FROM THE TEAMWelcome, dear reader, to the October 2025 issue

A time for actionI t has been a busy period for

Em — bracing my identityAs part of GCN and Belong To’s ongoing collaboration to platform a new generation of LGBTQ+ voices, Beth Clancy shares what it’s like coming out in a small town.

In pursuit of queer joy and resistanceBooks — Activism — Ireland

The GalasLGBTQ+Awards

COMMUNITY CHAMPIONAfter leaving her post as CEO of LGBT Ireland in August, Paula Fagan received Person of the Year at The GALAS in recognition of the incredible work she did throughout her tenure. Ahead of the ceremony, Alice Linehan sat down with the award recipient to discover more about her life and career.

DAVE THOMASOriginally from Dublin, Dave Thomas decided to move to Arklow in County Wicklow 22 years ago, where he is now a fundamental part of the local community and a true changemaker. But his activism started long before that, and Beatrice Fanucci spoke to The GALAS Person of the Year nominee to find out more.

LYNDA SHERIDANLynda Sheridan is a proud trans woman who has dedicated her life to fighting for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland. Nominated for Person of the Year, she opened up about her experiences to Beatrice Fanucci .

JENNY MAGUIRENominated for two individual awards at The GALAS 2025, Jenny Maguire is a force to be reckoned with. The eventual recipient of the Joe Drennan LGBTQ+ Young Trailblazer trophy, she spoke with Sarah Creighton Keogh ahead of the ceremony to share her key ingredients for driving a movement.

COMMUNITY ORG -VOLUNTEER STAFFAWARD RECIPIENT Trans & Intersex Pride Dublin Bold,

COMMUNITY ORG -PAID STAFFAWARD RECIPIENT GOSHH (Gender, Orientation, Sexual Health, HIV)

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEARAWARD RECIPIENT Gemma Cooney Gemma Cooney is a

EVENT OF THE YEARAWARD RECIPIENT Roscommon Pride 2024 Roscommon Pride was

JOE DRENNAN LGBTQ+ YOUNG TRAILBLAZERAWARD RECIPIENT Jenny Maguire Making history as Trinity

INTERNATIONAL ACTIVISTAWARD RECIPIENT Viktória Radványi Viktória Radványi’s leadership within

EMERGING JOURNALISTAWARD RECIPIENT Conor O’Carroll Conor O’Carroll is an

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENTAWARD RECIPIENT Nazlı Yıldırım Photographer Nazlı Yıldırım was

SPORTSAWARD RECIPIENT Frontrunners & Briskwalkers Cork With over

NOEL WALSH HIV ACTIVISMAWARD RECIPIENT Bill Foley Activist Bill Foley received

OUTSTANDING COMPANYAWARD RECIPIENT Catapult Catapult leads by example, weaving

OUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESSAWARD RECIPIENT Adonis Flower Designers Adonis Flower Designers

LGBTQ+ ALLYAWARD RECIPIENT Mammies for Trans Rights In an

LGBTQ+ EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUPAWARD RECIPIENT INTO LGBT+ Teachers’ Group The INTO

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDAWARD RECIPIENT Michael D. Higgins Later this year,

A glorious 30 yearsIt’s a Tuesday evening, and Glória LGBT+ Choir’s rehearsal room is packed with members warming up their vocal chords. As Sarah McKenna Barry takes an empty chair in the back row, the tenor to her right informs her that she’s picked a good place to sit.

MORE THAN MUSICAhead of her biggest gig yet in the Button Factory, Sarah McKenna Barry caught up with Elaine Mai to chat about her second album, Palestinian advocacy and the catharsis of music production.

Directory

Directory

FeatureIn the second instalment of her series diving into the history of Dublin’s queer bars from 1973 to 1993, Hana Flamm turns attention towards JJ Smyth’s, which became a hotspot for the city’s lesbians. Image courtesy of Irish Queer Archive/National Library of Ireland .

TWO YEARS OF GENOCIDE IN GAZABy Zoë Lawlor, Chairperson of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC)