gcn cover 196

April 2005 / No.196 / Free / www.gcn.ie
ALIEN WATERS
No more lesbo romps
for Sarah Waters?
X DREAMS
Why Brenda feels she
won X Factor for the girls
THE TRUTH IS
OUT THERE
Oye, Shaz! Gotta new album?
KILLEEN
TIME
What’s next
for You’re a
Star’s Louise?

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Photo: Lorna Fitzsimons
EDITORIAL
Five years ago, when I was editing a gay Irish glossy magazine called GI, I made
several approaches to Fianna Fáil to interview Bertie Ahern. We had interviewed
just about every other party leader in the country, always putting the same
question about partnership legislation to them. But we were consistently
refused access to Bertie, for whatever reason.
Today I got a press release from the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network
(GLEN), telling me that Mr Ahern is to officially open the GLEN offices on Monday
April 3rd. This revelation came to me less than a week after Katherine Zappone
and Anne Louise Gilligan’s appearance on The Late Late Show, which was
another momentous revelation – to me and, I believe, to the whole country.
But, first things first – Bertie and GLEN. On the day he opens those offices,
gay Ireland will have finally jumped into real time. We might not get the
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legislation we want immediately, but the official endorsement of our
government leader for an organisation that is striving for full gay and lesbian
equality in every field of Irish life means that we will have been fully welcomed
into the fold at last, and that the promise of a better future is clear. We will no
longer be outsiders; we will have become part of the establishment.
For many people this will be seen as a bad thing – conforming with the men in
suits is hardly everyone’s idea of forward political thinking. But as with the lead
up to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1993, it has been proven that
getting the right people to identify with us is key to moving towards legislative
equality. And to get them to identify with us, we have to identify with them.
Over the years GLEN have become masters of this political device and now
that their strategic programme for change has major philanthropic funding,
they have more clout than they ever had. Not only is our Taoiseach endorsing
GLEN, but our Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has set up a
working group with them on gay partnerships. Whatever equality legislation
comes our gay way, GLEN’s input will be the cornerstone of it.
As such, GLEN is an organisation to be applauded. While not everyone will
agree with them accommodating the likes of Fianna Fáil and the PDs, it can’t be
denied that they have had a major hand in opening up the gates of an equal life
for all Irish gay and lesbian citizens.
Katherine Zappone and Anne Louise Gilligan ought to be applauded too. No
matter what the outcome of their forthcoming case against the Revenue
Commissioners, which seeks to have them recognised as a married couple
under tax law, the gracious victory they scored for gay rights on The Late Late
Show on Friday March 10 can not be discounted. Their intelligent, warm and
forthright personalities won over the show’s audience and made the ramblings
of attendant homophobes starkly redundant.
It is a brave thing to go on the country’s most watched TV show and pin your
queer colours to the mast. To do it and
align Pat Kenny and middle Ireland at
your side with such candid grace was
more than brave – it was heroic.
Katherine and Anne Louise are a
personification of the changing face of
gay Ireland – watching them I realised
we’ve finally grown up for all and sundry
to see.
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© Gay Community News April 2006
The average net circulation of GCN as certified by the Audit
Bureau of Circulation for the period July – December 2005 was
11,125 per issue.
www.gcn.ie April 2006 GCN 1

LETTERS
GAY GAMES GROUP
Dear Editor,
We are a small group of athletes originating
out of Source Health & Fitness Club in Tivoli in
Cork, who are eager to promote sports in Cork
and Ireland and actively encourage others to
partake in swimming, cycling and running. As
part of our efforts we wish to participate in the
Gay Games in Chicago 2006 in order to test
our abilities internationally in the triathlon,
running, cycling and swimming events.
We believe that many Irish athletes can
compete at an international level but particularly
LGBT athletes are not given the encouragement
or may lack the confidence to do so. We hope
that we can act as role models to other athletes
and by competing internationally will encourage
others to do the same.
However, as you and your audience will be
aware, we do need your help. The cost of
travelling and accommodation in Chicago is
sizeable and we are seeking sponsors who
would like to consider donating towards the
expenses involved. Donations may also be in
kind as we will be organising events such as
Pub Quiz. The first such event will be held in
Loafers on March 16th, 2006 at 8 pm. A
donation of any amount would be greatly
Outhouse is
currently seeking
an Administrator
Principal duties include management of the Outhouse
information services, room bookings, and the running
of the Outhouse office. An ability to manage a diverse
workload, to work on your own initiative and empathy
with the client group are required.
Salary scale €23,000-28,000.
Permanent position with pension after 1 year’s
successful service.
For further information please see our website
www.outhouse.ie/jobs or contact Louise Tierney
(Manager) at (01) 873 4999.
The closing date for applications is
Friday 14th April 2006 at 5pm.
Interviews will be held on Monday 8th May
Please apply with CV and letter of application to
“Administrator Vacancy”
Louise Tierney
Outhouse, 105 Capel Street, Dublin 1
or Email: manager@outhouse.ie
2 GCN April 2006 www.gcn.ie
appreciated and would go a long way to help
us to achieve our goal. Please contact us at
buckleyfrances@hotmail.com if you would like
to donate or find out more about our goals.
