From The EditorThis year’s GALAS were a necessary celebration of a community that continues to strive for better

The GCN TeamTHIS MONTH FOR OUR EIGHTH ANNUAL WEDDINGS ISSUE WE ASKED THE THIS VERY PERTINENT QUESTION: What song would you have for the first dance at your wedding and why?

The Men Who Have Sex With Men SurveyThe largest ever survey of men who have sex with men has been launched, and you know it makes sense to ill it in

GMHS Turns 25On October 19, the Gay Men’s Health Service (GMHS) celebrated

Water Cooler ChatterThis month we’re having words about…

Pay it ForwardKudos to LGBT youth organisation, BeLonG To, who continue to

Raja goes to WaterfordFrom its humble beginnings in the early 2000s, Waterford Pride

Archive On The MoveWe’re delighted to report that Cork’s LGBT Archive collection has

Maspalomas MassiveFancy a bit of winter sun, with a gaggle of

Queer WritesThere’s no-one quite like the Irish for a good story

Off to Outburst!We’re choosing what to wear for our forthcoming visit to

Feminists on FilmGiven that we live in a world where men outnumber

Food for ThoughtBased in the Dublin’s Liberties, Cornude’s multi-award winning popcorn is

Made ‘N’ ShadeThe annual GALAs went swimmingly with many deserving folks honoured

Queer View MirrorIf all the tools to fight HIV were easily available in Ireland, then it’s likely the number of new cases would start to fall sharply – surely a win-win for everyone?

The Book GuyWhat’s got Stephen Boylan turning the pages this month?

Modern Anthem 004 Charting The Songs We Love So Well2007 was a landmark year for Britney Spears as she sufered a very public meltdown and released a career-shiting album at the same time. The irst single from that album, ‘Gimme More’ raised two ingers to the establishment, and became an instant queer anthem for more reasons than one

The VerdictDemi Lovato’s Sweet Spot

The GALAS Winners 2017On Saturday, October 21, GCN and our publishers, the National

That picture made me the most famous comedian in the world for a dayLast May, comedian and staunch LGBT+ ally Kathy Gri n was hit by a “wall of shit” a er tweeting a picture of herself brandishing a mocked-up version of Donald Trump’s severed head. The president went on a mission to destroy her career, the Secret Service launched an investigation, and for a moment it seemed like Gri n’s career was in the toilet. But the queen of celebrity self-invention has turned things in her favour, it seems, as Róisín McVeigh discovers

Cho BusinessKick-ass comedy legend Margaret Cho is coming to Ireland for the irst time and we couldn’t be more excited. Author, actress and activist, Cho has been a fearless free spirit and a tireless advocate for LGBT+ rights for over a decade. As well as touring with her new show Fresh Of The Bloat, Cho has co-written and stars in Highland, a comedy series about two dysfunctional Korean families who run a weed dispensary, due to air next year. Now Cho talks to Aoife O’Connor about her irst Irish gig, the Harvey Weinstein allegations, and the campaign to Repeal the 8th amendment

Przem & Les Our Festival Wedding“We always knew we wanted our wedding to be non-conventional,”

Louise & Serena’s Biker Chic WeddingFor their wedding in Enniscrone, Co. Sligo last June, Louise Brennan and Serena Gordon drove into the ceremony on a motorbike. The move stunned their guests, but it shouldn’t have – a shared love of biking is what made this couple fall in love in the irst place

Kevin & Rob’s Rocky Horror WeddingThe guests at Kevin Murphy and Rob Byrne’s Rocky Horror Picture Show-themed wedding were issued with wristbands that said, ‘Don’t Dream It, Be It’, which is not only the chorus to one of the songs in the original show and movie, but a motto by which these two men live their lives

Get Hitched AbroadHaving your wedding in a hotel or big house on the island of Ireland is all well and fabulous, but with marriage equality came the ability to have your wedding abroad and for your union to be legally recongised at home. With that in mind, Ciara McGrattan picks her top four places on the planet to tie the knot in

Magical MaltaThe EU’s smallest nation legalised same-sex marriage in July of this year, so we decided it was the perfect time to check out exactly what makes Malta so special

What’s the Alternative?Planning a wedding and want to do something a little diferent? Sinead Bailey Kelly and Deirdre Young from alternative styling and production company H&G Creations are here with some savvy top tips, and venues, to get you started

Real WeddingsAngela Gallagher Helen O’Reilly Rathsallagh House Co. Wicklow

Meet the Wedding PlannerDaragh Doyle had a high level job in insurance for 20 years, but ater organising his own wedding last year, he decided to throw the towel in and start up as a planner for same-sex couples who have decided to tie the knot. It’s hard work, he says, but always worth it

Weddings with a DiferenceLooking for a diferent experience for your Big Day Out? From weddings on the shimmering sea to private estate hire, to alternative fun for party animals, we’ve got it locked down for you

For better or for worse?For LGBT+ people, who carry such a legacy of shame and marginalisation, the big pink wedding might appear to be the perfect way to validate our entire existence to ourselves and to everyone else. But proceed with caution, warns couples therapist

Inside OutBrazillian native, Rodrigo Ternevoy let a steady job in inance to pursue his passion for acting. Now a regular gay character on Fair City and with upcoming indie horror Red Room about to hit cinemas, he talks about his wedding to his Irish partner, being warned about typecasting, and not always having to push the gay agenda

Let There Be SightAfter nearly 20 years of blurred vision, thanks to laser surgery, Aidan Quigley can at last see a beautiful man at 40 paces

Shirley’s Burn BookThis month, Dee Dee Fontaine wears falsies and…