FROM THE TEAMWelcome, dear reader, to our September issue of GCN celebrating

NXF: The Community Speaksby Chris Noone - Chair of NXF Research Subcommittee

The Black Pride Ireland ManifestoBlack Pride Ireland is a movement created by queer Black people, for Black LGBTQIA+ folks on the island of Ireland. We were founded in 2019 with the aim of creating spaces safe for, accessible to and centring all Black LGBTQIA+ here

Nine weeksNine Weeks, the new show by Seán Kennedy is a deeply heartfelt exploration of the relationship between Seán and his mother during her final weeks of life. It’s also a rage against male oppression and a celebration of those who overcome

ACT UP Dublin The ART of HIVHIV and art go hand in hand. Times of great

Culture ClubBig Little Lies season two was one of the TV events of the summer. Aſter a critically acclaimed first season that seemed universally adored, it wasn’t surprising that all involved wanted to go back for more. But was it the right decision?

THE NORTH IS NEXTIn advance of a potent and timely collaboration highlighting Northern Ireland’s drive for reproductive and queer rights, Managing Editor of GCN and co-creator of The North Is Next, Lisa Connell, relays the necessity for solidarity and the transformative power of art

rainbow fringeDublin Fringe Festival is about to explode across the city, showering us with the best talent the scene has to offer. From inventive plays to pulsating parties, jaw-dropping performances to stunning displays of physicality - you’ll be absolutely spoiled for choice. Never one to turn down a challenge, we took a dive into the programme and hauled up the best of the best LGBT+ lovelies for your delectation

leading the chargePathfinders, a new photographic exhibition soon to open in Dublin Castle, celebrates pioneer LGBT+ activists through a stunning series of portraits

READY PLAYER ONEBreaking new ground in LGBT+ representation in gaming culture both on screen and behind the scenes, Chris Rooke leads us through the brave new world of queer dating sims

AVOCA REACTIONThe unstoppable drag performer, and one of the incredible stars of GCN’s online series Beducation, Avoca Reaction shares with Ranae von Meding the future of their inclusive and diverse queer cabaret

ASKING THE BIG QUESTIONSAs the National Youth Theatre production prepares to open in The Abbey Theatre, Cassia Gaden Gilmartin speaks to writer Dylan Coburn Gray about the particular set of challenges faced by today’s teenagers

A Different SurfaceDylan Meade opens up to Oisin Kenny about pushing back against the title ‘queer artist’, the creation of his distinct art style, and playing with pornography. All paintings by Dylan

LOVE SENSATIONOver two days in mid-August, one area of Dublin burst into rainbow-coloured life as queers and their allies took over the grounds of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham for the mighty music and arts festival -Love Sensation

the artist speaksMaia Nunes and Beth Hayden both have shows appearing as part of the upcoming Dublin Fringe Festival. Maia’s Incantation looks at intergenerational trauma while Beth will present Púcaparty along with her Glitter HOLE troupe. Maia spoke to Beth about art, impulses and the creative process All photos of Maia by Brian Teeling

GAA MAADVickey Curtis and Áine O’Hara will present GAA MAAD, a love letter to the national sport, as part of the upcoming Dublin Fringe Festival. In a GCN first, Vickey created a bespoke poem to give a unique taste of what audiences can expect. GAA abú!

Find Your First LoveHave you ever thought about your first love? Did you

See What DevelopsOuthouse on Capel Street will soon play host to a

Hockey SeasonGet those sticks at the ready! The recently formed Oscar

POSITIVE VOICESWill Kennedy is a member of ACT UP Cork. As a person living with HIV, he talks about the continued existence of stigma in the gay community, the importance of sharing the U=U message and his efforts to create a peer mentoring support programme for others who have been recently diagnosed. Portrait by Hazel Coonagh

Coming Out For The CommunityWith Outcomers Drogheda, a new support service has just become available for the LGBT+ community. Anthony Kinehan relayed to Peter Dunne their plans for the future. Images by Dini Photography