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Tag: Lgbt

  • The London Ear #394 – Pride Edition

    The London Ear #394 – Pride Edition

    Welcome to The London Ear #394 – Pride Edition! Happy Pride y’all!! Firstly, again, I adore having a platform like 2XM to do things like this: An episode of The London Ear completely devoted to the LGBTQ community to celebrate Pride.

    I really enjoyed the chance to play some music I don’t normally play on the radio as well as chatting with Paul Maddern, Poet and Editor of ‘Queering The Green.’

    Chat with Paul Maddern, Poet and Editor of ‘Queering The Green’

    Screenshot of Poet, Paul Maddern, chatting to Nessy on Zoom For The London Ear #394 - Pride Edition
    Poet, Paul Maddern, chats to Nessy on Zoom For The London Ear

    ‘Queering The Green’ is a poetry anthology featuring 21 Irish Queer poets, edited by Paul Maddern. It was really lovely to speak to Paul. I’m not a huge poetry buff by any means but this anthology has some beautiful poems, gorgeous words, and meaning.

    Paul is a published poet in his own right, you can find his work on Templar Poetry. He also runs The River Mill in County Down which is a boutique writing retreat, which looks absolutely gorgeous

    ‘Queering The Green’ is published by The Lifeboat Press

    From The Vault: Boy George – No Clause 28

    George O’Dowd’s family hail from Co. Offaly and I think it’s important to remember his input into the LGBT rights movement. He’s the first gay person I ever remember on telly or radio. In 1998, Boy George released ‘No Clause 28’, which is basically a protest song against the ridiculous ‘Section 28’ law in the UK which basically made the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality illegal.

    I played the Pascal Gabriel Mix of Boy George’s No Clause 28.

    Sound Of The Underground: Joviale

    Sound of The Underground is the section of the programme where I introduce you to a London based musician or based with whom you may be unfamiliar. This week’s artist is Joviale, a truly unique artist who I’m overjoyed that I’ve found.

    Follow Joviale on Insta, Bandcamp and Spotify.

    The London Ear 394 – Pride Edition Playlist: June 24 22

    Here’s what was on this week’s Pride Playlist of The London Ear.

    Hour 1:
    George Michael: Outside
    Wallis Bird: F.K.K. No Pants Dance
    Elkae: Girls Like You Like Me
    Apollo Munroe: Sweet Tooth
    Sack: Angel
    Paul Maddern chats about Queering The Green
    Ailbhe Reddy: Inhaling
    From The Vault: Boy George: No Clause 28
    Viscose: Focus
    Oliver Sim: Romance With A Memory (Midlake Remix)

    Hour 2
    Scissor Sisters: Let’s Have a Kiki
    Pillow Queens: My Body Moves
    Sound Of The Underground: Joviale: UW4GM
    Pastiche: Disco Junkie
    Paper Tigers: Graceless
    Phoeno: Kelly Brook
    Big Daisy: Without Dreams
    Keeley: Shadow On The Hills
    Soak: Last July
    Josh McClorey: Puffin’ Clovers
    Matt Taylor: April 13th
    Bobbi Arlo: Fever Thoughts
    The Late David Turpin: The Hotel
    Years & Years: It’s A Sin
    Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield: What Have I Done To Deserve This

    Listen On-Demand to The London Ear

    Thanks for listening, The London Ear is broadcast online and on your radio apps, in Ireland and around the world on RTÉ 2XM. You can always listen to the show on-demand after it has been broadcast on RTÉ 2XM on the RTÉ player including all previous episodes. The show is broadcast every Saturday at 1200. PLEASE NOTE THE NEW TIME OF MIDDAY!

    You can find all previous episodes on the pages of this site here.

  • You Don’t Have To Be An Activist, You Know?

    You Don’t Have To Be An Activist, You Know?

    International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 2022

    Seeing as today, May 17th, is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 2022, I thought that today was the right time to share this piece I recently wrote.

    It’s something that was said to me during a recent conversation. I sat there not replying. They just didn’t get it. “You don’t have to be an activist, you know?”

    During the first lockdown, I took over as Acting Chair of the London Irish LGBT Network. Believe me when I say that this was something I really didn’t want to do. But, I didn’t want the group to come to an abrupt halt either.

