JOE DRENNAN LGBTQ + YOUNG TRAILBLAZER

AWARD RECIPIENT

Sarah Murray

This year, the LGBTQ+ Young Trailblazer award was renamed in loving memory of Joe Drennan, a young and incredibly talented queer journalist who tragically passed away last October. The award recognises young people like Joe who are making an unforgettable impact on our community.

Sarah Murray was this year’s worthy recipient, acknowledged for using their social media platform to highlight their experience as a queer disabled person in Ireland. Sarah has also served as both the treasurer and vice chairperson of Galway Community Pride, where they have orchestrated over 50 events, and their contributions earned them the Galway Pride People’s Champion award for 2024.

Additionally, Sarah fosters a sense of community and mentorship by volunteering with Amach! LGBT+ Galway, shOUT! Youth Work Ireland Galway, Spunout, and the Generations of Joy project. They also contributed to a queer summer camp which brought young people from five countries together to talk about LGBTQ+ activism, and were involved in Gen E, a project where they talked about the experience of growing up queer and autistic in Ireland.

As they accepted the award for Joe Drennan LGBTQ+ Young Trailblazer, Sarah shared that growing up as a queer disabled person came with many challenges, and they have committed to using their voice to “advocate for LGBTQ+ people across the country, especially trans people.”

NOMINEES

CJ Smith

After beginning their studies at the National College of Ireland, CJ noticed an absence of queer societies on campus and took the initiative to re-established the LGBT Society. Although the NCI Dublin chapter had been inactive for two years prior to CJ’s leadership, the club won the award for Best New/Improved Society at NCI’s annual Clubs & Societies Awards Ball.

Conor Tormey

As an active organiser with Trans & Intersex Pride Dublin and ROSA – Socialist Feminist Movement, Conor helped set up an LGBTQ+ club in their secondary school in Drimnagh. At their young age, Conor is an extremely dedicated activist who has spoken on panels about transgender rights and the rise of the far right.

Jenny Maguire

Jenny is a trailblazer for trans activism. She is a cofounder and co-organiser of Trans & Intersex Pride Dublin, and regularly makes media appearances advocating for the rights of transgender people. She was elected Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union president with a landslide victory after running a campaign focused on student workers, housing and engagement. As President, she has spearheaded social activism campaigns including calling for a free Palestine, fighting to scrap the Green Paper proposals, lobbying for free period products, and advocating for housing for students.

By Nicole Lee