Yours sincerely, Frances Buckley
ART AND GAY LIFE
Dear Editor,
The Northern Ireland LGBT group, Queerspace,
has secured substantial funding from the Arts
Council of Northern Ireland for a photography
project. The theme of the project is ‘Hidden
Lives’ and its purpose is to show all facets of
gay life in Northern Ireland in its rich and
diverse forms, break down stereotypes and
increase visibility.
This is a unique opportunity to capture gay
life in an original way. Whilst the places on the
photography course (which is being run by the
community group Belfast Exposed) have been
filled, we do want to enhance community
ownership over this project and would
encourage individuals, couples, and groups to
share their stories/experiences with us to
enliven this artistic enterprise. The project will
culminate in an exhibition of all produced
works later this year. If you or anyone you
know would be willing to be subjects, then get
in touch with us at info@queerspace.org.uk.
Yours, The Queerspace Collective
GARDAÍ IN GALWAY
Dear Editor,
I am writing to you to complain about Garda
recognition of gay people in Galway. On
Saturday February 18 a fight broke out beside
a gay nightclub in Galway. A lot of my friends
were being seriously hurt, so I decided to ring
the Gardaí. They took my name and mobile
number and I informed them of the fight and
its location. However, when I also informed the
Garda that it was a gay nightclub, he told me
to “sort it among yourselves”.
I would also like to note that it was a fight
among the gay community and not a ‘gaybashing’.
However if we end up having a
gaybashing scenario in Galway, like there has
been in Dublin, I guess we know what the
Gardaí are going to do about it. Leave us to
sort it out amongst ourselves.
Yours, Anonymous, via e-mail
ORDINARY HERO
Dear Editor,
I’m positive that all of your readers has had
one of those wonderful moments of clarity,
when someone you least expect to surprise
you does and when the light comes on in the
dark. The other night I had such an experience,
one that really took my breath away.
I am a 24 year-old woman struggling to
come to terms with my sexuality. I know I am
gay, I have known for years, but I am too afraid
to admit it to anyone. I don’t know what scares
me most; the prospect of having everyone
talking about me or the fact that once you say
it there’s no way back. And if I was truly
honest I don’t know how ‘acceptable’ that
would be to me. My 19-year-old brother
however is much braver. He’s gay and what’s
more important, he’s proud.
Anyhow, I was driving a friend of mine home
the other night after work. My friend is slightly
intellectually challenged and would have
needed a little help coming through school.
She is not gay, a point I must clarify. We were
unusually quiet driving to her house and I put
it down to us both being tired. All of a sudden
she turned to me and said, “Isn’t your brother
very brave.” I knew she meant about him being
out of the closet, and to be honest all I could
do was agree with her.
We continued the conversation to her house
and when we pulled up outside her door she
turned to me and said: “My mother thinks to be
gay is wrong. She thinks it’s disgusting. And you
know I told her she was entitled to her opinion,
but that in fact I believed she was the one who
was wrong. It’s so normal. To be gay, there’s
nothing wrong with it.” And with that she
turned, got out of my car, and closed the door.
I sat there for ages thinking to myself, here
is a girl who has been struggling all her life
against those who believe they are ‘better’
than her, simply because they didn’t need the
extra resource in school to pull through. Here
is a girl who is continuously undermined by
those who believe themselves to be her
superior simply because they can add faster
than her or can understand large complicated
words, and all the while she is the ‘better’ and
more ‘superior’ one. She has tolerance and
understanding where others have nothing but
cruelty and fear. She can accept someone for
who they are and not just for what they can
offer this world.
As I drove off I thought to myself if the
world was full of people like her I wouldn’t live
in this closet. I wouldn’t have the fear of being
myself. Maybe if there were more people like
her in the world I might be free to be me.
Yours, Mairead, Limerick
LATE LATE LOVE
Dear Editor,
I would just like to thank Katherine Zappone
and Ann Louise Gilligan for their appearance
on The Late Late Show. They are wonderful
embassadors for LGBT life in Ireland and I was
proud as punch watching them.
Pat Kenny actually dealt with the ladies fairly
and with respect which was a pleasent
surprise but it was the audience which thrilled
me most. The Late Late Show reserchers had
the usual loons-with-a-political-agenda in the
crowd but the ‘normal’ folk put them to shame
with their open minds and liberal views.
Yours, Pauline, Westmeath
Send your letters to: editor@gcn.ie or The Editor, GCN, Unit 2, Scarlet Row, Dublin 8
The opinions expressed on these page are not those of the NLGF or GCN.
HERB DADE 1951-2006
Herb Dade was always able to attract a crowd. He brought
a crowd to his gigs, he brought a crowd to his benefit gig
and he brought so many people to his funeral that they
couldn’t all fit inside the chapel.
If you ever had the pleasure of listening to Herbie
perform you will understand why, at the end of his funeral
service, people got to their feet and gave him a standing
ovation. But it was a standing ovation not only for a great
singer, dancer and choreographer, but also for a great
person who lived life to the full.
From the day Herbie arrived in Dublin over ten years
ago, he began making friends and never stopped until the
day he died. He brought people together from all walks of
life, many of whom only met each other after he sadly
passed away far too soon at the tender-age of 55. He was
active in the jazz music scene, the burlesque music scene,
the restaurant biz, the gay community and of course was
tireless in his work as an AIDS activist.