    I’ve never been someone who is extremely out there. I live my life, get on with it and if you don’t like it, well, I don’t really need you around anyway. I know I’m very lucky. Not all queer people are afforded that luxury. I’m very lucky where I was born and where I live. But that doesn’t mean there is no homophobia or hatred.

    Again, I’ve been lucky. Me and Tallulah got a bottle thrown at us years ago, one night at Whitefriars in Dublin, just at Aungier Street. Terrible throw, missed badly. In Paris, a few lads cheered at us as they were cruising in their banger adjacent to the Seine. Ooh la la!

    In Ireland, I was never involved in LGBTQ community groups or work or politics, or anything. Just didn’t do it. It could be a hangover of Catholic guilt or the fact that there’s always someone who knows someone. But, when I moved to London, I really didn’t give a shit who knew anything about me.

    Taking over as Chair of the LILGBT Network gave me a sense of purpose during lockdowns. Something other than the day job. Organising online meet-ups and getting really good positive feedback from people, was massive. I was doing something right as Chair.

    But what does a London Irish LGBT group need to do, who do we represent? This is one question I’ve been asking since I got involved. Are we a social group, a campaigning group? I wasn’t sure and it took me a while to figure out. As a community group, we can facilitate bringing people together in a safe space, online and now that it’s a bit safer to meet up, in person also.

    We’ve run nights speaking to musicians, and actors, talking about housing, and Trans rights. It occurred to me that although not everyone comes to the meet-ups all the time, it’s important that our members, friends, and allies know that we’re always there. We don’t judge them for who they are and it’s a space where they can be themselves.

    The Colours of the light spectrum on a dark background -International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
    All the colours of the spectrum

    Hate Crimes on The Rise

    Homophobic and transphobic hate crimes have been on the rise for a number of years, it’s been something that has bubbled under the surface as the right-wing media stir the pot up. I organised an online event for London Irish LGBT Network with Robbie Lawlor and Veda Lady from Poz Vibe podcast, two HIV activists, and I thought that this was one of the last great taboos. I still do. There’s no shame in having HIV and there is still a huge amount of education surrounding it to be done. But, it was then that I was told ‘You don’t have to be an activist you know?’

    That’s not true. I’ve never considered myself an activist. I just do what I do and as a member of the London Irish Queer community, if I can do something to help others in my community, so be it.

    That activism and that sense of community are more important today than it has been in years. Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee, two members of the LGBTQ community were brutally murdered in Sligo not long ago. The beautiful west coast of Ireland where this shouldn’t happen. Ireland: the first country where marriage equality was voted in by a public vote.

    We Can All Be Activists

    I’m a firm believer that if you’re a member of a minority group, you should strive for equality or equity for all minority groups. I believe we should live in a fair society where we live and let live, and everyone has enough to eat. I don’t understand hatred. It takes a lot of energy to be angry and then to remain angry at a person or group of people. Imagine how much energy is wasted on homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic assaults and how many lives are changed for the worse.

    Even over the past while, there have been a rising number of these attacks on the LGBTQ community in Ireland. It breaks my heart. At home in Ireland and at home here in London, we as a community need to stand together and use our voices. Hate crimes are not okay and it’s not okay to ignore them just because they don’t affect you. Whether online, verbal, or physical, abuse is wrong. Friends, allies, and siblings in the LGBTQ community, use your voice, call these people out, and report ALL hate crimes. This can’t continue.

    The only way to make a better world is if we all act – if we’re all activists.

    Thanks for reading, I’d love your feedback and comments on we all can be better activists.

  • The London Ear on RTÉ 2XM // 217 with Joseph Healy, London Irish – LGBT Network

    The London Ear on RTÉ 2XM // 217 with Joseph Healy, London Irish – LGBT Network

    The London Ear on RTÉ 2XM // 217 with Joseph Healy, London Irish – LGBT Network

    I was delighted today to be able to chat to Joseph Healy from the London Irish LGBT Network. The LGBT Network along with Irish in Britain are hosting a conference in London on November 1. The conference is entitled “Equality in Ireland: Past and Present”.

