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REWRITING THE RULES As part of GCN and Belong To’s ongoing collaboration to platform emerging LGBTQ+ voices

Making a movement The concept of Trans Pride is not inherently an Irish one. Yet, as Ciara Kelly notes, over the past few years Ireland has seen four groups rise up to fight for trans, non-binary and intersex rights in the country.

Who do you want to be? Growing up in the 2000s, Karl Cahill ’s generation took part in the home video game boom, with the introduction of advanced consoles such as the PS2, Xbox and Wii offering more immersive worlds and greater control over the characters. For many players during this time, gaming was a solitary experience, away from the prying eyes of parents or even other adolescents. This privacy allowed them to explore something more than the games themselves.

Holding lines shaping futures During the first week of October this year, over 400 members of LGBTQ+ advocacy and community organisations came together in Dublin for ILGA-Europe’s annual conference. Ahead of the event, Chris Rooke spoke to Communications Director Brian Finnegan to learn more about the association’s key focuses during its 30th anniversary year.

The Galas LGBTQ+ Awards The GALAS, Ireland’s annual awards ceremony celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, hosted its 2026 edition on Saturday, October 3. Organised by the National LGBTQ+ Federation (NXF) and GCN, the event boasted 16 categories recognising outstanding accomplishments in areas including activism, arts and entertainment, allyship, sports, journalism, business and more.

LIVING WITH PURPOSE After 13 years as CEO of LINQ Ireland, Kate Moynihan left the organisation in May 2026. In honour of her tireless work in transforming lesbian visibility and inclusion in the country, she was awarded Person of the Year at The GAL AS. Beatrice Fanucci spoke with her about the importance of community, the future of LGBTQ+ rights in Ireland and why we need to avoid becoming complacent.

Christine O’MahonyChristine O’Mahony is no stranger to The GALAS. She won the LGBTQ+ Young Trailblazer award in 2023, was nominated for Emerging Journalist in 2025, and in 2026 was shortlisted for Person of the Year. With an already impressive track record, she spoke to Alice Linehan about her work so far.

Moninne GriffithMoninne Griffith has spent the last two decades working within trailblazing Irish LGBTQ+ organisations. Having recently departed her role as CEO of Belong To after 10 years of service, she spoke to Alice Linehan about her fascinating career.

Dr El Reid-Buckley Dr El Reid-Buckley was surprised to be shortlisted for Person of the Year, having recently stepped back from community organising following grief, burnout and a willingness and desire to have other community members lead. Although they have often said, “I never really did anything except send some emails and fill out forms,” they told Sarah Creighton Keogh , “getting shortlisted (for a second time), I could see it in another, different light: that this work was meaningful enough to a significant amount of people.”

COMMUNITY ORG - PAID STAFF AWARD RECIPIENT The Rainbow Project The Rainbow Project

COMMUNITY ORG - VOLUNTEER STAFFAWARD RECIPIENT LGBT+ Restorative Justice Campaign The LGBT+

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENT Lorelei Fox-Roberts Lorelei Fox-Roberts’ volunteer work

LGBTQ+ ALLY AWARD RECIPIENT Fiona Finn Fiona Finn has been

JOE DRENNAN LGBTQ+ YOUNG TRAILBLAZER AWARD RECIPIENT Beth Clancy Beth Clancy has made

EMERGING JOURNALIST AWARD RECIPIENT Mia Poland Journalist and broadcaster Mia

EVENT OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENT Dublin Dyke March 2026 Dublin Dyke

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT AWARD RECIPIENT Aoife Doolan - Síle na Gig

SPORTS AWARD RECIPIENT Na Gaeil Aeracha Na Gaeil Aeracha

NOEL WALSH HIV ACTIVISM AWARD RECIPIENT Rebecca Tallon de Havilland An Irish

PRIDE OF IRELAND AWARD RECIPIENT Navan Pride Navan Pride was awarded

INTERNATIONAL ACTIVIST AWARD RECIPIENT Yıldız Tar Yıldız Tar won the

OUTSTANDING COMPANY AWARD RECIPIENT A&L Goodbody LLP A&L Goodbody LLP

OUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESS AWARD RECIPIENT Certified Proud Certified Proud works with

LGBTQ+ EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP AWARD RECIPIENT Dublin City Council LGBTQ+ Committee Set

HONORARY LEGISLATIVE ACHIEVEMENT Ged Nash Labour TD Ged Nash was recognised

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Dominic McGreal The GALAS posthumously honoured Dominic McGreal

THAT GIRL Photo by Su Mustecaplioglu . Ahead of appearing

Fantasy ballCork’s Fantasy Ball is preparing to make a highly anticipated return this November, promising sapphic debauchery, dancing and memories of nights gone by. Ahead of the occasion, Val DeBarra traces the history of the iconic event and teases what’s to come.