He began his career as a choreographer in New York
with the acclaimed Juilliard’s school before moving to
Dublin where he became the first person ever to perform
at the Sugar Club. He was a regular performer at the
Spiegeltent, JJ’s, The Tassle Club and Bewleys. But what he
will most be remembered for is his generosity of spirit and
his inability to judge people harshly, except of course for
unforgiveable fashion no-no’s. In fact he was known to
have, on occasion, walked up to a complete stranger
wearing a crop-top too small for her and to have simply
said ‘No, no, no, no.’
Herbie made his friends laugh, his audience cheer and
he made everyone who didn’t know him, want to get to
know him. To all who loved and continue to love Herbie his
passing is a terrible loss. To all the musicians long since
departed, they now have the talents of Herb Dade to call to
the stage. Herbie’s website contains pictures, stories and
messages from his many friends and everyone is
encouraged to continue to send their memories in for
others to share. He lived well, he loved well and he will
always be missed. www.herbdade.com

CURRENT AFFAIRS
TAOISEACH TO OFFICIALLY OPEN GLEN OFFICES
An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will officially open the new Gay and
Lesbian Equality Network Offices on April 3
The new offices of
Ireland’s leading gay
equality organisation, the
Gay and Lesbian Equality
Network (GLEN) will be
opened by An Taoiseach,
Bertie Ahern, on April 3. It
will be the first time a
leader of the Irish
government will officially
endorse equality for gay
people.
“We are delighted that
Mr Ahern has agreed to open our offices,” says Eoin Collins,
Director of Policy at GLEN. “Over the past while, the
Taoiseach has been making very strong statements about
Ireland’s position in the world, the need to attract the
highest quality people to Ireland. He has also talked about
being very ambitious for Ireland. That’s one of the things
GLEN are about, being very ambitious for the gay
On March 7, Myra McGuirk and Eileen
Twomey, both residents of Blarney, Co.
Cork, won the first discrimination case
on sexual orientation grounds taken
under the Intoxicating Liquour Act
(2003). Over a year ago, the couple were
asked to leave Malone’s Bar in Blarney
after exchanging a good luck kiss before
playing a game of pool.
Myra McGuirk
Minutes after Eileen gave Myra the
reported “short peck on the lips”; owner
of the bar Michael Malone approached them and said such behaviour was
offensive to his other customers. He added that, if the couple persisted with
such behaviour, they might be asked to leave the pub.
After Mr Malone made good on this promise, the couple complained to the
Gardaí and an action was lodged against Mr Malone under Equal Status
legislation. The action was supported by the Equality Authority.
“The incident was traumatic for them, yet they have come forward as
valuable role models for the gay and lesbian community in challenging
homophobia,” Equality Authority CEO Niall Crowley said in a statement after
Judge Patrick Clyne judged that the couple had been discriminated against at
Cork District Court.
“It was a nerve-wracking and stressful year leading up to the case,” says
McGuirk (42). “Because Blarney is such a small village and a lot of people
community. We’re talking about building us into that
mainstream agenda, so that diversity and equality for gay
people are actually part of Ireland’s success story.”
The Taoiseach will launch the offices at a lunchtime
ceremony with many members of the gay community
present to witness the occasion.
“I think his appearance sends out a very powerful
statement about this government’s basic commitment to
treating lesbian and gay people as equal citizens,” says
Collins. “We’ve had presidents launching things before, but
this is the centre of power coming to the lesbian and gay
community. I think that’s a very important thing, and it’s
something we want to build on.
“It’s also a fun occasion. It’s really a time to celebrate the
emergence of lesbian and gay people into the mainstream
of Irish life.”
While Mr Ahern has voiced support for partnership rights
for gay and lesbian couples, in January he said that he
didn’t believe a referendum on same sex marriages would
be carried by Irish voters.
VICTORIOUS LESBIAN COUPLE URGE IRISH
LGBTs TO TAKE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION ACTION
A Cork lesbian couple, who won their case against a pub that
discriminated against them, are urging other gay men and lesbians in
Ireland to stand up and be counted in the courts
would know the pub involved, it was quite a risk to take the case. But Eileen
and I felt strongly that we were discriminated against.
“During the hearing we both felt that the judge was trying to give Mick
Malone every opportunity to get away with it, but one of the statements Mr
Malone made when he was being cross-examined by our barrister meant that
he couldn’t.
“Mr Malone said, when being questioned, that he wouldn’t agree with a
“full frontal kiss between two people of the same...” and then he stopped
himself. On that point the judge had to rule in our favour, that we were
discriminated against.
“We feel that because most discrimination cases are done in private,
where nobody knows about it, they often go unnoticed. We hope more
people will begin to publicly say that this kind of thing shouldn’t happen.
People are being discriminated against every day in this country over their
sexual orientation.
“The only way to stop discrimination is to stand up against it, and we have
the mechanisms to do that with the Equality Authority, who were brilliant and
very supportive to us all along the way.”
The couple also specifically want to acknowledge those who supported
them in their case and its lead-up. “Eileen and I would like to say a big thank to
all who have given us support,” McGuirk says. “We really appreciate it.”
