FROM THE TEAM

Welcome, dear reader, to the March 2025 issue of GCN. Our first magazine of the year comes a little later than expected, and not without reason.

As many will be aware, GCN has been Ireland’s LGBTQ+ paper of record and a vital resource to inform, educate, platform and connect the community since 1988. For over three decades, we have documented the ongoing fight for liberation in Ireland and beyond, from decriminalisation to civil partnerships, gender recognition, marriage equality and everything in between.

As the trading name of the National LGBT Federation, a registered charity, GCN operates on limited funds. While GCN is a free community resource, producing the print magazine is costly. Like many organisations, we have been greatly impacted by rising business expenses and the cost of living crisis. These circumstances have made it increasingly challenging to sustain our current print schedule.

As we navigate the current media landscape, to ensure the long-term sustainability of GCN, we have decided to move from a bimonthly print edition to four editions this year. We do not take this decision lightly, but we feel it is essential so we can continue providing a free and reliable platform for LGBTQ+ news. Amid an increasingly hostile global political climate and the rise of hate and misinformation, now more than ever, our community needs an accessible, independent media organisation that tells our side of the story.

With this in mind, we want to assure you that we remain committed to delivering LGBTQ+ news and high-quality journalism, celebrating queer culture and advocating for our community across print, our ever-growing news website, social media channels, and events. We will ensure that the four magazines published in 2025 are packed with diverse voices, exciting talent, important conversations and compelling stories, and that you, dear reader, continue to feel represented in our pages.

This issue is a prime example of that mission. Our cover photo was captured at Dublin Leather Weekend 2025 by the talented Al Fartukh. Several other shots from the event are included in these pages, accompanied by interviews with those involved in Ireland’s fetish and kink communities.

The magazine also features the Founding Cara-Friend exhibition, celebrating the people involved in the Northern Irish organisation’s 50-year history. There are conversations with drag royalty Divina de Campo, Irish trans filmmakers and the artist behind Dream Deli. We travel to Brazil, where AsBraba offers free self-defence classes to LGBTQ+ people, and journey through Trump’s America, where WorldPride is due to take place later this year. Meta’s new hateful conduct policy is examined by one writer, while another looks at how queer people used to connect before social media and online dating. Elsewhere, the importance of community for LGBTQ+ young people is highlighted, while we also hear about the joys of starting over and the links between fashion and gender and veganism and queerness. We meet the runners of the Dublin Marathon, get the latest update on mpox in Ireland, and conclude the magazine with a call to support sex workers. As usual, there is no shortage of compelling content to sink your teeth into.

GCN has always been for the community and by the community. If you value having an independent, free LGBTQ+ media resource, please consider supporting us by making a donation. We know that not everyone is in a position to do so, but every contribution, big or small, is greatly appreciated. We also have some exciting fundraising events coming up throughout the year—we’d love for you to join us! Be sure to check our website and socials for the latest updates.

In its 37 years of publishing, GCN has experienced many milestones, changes and challenges, and each time, we have adapted, grown, and thrived.

After 388 issues and counting, GCN remains your national LGBTQ+ media. Thank you, dear reader, for your continued support.