Future Plans and Future Proofing | Pocketmags.com
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383
In this edition
From The Team
Welcome, dear reader, to the April/May issue of GCN.
Future Plans and Future Proofing
As Chair of the National LGBT Federation which publishes GCN along with working to achieve the NXF Strategy 2023 - 2026, I thought I would let you all know how 2024 is going so far.
Creating Inclusive Spaces: A Reflection and Call to Action
It’s no accident that our Strategic Plan at Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre is titled Space for All. As an organisation deeply rooted in our community’s history, we have proudly supported LGBTQ+ people.
Creating Comfort
Creating Proud Spaces in Rural Communities is an initiative developed by Youth Work Ireland and supported by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Over the Rainbow: Tackling Rainbow Washing At Pride
It will come as no surprise to readers of GCN that Pride’s origins are rooted in protest. The brave actions of LGBTQ+ people throughout history, notably the Stonewall riots in 1969.
Inside SLM
As Dublin Pride prepares to celebrate 50 years since the first Sexual Liberation Movement demonstration for Homosexual Law Reform in 1974, Ethan Moser continues his series highlighting the founding members of the SLM
Uncovering Queer Spaces in Italy
When Charlotte Herrmann moved to Rome in 2022, the last things that came to her mind were the challenges she could encounter regarding her queerness. She was aware of conservative politics in Italy, but did not expect to struggle with homophobia in the capital of the country.
In Tune
It’s an exciting year ahead for Glória, Dublin’s LGBTQ+ choir. They have a busy per formance schedule for the rest of 2024, and their new Musical Director, Leah Mullen, is leading the charge.
Behind the Curtain
The process and craft at the National Theatre are at the heart of our backstage tours.
Finding My Feet
Abigail Sinistore has been “studying abroad” in Dublin for four months now, and during that time, the Irish LGBTQ+ community has become a second home to her. But, as the writer explains, it wasn’t always that way.
Safety in Numbers
In dialogues revolving around the concept of safe spaces, familiar refrains echo, revealing enduring challenges: a persistent scarcity, lack of diversity, sometimes visibility, and sporadic lapses in security. Swantje Mohrbeck speaks to those who work to ensure a ‘safe space’ is a reality more than a buzzword.
Mother of All Parties
As the days get longer and the nights get hotter, it gets easier with each passing day to believe that Pride season, and the Dublinfavourite Mother Pride Block Party, are just around the corner. Ethan Moser fills us in on what treats lie in store.
H.A.M.ing it Up
To write the history of H.A.M. is to write the history of one of the most significant chapters in the social and cultural fabric of Dublin. Han Tiernan explains how its evolution would irrevocably shift the club scene and queer nightlife and would leave an indelible mark on Irish theatre, drag culture, art, and even graphic design.
Where Do We Go From Here?
The Care referendum, which was ultimately defeated by the Irish voting population earlier this year, caused much hurt for disabled folk, who felt overlooked and excluded by many community organisations and activists. In the aftermath, Alannah Murray discusses the damage done, as well as how best to move forward.
Nothing About Us Without Us
Across Ireland and the rest of the world, the struggle for disability rights has continued for a long time. One of the activists involved in the early days of the Irish movement, Suzy Byrne, shared with Beatrice Fanucci why it is essential that the voices of those affected should be the ones to lead the charge.
Stage Mums
Four years ago, two native Corkonians, PJ Kirby and Kevin Twomey, sat down to record the very first episode of I’m Grand Mam. The pair shared with Elliott Salmon how an idea, developed on the back of an aeroplane sick bag while they sipped on-flight red wine, transformed into a massively successful podcast and an upcoming live tour.
Name Your Queens
It’s been two years since I last interviewed Pillow Queens for GCN ahead of the release of their second studio album, Leave The Light On. A lot has happened in that time.
Directory
Listings - Organisations - Supports
Directory
Listings - Organisations - Supports
A Milestone
The Cork Women’s Weekend is about to celebrate its 40th anniversary this May Bank Holiday weekend, and it’s going to be fabulous! Founder of the Cork LGBT Archive, Orla Egan, and members of the Cork Women’s Weekend Committee, fill us in on what to expect. Images courtesy of Cork LGBT Archive.
FOND FAREWELL
After an amazing tenure as Group Manager, Michael Brett shares his GCN journey and makes a call to support our national queer media.
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Future Plans and Future Proofing

As Chair of the National LGBT Federation which publishes GCN along with working to achieve the NXF Strategy 2023 - 2026, I thought I would let you all know how 2024 is going so far.

Our strategy is in full flow. The NXF Activist Academy team is well into the research stage, exploring funding options for this skills-based and intergenerational training. The GALAS team is finalising details for the 2024 award ceremony, with some exciting news to be announced soon. The Rainbow Summit team is meeting with other organisations from the LGBTQ+ community to gather as much relevant information as possible, and the Fundraising/Finance team is working on our sustainable funding strategy. We really feel that 2024 is going to be a productive and fruitful year.

Some big changes have taken place at GCN. We said goodbye to our Group Manager Michael Brett. Michael gave more to GCN in the short time with us than we could have hoped for; overseeing the new GCN strategy, bringing on board new GCN team members, expertly running operations, and liaising with donors, funders and stakeholders.

Personally, it was a pleasure working with Michael, as he made his mark on GCN in the most unassuming and intelligent of ways. A true leader and strategist, we will miss him.

But gay life stops for no one and so it was with immense pride that we recently announced Stefano Pappalardo as the new Manager of GCN.

Stefano has worked with GCN for over seven years, most recently as Head of Digital, Marketing & Development. To hear Stefano’s vision for the publication was inspiring. No doubt you will hear more from him, but suffice to say the board of the NXF is incredibly excited about what Stefano hopes to achieve.