If you feel you have been discriminated against over your sexual orientation,
contact the Equality Authority at Locall 1890 245 545 or visit www.equality.ie
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www.gcn.ie April 2006 GCN 3

CURRENT AFFAIRS
GAYS COMPARED TO NAZIS BY NY
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE CHAIRMAN
The chief organiser of New York’s St Patrick’s Day Parade has said that allowing gay
groups to join the event would be like allowing Nazis to march at an Israeli parade
Defending the Ancient Order of Hibernians’ longstanding
exclusion of gay marchers from the Manhattan Parade on March
17, March chairman John Dunleavy told The Irish Times this
month: “If an Israeli group wants to march in New York, do you
allow neo-Nazis into their parade? If African-Americans are
marching in Harlem, do they have to let the Ku Klux Klan into
their parade?”
Saying that allowing the Irish Lesbian and Gay Organisation
(ILGO) would set a precedent, he asked, “If we let the ILGO in, is
it the Irish Prostitute Association next?”
The Ancient Order of Hibernians has vocally opposed gay
participation in the march since 1991, when members of ILGO
were denied permission to march but participated anyway.
Protests in the years since then have sometimes seen up to 60
people arrested.
Christine Quinn, an Irish-American who is now the first openly
gay leader of the New York city council, was arrested in 1999.
She had been negotiating with the Ancient Order of Hibernians
this year in an attempt to resolve the dispute.
Quinn proposed that the gay marchers wear badges or
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Business Law - Family Law - Wills & Probate
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4 GCN April 2006 www.gcn.ie
sashes instead of carrying banners.
“Welcome to pure, unadulterated homophobia: it’s not pretty, is
it?” Alan van Capelle, director of the Empire State Pride Agenda,
a campaign group, told the New York Daily News. “It’s shocking
that Mr Dunleavy hates gay people so much. What have we ever
done to him?”
Psychoanalytic
Psychotherapy
Eve Watson
B.A., M.Sc., Grad Dip. PsychAn.
Dublin 6 & City Centre
(01) 819 8989
Ray O’Neill
M.A., M.Sc., Grad Dip. PsychAn.
Belvedere Avenue,
North Circular Road, Dublin 1
(01) 819 8989
Registered Practitioner
APPI
Qualified Professional
Confidential
ON THE WIRE
with Mark Ryan of the Amnesty International
LGBT Network
“The Guatemalan government must take
immediate steps to stop a pattern of deadly
attacks against transgender people and gay
men, and end impunity for these crimes,”
said Human Rights Watch in a letter to
Guatemalan President Oscar Berger.
One transgender woman was murdered and another was
critically wounded on December 17 when they were gunned
down on a street in Guatemala City. Paulina (legal name Juan
Pablo Méndez Cartagena) and Sulma (legal name Kevin Robles)
were stopped by four men on motorcycles at an intersection in
Guatemala City’s Zone One, in the centre of the city.
Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants were wearing police
uniforms and riding police motorcycles that identified them as
members of the national police. The assailants shot Paulina
twice in the head, killing her immediately. They shot Sulma
three times, and she is still recuperating from her injuries.
Paulina, a former sex worker, worked for the Organización
de Apoyo a una Sexualidad Integral frente al SIDA (OASIS), a
nongovernmental organisation that works to prevent
HIV/AIDS and to protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender people. Sulma is a volunteer with OASIS and
a sex worker.
Since the attack, Sulma and other transgender sex workers
have reported being subject to undue police surveillance,
causing them to fear for their lives. According to Sulma’s
report to OASIS, police warned her that, as witness to the
A host of Ireland’s best female entertainers turned up to celebrate International
Women’s Day on March 4 at the Spirit Store in Dundalk at a gig organised by Dundalk
Outcomers. Musicians including Zrazy, Shaz Oye and Hazel O’Connor played for an
enthusiastic crowd, joined by local lasses, Colette and Joanne Murphy and Lisa Crosby.
“A few weeks on and the women of Dundalk are still smiling with pride at this event,”
says Bernadine Quinn from Dundalk Outcomers. “A big thank you to the women who
performed and to the women who came to support this event. It is a jewel in the crown
of our achievements to date.”
attack, her life is in danger. OASIS said that its office and
personnel have been under undue police surveillance. The
Office of the Public Prosecutor has made no further
investigations into the attack since preliminary investigations
in late December.
“These cold-blooded shootings are just the latest tragedy
in Guatemala’s pattern of deadly violence based on sexual
orientation or gender identity,” said Jessica Stern, researcher
in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Program.
“The police have not done enough to protect lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender people, and now there is concern
that they may be responsible for someone’s murder.”
LGBT people in Guatemala regularly face attacks and
threats. In 2005, at least 13 transgender women and gay men
were murdered in Guatemala. On December 21, two men in an
unmarked car with tinted windows robbed two gay male sex
workers at gunpoint in Guatemala City. In the space of a single
month, three gay men were murdered in Guatemala City late
last year. According to OASIS, there have been no prosecutions
in any of these cases.
The Guatemalan government must ensure prompt,
thorough and impartial investigations of the December 17
shootings – as well as other similar attacks reported over
the past year. The authorities must also ensure that those
responsible for these crimes are brought to justice. In
addition, the Guatemalan government should end any
undue police surveillance of Sulma and other transgender
sex workers advocating the rights of LGBT people in
Guatemala. Amnesty International believes that persecuting
a person for their sexual orientation is a violation of
fundamental human rights.
Amnesty International LGBT Network m ets the first Thursday of
every month at 6.30pm on 48 Fl et St, Dublin 2. All are welcome.