    Speakers at the event include:

    • Conor McGinn Labour MP for St Helens>
    • Clare Moore – Love Equality
    • Elisha McCallion MP Sinn Fein
    • Dr David Shaw from Liverpool University’s Institute of Irish Studies who has written a book about the Irish political experience in Britain since the 1940s. He will be addressing the issues of how the AIDS epidemic in Ireland and the Save Ulster from Sodomy campaign in Northern Ireland led to significant emigration from both parts of Ireland.
    • Dr Joanne McCarthy, Co-author of Identity Formation and Conflict in Older Irish Gay Men.

    You can find out more about the event here and you can buy tickets from eventbrite here.

    You can find out more about the London Irish LGBT Network on their website, Twitter and Facebook.
    London Irish LGBT Network

    The London Ear Show 217 October 20th 2018 // Playlist

    1. Paul Noonan: Moth To Your Flame
    2. whenyoung: Given Up
    3. Bouts: Love’s Lost Landing
    4. Pale Rivers: Caught in It
    5. O Emperor: Effort
    6. Heavy Soda: Greasy Feet
    7. Baba: Land of the Damned
    8. David Burke: Hello Ocean
    9. Robert Grace: Boomerang
    10. Chat with Joseph Healy – Chair of London Irish LGBT Network
    11. Seamus Fogarty: The Old Suit
    12. The Winter Flood: Fire It Up
    13. The Survival Code: Take It As It Is
    14. Pursued by Dogs: Swap Dimensions

    Listen On Demand to The London Ear

    Thanks for listening, The London Ear broadcast on DAB radio, Saorview and outside Ireland you can listen online.You can listen to the show again on the RTE player. The show is broadcast every Saturday at 1300.

    Don’t forget to check out the RTE 2XM website. You can keep up with me here.

    Check out The London Ear on Facebook and Twitter

  • You Never Stop Coming Out as LGBTQ. Ever.

    You Never Stop Coming Out as LGBTQ. Ever.

    Coming Out Again and Again…

    Something happened last week. Within the space of a couple of hours, I had to explain to a work colleague who Talulah was. Then, a while later on Messenger, an old friend asked if I was in a relationship with a girl.

    I had to come out, again, twice. It occurred to me, once you come out once as LGBTQ, you never stop. You have you keep coming out for the rest of your days.

    I hear you say that I’m exaggerating. I don’t think I am exaggerating. Once you get over the initial telling people you’re LGBTQ, your family, friends, work colleagues, you start getting used to telling people. But, there’s still always that little nervousness. In my case, especially at work.

    I’m not the kind of person who goes round shouting it from the roof tops. To be honest, it’s none of anyone’s business. I’m not a fan of labelled anything. If you’re straight and don’t tell people about your significant other, you’re private. If you’re LGBTQ, you’re in the closet.

    First up, we’re in the pub after work and one guy asks if I would like another drink. I say no thanks, I’ve just texted Talulah and I’m on the way home. He enquires who Talulah is. When I say my girlfriend, he’s slightly taken aback. He goes on to mention that I don’t mention her in the office. I’m not hiding, it’s just my colleague wasn’t at last year’s Christmas party and it’s not an issue so no one felt the need to tell my colleague.

    Smalltown Girl

    Later that night, I get home to a message from an old friend. Someone I haven’t seen in years. We never fell out, just life got in the way and we drifted different directions. On a Friday night with a few drinks in, they mention how life turns out different to what we thought it would. Then there’s a casual ‘I take it you’re in a relationship with a girl, maybe I’m wrong’.

    This was something I had kinda been dreading for years, I have my life now and I’m out and proud of who I am. But there’s still previous lifetime stuff, people you were you friends with then, what would then think, would they care? Ireland was a very different place in the 1990s.  I tell her about Talulah. We’re together, seventeen years. The reaction was one ‘Did you know when we were friends that you liked girls? You should have said. I hope you are very happy. We should meet up sometime.’

    There it was. The reaction a small town girl wanted and didn’t know she’d get in the early nineties. I got it now, twenty five years later. Sometimes, you lose track of people, you lose touch. You make new friends who don’t know the previous lifetime you. They know you now. They didn’t know the struggles to get to be who you are now. 

    At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what these people think of you, it’s you that needs to be happy with you. But when the past catches with the present and the two exist happily together. That’s always a good feeling.

    You can listen to an interview I did on Talk Radio about coming out here