraft and speaks to LGBTQ+ people who have found themselves drawn to it.

OUR SHARED PROGRESS
It’s been three months since I upped sticks and moved to Northern Ireland to become the Director of the Rainbow Project. While I may be new on this particular scene, I’m no newcomer to the fight.