ESSENTIALS
DRIVE OF YOUR LIFE
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absolute joy to drive, plus the fact that this
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The Kyron features the double-wishbone
suspension in front and five-link suspension in the
rear – a combination found only on high-end
saloons and SUV models. Don’t worry if you have
no idea what that means, needless to say the
SsangYong Kyron is the must have on the road.
HAVE A GOOD ALAF
The 2006 Lesbian Arts Festival is upon us again,
(doesn’t time fly?) with a slimmed-down program.
The committee has decided to concentrate their
attention on delivering lots of loverly aLAF single
events throughout the rest of the year.
Still, there’s plenty to feast your senses on at
the festival itself, including an exhibition of work by
lesbian artists, Leanne Hurley and Yvonne
Hennessy, at the Front Lounge; some gorgeously
groovy Grrrl Rock at the George; the launch of a
new lesbian youth mag called Ladybirds; a super
special club night at Snackbox at its new venue,
Mischief on South William Street, and a day of
pretty naughty party games to wind things down
on Sunday at Gubu. Enjoy!
THE ALAF LINE-UP 2006:
THURSDAY MARCH 30 ART LAUNCH
Launch of exhibition of artworks by Leanne Hurley
and Yvonne Hennessy, which will run for a full
month at in the Front Lounge.
FRIDAY MARCH 31 QUEERVISUALS
Eileen Leahy’s growing brand of queer visuals will
be projected on South Great George’s Street.
GRRRL ROCK
The perennial favourite of the aLaf festival, this
year’s line-up features Leanne Harte, Jeangenet,
Madnmika and Smartypants.
SATURDAY APRIL 1 BELONGTO LAUNCH
Launch of Through Broken Mirrors, an exhibition
of work from the BeLongTo youth group, and a
new youth magazine at Outhouse from 6pm.
SNACKBOX
The queer night with funk to spare, Snackbox’s
venue may have changed, but the tunes just keep
coming. Mischief on South William Street from
11pm.
SUNDAY APRIL 2 WIND-DOWN PARTY
Time to chill at Gubu from 6pm with your
hosts Busty Lycra and gorgeous GCN
cover star, Louise Killeen.

ESSENTIALS
6 GCN April 2006 www.gcn.ie
LIFE IS BUT A STAGE
Believe it or not, Dublin’s Third
International Gay Theatre Festival is
almost upon us once more and it’s so
gonna be chock-full of treats. “We are
delighted to have plays from all over the
world this year,” says Festival Programmer
Brian Merriman. There are plays from
Israel, South Africa, America, Canada and
Britain, as well, of course, Dublin. It’s going
to be huge.”
GCN.ie will be featuring reviews of all the
Festival’s plays on a daily basis and giving
you the complete run-down in our next
issue. We can’t wait!
Every year, volunteers are key
to the success of the
International Dublin Gay
Theatre Festival and this
year is no exception. The
powers that be are currently
looking for enthusiastic and
committed volunteers to help
during the four-week period with
various duties relating to the festival, from
promotion, distribution and administration,
to stewarding and front-of-house duties.
Contact either the Administrative Director,
PACKAGE GOODIES!
We’ve seen underwear come and go in the GCN office, but
we’ve never quite seen anything like the Ginch Gonch package.
Creative is a word we’d use, but that wouldn’t come near
describing their undie designs, for both men and women. In
fact, we were so taken with them, they’ve become the new
GCN staff uniform.
We’re so absolutely sure you’ll want to wrap your inches in
Ginches, we’re giving you the chance to try some yourself,
instead of keeping them in-house and all to ourselves.
John H Pickering (086 1620503) or the
Volunteer Organiser, Stephen Wallace, at
dublingaytheatrefestival@hotmail.com for
more details.
The Third Dublin International Gay Theatre
Festival, May 1-14. Booking Office - Temple
Bar Information Centre, Essex Street,
Dublin 2, phone 01 677 8511 from April 22 to
May 14. Check out www.gaytheatre.ie for
latest updates, news and promotions
A WEEKEND OF WINE, WOMEN
AND SONG!
After 22 years, the Cork Women’s Fun
Weekend has become something of an
institution and is a permanent fixture on
many women’s calendars nationwide. Every
year, the weekend keeps getting bigger and
a whole lot better and this one promises to
be the best one yet. Get your gear in order
for a weekend of wine, women and snogs,
sorry, songs!
FRIDAY APRIL 28 BATTLE OF THE DJS
Four fabulous DJs will duke it out on the
decks and keep The Silver Springs Hotel
hopping from 9pm til late.
All you have to do to be in with a chance to win your very
own pair is e-mail competitions@gcn, marking the subject box:
Ginch Gonch. Go ahead, you know you want them.

SATURDAY APRIL 29 WORKSHOPS DAY
A full-on day is in store with workshops and stalls at the South Parish
Community Centre from 10am. Later in the day, Cherry Smyth and
others will pleasure you with their poetry.
If you’re feeling sporty, or just want to check out those women in
shorts, a seven-a-side football tournament will kick off on the Mardyke
pitch in the afternoon.
THE LOUNGE LIZARDS
Back to The Silver Springs to delight in the luxurious, lyrical
Lounge Lizards followed by DJs on the decks’ til late.
SUNDAY APRIL 30 BOOTWOMEN HIKE
The hale and hearty Bootwomen will be
hiking out into the country, no doubt
followed by gasping girls desperate for
a hangover cure.