The fact that Stefano and his team only recently raised €3,600 at the GCN pub quiz in Street 66 was wonderful to see. GCN is free to all who read the magazine or avail of the online content. As a charity, events like these and donations from all our supporters can never be underestimated. Thanks to all who continue to support Ireland’s free queer media.

The passage into law of the much needed Hate Crime Bill continues to be a major legislative priority for the NXF and indeed the wider Coalition Against Hate Crime.

We have been alarmed at calls in some quarters to scrap what is a crucial piece of legislation. The Programme for Government commits to modernising our laws in this area and the safety of LGBTQ+ and other communities must not be compromised as part of contrived ‘culture wars’ or ‘populist’ politics.

At a time of rising hate crime and with the proliferation of extreme hate speech in the online space in particular, we must ensure our laws are fit-for-purpose. The Hate Crime Bill must be enacted as a priority and without any further delay.

FOND FAREWELL
After an amazing tenure as Group Manager, Michael Brett shares his GCN journey and makes a call to support our national queer media.
< Go to Previous Article
In Tune
It’s an exciting year ahead for Glória, Dublin’s LGBTQ+ choir. They have a busy per formance schedule for the rest of 2024, and their new Musical Director, Leah Mullen, is leading the charge.
Go to Next Article >
In Tune
It’s an exciting year ahead for Glória, Dublin’s LGBTQ+ choir. They have a busy per formance schedule for the rest of 2024, and their new Musical Director, Leah Mullen, is leading the charge.
Go to Next Article >
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From The Team
Welcome, dear reader, to the April/May issue of GCN.
Future Plans and Future Proofing
As Chair of the National LGBT Federation which publishes GCN along with working to achieve the NXF Strategy 2023 - 2026, I thought I would let you all know how 2024 is going so far.
Creating Inclusive Spaces: A Reflection and Call to Action
It’s no accident that our Strategic Plan at Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre is titled Space for All. As an organisation deeply rooted in our community’s history, we have proudly supported LGBTQ+ people.
Creating Comfort
Creating Proud Spaces in Rural Communities is an initiative developed by Youth Work Ireland and supported by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Over the Rainbow: Tackling Rainbow Washing At Pride
It will come as no surprise to readers of GCN that Pride’s origins are rooted in protest. The brave actions of LGBTQ+ people throughout history, notably the Stonewall riots in 1969.
Inside SLM
As Dublin Pride prepares to celebrate 50 years since the first Sexual Liberation Movement demonstration for Homosexual Law Reform in 1974, Ethan Moser continues his series highlighting the founding members of the SLM
Uncovering Queer Spaces in Italy
When Charlotte Herrmann moved to Rome in 2022, the last things that came to her mind were the challenges she could encounter regarding her queerness. She was aware of conservative politics in Italy, but did not expect to struggle with homophobia in the capital of the country.
In Tune
It’s an exciting year ahead for Glória, Dublin’s LGBTQ+ choir. They have a busy per formance schedule for the rest of 2024, and their new Musical Director, Leah Mullen, is leading the charge.
Behind the Curtain
The process and craft at the National Theatre are at the heart of our backstage tours.
Finding My Feet
Abigail Sinistore has been “studying abroad” in Dublin for four months now, and during that time, the Irish LGBTQ+ community has become a second home to her. But, as the writer explains, it wasn’t always that way.
Safety in Numbers
In dialogues revolving around the concept of safe spaces, familiar refrains echo, revealing enduring challenges: a persistent scarcity, lack of diversity, sometimes visibility, and sporadic lapses in security. Swantje Mohrbeck speaks to those who work to ensure a ‘safe space’ is a reality more than a buzzword.
Mother of All Parties
As the days get longer and the nights get hotter, it gets easier with each passing day to believe that Pride season, and the Dublinfavourite Mother Pride Block Party, are just around the corner. Ethan Moser fills us in on what treats lie in store.
H.A.M.ing it Up
To write the history of H.A.M. is to write the history of one of the most significant chapters in the social and cultural fabric of Dublin. Han Tiernan explains how its evolution would irrevocably shift the club scene and queer nightlife and would leave an indelible mark on Irish theatre, drag culture, art, and even graphic design.
Where Do We Go From Here?
The Care referendum, which was ultimately defeated by the Irish voting population earlier this year, caused much hurt for disabled folk, who felt overlooked and excluded by many community organisations and activists. In the aftermath, Alannah Murray discusses the damage done, as well as how best to move forward.
Nothing About Us Without Us
Across Ireland and the rest of the world, the struggle for disability rights has continued for a long time. One of the activists involved in the early days of the Irish movement, Suzy Byrne, shared with Beatrice Fanucci why it is essential that the voices of those affected should be the ones to lead the charge.
Stage Mums
Four years ago, two native Corkonians, PJ Kirby and Kevin Twomey, sat down to record the very first episode of I’m Grand Mam. The pair shared with Elliott Salmon how an idea, developed on the back of an aeroplane sick bag while they sipped on-flight red wine, transformed into a massively successful podcast and an upcoming live tour.
Name Your Queens
It’s been two years since I last interviewed Pillow Queens for GCN ahead of the release of their second studio album, Leave The Light On. A lot has happened in that time.
Directory
Listings - Organisations - Supports
Directory
Listings - Organisations - Supports
A Milestone
The Cork Women’s Weekend is about to celebrate its 40th anniversary this May Bank Holiday weekend, and it’s going to be fabulous! Founder of the Cork LGBT Archive, Orla Egan, and members of the Cork Women’s Weekend Committee, fill us in on what to expect. Images courtesy of Cork LGBT Archive.
FOND FAREWELL
After an amazing tenure as Group Manager, Michael Brett shares his GCN journey and makes a call to support our national queer media.
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