BEHIND THE SCENE

FROM THE TEAM
Welcome, dear reader, to the December 2024 issue of GCN.

THE GCN RAFFLE IS BACK
This gives you a chance to win a whole host of incredible prizes while also supporting the work we do at GCN, Ireland’s free national LGBTQ+ media since 1988 and a registered charity with a not-for-profit business model.

HOLIDAYS ARE COMING
Christmas. Some of us love it, some of us hate it, and the sensible ones know that it’s only one day of the year.

NO PLACE FOR HATE
On October 29, 2024, the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act was signed into law, marking the culmination of years of advocac y and campaigning by civil society groups. NXF Board Director and Chair of the Coalition Against Hate Crime, Adam L ong, recounts the legislation’s journey and outlines what must come next. Photo by Dolf Patijn

HEART ON MY SLEEVE
Between her body and her queerness, Madison Law grew up feeling different. In a quest to love the things the world taught her to hate, she discovered her path to liberation. Photo by Roisin Mooney

FROM DUBLIN TO HONG KONG
While drag has become mainstream, there are countless queens around the world who deserve more recognition. Mateus Dutra spoke to one of them, Pansze Diva, a Hong Kong performer who was introduced to drag in Dublin.

A MOTHERS LOVE!
Coming out is a thing we have to do over and over throughout our whole lives. While Mirjam Prell is sometimes filled with dread and anxiety when trying to say the words, there is one coming out she wishes she had the chance to do.

ITS GIVING SEASON!
The festive season has arrived and with it, the perfect opportunity to host friends and family at home. As you get planning your holiday hosting, we have some Christmas gifting and hosting inspiration from TK Maxx and Homesense!

THE YEAR IN REVIEW
2024 was a challenging year in many ways, with that in mind, we have gone through all of the articles published by GCN in 2024 and pulled out some of the best news stories to lift our spirits.

UNLOCKING NEW HORIZONS IN ACTIVISM
2024 has been a journey of growth, learning, and collaboration for Pradeep Mahadeshwar with Queer Asian Pride Ireland and the Queer Spectrum Film Festival. While navigating challenges like limited institutional support, here, he celebrates all that they have achieved for queer people of colour in Ireland. Artwork courtesy of Queer Asian Pride Ireland

RESOURCING OUR SURVIVAL AMID EXTRAORDINARY ODDS
The story of HIV and the AIDS pandemic in Ireland has yet to be told. As Tonie Walsh describes, it’s a story of horror and devastation, courage and defiance, compassion and caring, and what seems, even after all this time, as the never-ending fight against ignorance, shame and stigma.

WHATS NORMAL ANYWAY?
When you don’t meet certain societal expectations, it can be difficult to accept and love your authentic self. Challenging the idea of what it means to be ‘normal’, Aarya Bhutani looks at how neurodivergent and queer people carve their own paths to discover their truth.

A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN
In the age of online dating, The Outing Festival offers a unique opportunity for LGBTQ+ people to make connections in real life. Founder and queen of matchmaking Eddie McGuinness spoke to Alice Linehan about the importance of the annual event ahead of the 2025 Valentine’s weekend edition.

WEAVING WORLDS
Fashion has always been a way to tell stories, but for Oran O’Reilly, it goes that little bit further—it’s a way to build entire worlds. Sarah Creighton Keogh spoke to the designer about his skyrocketing career, including working with the likes of Chappell Roan, CMAT and The Last Dinner Party. Photos shot by Alex Del Chill at The Fabric Counter.

HAIR, IDENTITY + COMMUNITY
Belfast-based photographer and printmaker Ellen Blair is interested in themes of queer joy, community, mental health and intimacy. Drawing inspiration from personal happenings and the communities she is a part of, her work is both a reflection of her inner world and a celebration of shared experiences

BEHIND THE SCENE
With so much talk of London’s ‘ lesbian renaissance’, Keev Ó Baoill wanted to uncover Ireland’s impact on the movement. They sat down with Oran Keaveney, one of the Irish trans dykes organising some of the English capital’s most sought-after queer and dyke events

LOVE SHOULDN'T HURT
Intimate partner violence is a prevalent, although sometimes overlooked issue within the LGBTQ+ community. In a bid to raise more awareness, Chris Rooke spoke to an array of experts to learn more about how abuse can manifest in queer relationships.

Directory
Dublin and The East

Directory
Cork, Kerry & The South Choral Con Fusion

Directory
Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre 105 CAPEL ST, D01 R290

NO MAN LEFT BEHIND
Amid devastating wars, natural disasters and displacement crises, humanitarian efforts around the world aim to provide support to those most in need. LGBTQ+ people possess additional layers of vulnerability, and Beatrice Fanucci investigates the specific challenges they face in emergenc y situations.

THE RECIPE FOR PROGRESS
I mentioned to my colleagues that we were invited to write a piece on the work that Hope and Courage Collective does for GCN’s December edition. I asked, “What message do we want to share..