LOAFERS PUB QUIZ
If the hike sounds like way too
much for you, get over to the
Loafers Pub Quiz and fight
for this year’s much coveted
trophy.
The Cork Women’s Fun Weekend,
April 28 - 39, e-mail
cww2006@hotmail.com for more
information
10 THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH...
MARCH 30 - APRIL 2 ALAF FESTIVAL
It’s upon us again, and although it’s slimmed down
somewhat, it’s still essential for everywoman. Full details
on Page 7.
APRIL 2 ALISON O’DONNELL AND ISABEL NÍ CHUIREÁIN
Following the very successful launch of their long awaited
album Mise & Ise Alison and Isabel kick up a storm.
The Cobblestone, 8.30pm. Mise & Ise is available from
Road Records, Fade St, Dublin, or at
www.terranovamusic.com
APRIL 7 Q&A
Dublin’s favourite queer indie night is back at the Temple
Bar Music Centre at 11pm, with a pre-party at Gubu at 8pm.
APRIL 7 LISA FINGLETON’S GESTATION
Launch of a solo exhibition of quirky films and
installations by lesbian artist, Lisa Fingleton. Dunamaise
Arts Centre, Portlaoise, 8pm, exhibition runs until April 28
APRIL 7 THE PINK PARTY. SLIGO
Women-only shenanigans at Sligo’s Clarion Hotel 9 til
late, adm €8/10, e-mail sligopinkparty@yahoo.co.uk for
more information.
APRIL 15 LOAFERS COUNTRY & WESTERN NIGHT, CORK
They’ll be hoeing down in Cork tonight so grab your
partner by the hand and shake that bootay. Loafers, 8pm
911
APRIL 23 TO 29 FAUST AND LA CENERENTOLA
Opera Ireland present Faust and La Cenerentola (that’s
Cinderella to you and me) in the Gaiety theatre.
For info and tickets call 01 872 1122 or pop onto
www.operaireland.com
APRIL 24 JANIS IAN
She learned the truth at 17 and God bless her, she’s still
going strong.
Vicar St, tickets €36.50 from Ticketmaster and all
usual outlets.
APRIL 25 911 AT GLITZ
Go all 90’s boyband, if it takes your fancy.
Break for the Border, 11pm til late.
APRIL 28 TO MAY 1 CORK WOMEN’S FUN WEEKEND
It just gets bigger and better every year. This year’s
extravaganza takes place at the Silver Springs Hotel. For a
full rundown of what’s happening see page 8.
THE ART OF VODKA
New Zealand’s award-winning vodka, 42 BELOW are to
come among us this month with their unique University
module, Vodkaology.
Geoff Ross, the gorgeous creative genius behind 42
BELOW, will be flying in from New Zealand to host the
learning sessions, headlined by equally gorgeous 26year-old
vodka encyclopaedia and bootylicious
bartender, Jacob Briars.
The Vodka U training covers a fascinating
chronology of vodkas from 12th century to present day,
and all that jazz. It also includes a tasting of up to 15
premium and super premium vodkas, from Norway
to New Zealand, including Stolichnaya, Wyborowa,
Absolut, Finlandia, Belvedere, Ketel One, Grey Goose
and 42 BELOW, covering the different styles of potato,
wheat, barley, rye, grape vodkas. Yummy!
And if that wasn’t enough, everyone that attends
one of the Vodka U sessions will be entered into our
special prize draw to win two pairs of return
Premium Economy Class flights to New Zealand, the
home of 42 below vodka and courtesy of Air New
Zealand. Cheers dahlings!
Vodka U at Harvey Nichols First Floor Bar, Dundrum Town
Centre, Wednesday 5 April, 7pm, €35 admission includes
complimentary vodka-inspired canapés and welcome
cocktail. Book at 01 291 0488. www.42below.co.nz
2.7 Turbo diesel engine • 7 seater
Commercial €26,495* Passenger
models from
models from
*Excludes delivery and related charges. Models shown may include extras.
€34,995*
SEE THE EXCITING SSANGYONG RANGE AT
SOUTHERN NIGHTS
WITH DAVID BARRY
Hello people! I have been
running about like a blue-arsed
fly for the last month,
spending time and money like
water in order to bring you an
action-packed 200 words. I do
hope you’re grateful!
The Alternative Miss Cork
2006 went off with a huge big
bang, and by now the Nation has been rocked by HRH Miss Lucy Fur.
Several hundred people applauded as she wrested the crown from her
former leadress Miss Sheila FitsPatrick, and I am so happy she’s our
new Ambassador. Frankly, Sonia O’ Sullivan on a trampoline with Ray
D’arcey makes Baby Jesus cry. Check out www.gaycork.com for more
details and photos!
The 42 below Vodka ‘Strike A Pose’ fashion event at the Clarion was
delightful, and I for one can’t wait to try that glorious passionfruitflavoured
vodka again. Hoorah for them!
In other Cork-related news, Instinct is relaunching soon
(www.instinctbarcork.com), and hardy perennial Freakscene has
relocated itself to the Qube (www.freakscene.com). It is, by all accounts,
better than Anne Doyle riding a pink Unicorn sidesaddle and eating a
cream éclair, while ‘Pop Goes The Weasel’ plays on an oboe in the
background. Hoorah for it, hoorah hoorah!§
See y’all in the Social Pages...
2.9 / 2.7 Turbo diesel engines • 5 and 7 seater
Commercial
models from
€27,195* Passenger €37,195*
models from
2.0 Turbo diesel engine • 2WD and 4x4
Commercial €25,000* Passenger
models from models from
€33,000*
www.gcn.ie April 2006 GCN 7

SCENE
THE PROFILE...
RENA BLAKE, OWNER OF LOAFERS IN CORK
Loafers in Cork
has been a gay
bar for over 20
years now,
making it the
oldest continually
gay bar in Ireland.
This distinction is
one Rena Blake,
the current
owner, takes very seriously. “Loafers has always been a pub
for the gay community. You have your super-pubs all over
the country but very few gay ‘locals’; Loafers has always
been for the gay community and I want to keep it that way.”
The fact the Loafers is a grand old dame has, however,
given Rena a few headaches in the 12 months she’s been at
the helm. “It’s been a tough year,” she admits. “A lot of
work had to be done to the bar. I invested a lot of money
into it. There were things like electrics, plumbing and bar
equipment that needed updating; things the customer
won’t really notice but that needed to be done to make the
place run better.
“We moved the pool table up into a room that is now our
8 GCN April 2006 www.gcn.ie
games room with video games as well. Everyone up here
loves their pool so we wanted ot give them enough room to
enjoy it. Then we put in much more comfortable seating
downstairs. There are now couches and a totally different
vibe around it; it’s more loungey and relaxed.
“I’m really looking forward to getting into next year. With
all of that work done I can hopefully relax into the social
part of running the bar.”
You can rest assured that Rena will be as
inexhaustible with the social end of things as she has
been in sorting out the logistics of running Loafers. This
is a woman with her finger in many pies; as well as
Loafers, she is on the committee for the Cork Women’s
Weekend and she helps run Cloud 9, Cork’s women’s club.
So you just know Loafers is going to be hopping in the
next few months.
“The crowds that come into Loafers are great,” Rena says
enthusiastically. “There’s always such a good vibe around
the place. The future is all about giving the customers what
they want. We want to build on the crowd we have and bring
some more people to the party. It’s important to keep things
fresh and new and keep people interested.”
It’s not just Loafers that will be changing and adapting to
the scene in Cork; Instinct is moving too and, much to Rena’s
delight, it’ll now be closer to Loafers. “I think it’ll create a
nice little village - a pink triangle in Cork.”
Don’t be surprised if Rena is in the middle of it, making
sure everyone’s having a good time.
BE SEEN ON ‘THE SCENE’
TO ADVERTISE YOUR SCENE EVENTS AT COMPETITIVE RATES CONTACT CATH BARKER
OR CONOR WILSON AT 01 671 9076 OR E-MAIL: ADVERTISING@GCN.IE OR CONOR@GCN.IE
SCENE&HERD
April Fools action all-round... Our first national gay Indie day... Sligo girls kick their heels
up... pop goes Glitz... flesh in your face at Stringfellows...
April Fools Day (April 1) has lots happening on the gay front. First
up is Dragon’s weird and wacky fancy dress party, a night of
costumed fun and frolics for the queer at heart, from 8’ til late.
For those who like a different kind of fancy dress - lumberjack
shirts and the like - The Furry Glen opens its doors to bears and
their admirers at The Life Bar on Abbey Street on the same night.
Meanwhile on April 1 down in loverly Limerick, La Boutique
clicks its heels together upstairs at Dolans, where you can
expect the usual mix of magical music and party pleasure.
Almost a week later, Friday April 7 is destined to go down in
history as queer Ireland’s first national gay indie day, with not
one, but two absolutely alternative parties that will appeal to
Dublin’s less-than-disco bunnies. The whole she/hebang opens at
Gubu at 8pm with the first ever Q+A Pre-Party, greasing your
gears until 11 with the coolest music on the planet; exclusive
giveaways and Q+A discount vouchers. And then it’s on to the
main event at The Temple Bar Music Centre, where the latest and
greatest rock and pop tunes will make your motor run in the fast
lane. With lots of The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Morrissey giveaways,
you’d be mad to miss it.
On the same evening, while alternative heads bounce to the
beat in Dublin, women from the West will be shaking their
booties at the Pink Party in Sligo’s Clarion Hotel from 9’ til late
with gorgeous DJ Lucky Lips. This is a women-only event, so
guys on the Garavogue will just have to find something else to
do, okay?
Back in Dublin, everybody’s favourite queer midweek club,
Glitz, has a host of acts lined up over the next few months for
your delectation. First up is the funkadelic The Honeyz, who will
be singing their hearts out on March 28, and on April 25, the
shagadelic 911 will be turning our legs to jelly. Phoar!
What was once Out on the Liffey and then morphed into
Company is to close its doors in Dublin, just over a year after the
revamp. New buyers have come in and nobody knows if it’s
going to be a gay bar or not. Whatever the outcome, we bid a
fond adieu to Frank and Clem and the lads.
On to happier things. Stringfellows gay Sunday night is a wet
dream on legs, or several to be exact. Featuring buff ‘n’ beautiful
boys who pole dance, or private dance for €30, it’s what you
might call a welcome addition to our diverse scene! Post lapdance,
you might want to trip the light fantastic down to Spirit
and dance into the late, late hours. Right now it’s kickin’ gay ass.

NIGHTS OUT’ LUBE
Kris Lynch heads west to trip the
light fandango at EDEN in Galway
Friday night and the lights were low, but the spirits were high
when I ventured to EDEN in Galway. This fun club night has been
around since May of last year and is located at the Oasis, Salthill.
Myself and a few (very willing) volunteers decided to head into
the west to see what Galway had to offer. The music was like my
CD collection - the usual favourites with some nice mixes of
chart classics. The people were very friendly and all were out for
a good time - like us.
We got our photos taken for the website too, which we were
told could be viewed the following day, that’s one way to
remember the night before! Overall, we had a great night - fab
music and friendly people, what more could a clubber want? The
club takes place every Friday and Sunday night and we will
definitely be back for more.
Find out more about EDEN at www.edenexperience.com
BE SEEN ON
THE NEW GCN
SCENE PAGES!
To advertise your scene events at competitive rates contact
Catherine Barker or Conor Wilson on (01) 671 9076,
or by email to advertising@gcn.ie,
or conor@gcn.ie
@ THE OASIS, SALTHILL,GALWAY
EVERY
FRIDAY
FOR MORE INFO & UPDATES
PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE:
www.edenexperience.com
Karaoke every
Thursday with
Jerry Singer
Open 4pm-late, Monday-Friday.
2pm-late, Saturday-Sunday.
Telephone (051) 850923
The Southeast's first gay bar, offering a new
standard of pub design and décor in Waterford
Leather Uniform Bear Encounter-Ireland
Sat.25th.Mar.
Doors open at 9.
Henry Grattan Pub, Baggott St. D2.
In the basement use the side Enterance
€10/€5 before 10.
Gay&Bi-Men
Dates for 2006
LAST SAT. OF EACH MONTH
Sat.25th.Mar.
Sat.29th.Apr.
Sat27th.May
Pride 24th.Jun.Pride
Sat.29th.Jul.
Sat.26th.Aug.
Sat.30th.Sep.
Sat.28st.Oct.
Sat.29th.Nov.
Dec. to be confirmed
We want to provide a place for those
of us who are not been cater for. We are
firm believers that a great night out is
possible if those attending enter into the
spirit of the night. Minimum Dresscode:
Jeans t-shirt & Boots.
Dresscode encouraged not enforced.
WEB: www.lube.ie EMAIL: lubeinfo@eircom.net
www.gcn.ie April 2006 GCN 9

MIZZ TEMPLE BAR GETS UP CLOSE AND
PERSONAL WITH HER FAVOURITE SLEBS
NO. 11: BRENDA EDWARDS
With my many years at the top of the
entertainment ladder, I’ve had countless,
talentless wannabes bug me for career advice.
These days that advice comes with the small
price tag of a pint of Sea Breeze – and the
larger price tag having to listen to me talk
about myself for half an hour, at least. One
thing I have noticed is the ones who get
anywhere with their plans for world
domination don’t tend to be very nice people.
Being nice doesn’t cut the mustard when
you’re vying for someone’s attention. You
need to be pushy and in their face. Hell, you
can even be a total bitch. Who cares, as long
as you stick out from the crowd! If you
managed to get noticed and still stay ‘nice’,
then I take my hat off to you. You’re probably
that rare breed of modern celebrity - the one
with talent.
And so it is with Brenda Edwards (née
Brenda from X Factor). Brenda seems really
nice. That’s a great thing to say about
someone. But in the cutthroat music business,
that’s probably the worst thing that could pass
anyone’s lips. Madonna, Mariah, Britney and
Cristina may come across like ‘nice’ in a
Parkinson interview, but we all know they’re
total bitches beyond the glare. Even Kylie has
a nasty streak (gasp!) it’s just harder to notice
because she’s singing through her nose. If
Brenda wants to keep her spot at the top,
she’s gonna have to get down and dirrrty, and
who better than yours truly to show her the
way forward?
So, I decided to do what Dr. Phil calls
10 GCN April 2006 www.gcn.ie
SHIRLEYCONFIDENTIAL
‘critical career intervention’ (and my ma calls
‘sticking your oar in where it’s not wanted’)
and see if I could knock some nasty into nice
Brenda. When I suggested it, Brenda agreed
to fly over to The George to have a chat. She’s
like that – dead nice.
HI BRENDA... NICE TO MEET YOU, TO MEET YOU NICE.
You too, Shirley.
YOU LOOK A TAD UNDER THE WEATHER, HONEY. NOT
THAT TIME OF THE MONTH, IS IT?
I’m a bit tired today. It’s been all go since X
Factor was on air. We’ve got six dates left of the
X Factor Live tour, which has been amazing.
But there has also been a lot of travelling and
that’s tiring.
IT MUST HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO GO ON TOUR WITH
THOSE CHILDREN OF THE DAMNED, JOURNEY
SOUTH? NOT TO MENTION CHEAP AS CHIPS CHICO.
YOU POOR THING.
Shirley! The tour has been great fun. but I am
glad it’s nearly over. I miss my own bed!
YOU WERE SURPRISED WHEN SHARON OSBORNE
SELECTED YOU TO BE IN HER FINAL X FACTOR GROUP,
WEREN’T YOU?
Well, I didn’t feel that I had done the business.
My voice had let me down so when we had
‘the chat’, I was sure I was going home. She
even phrased it as if she was letting me down
easy. When she said I made it, I didn’t actually
register it for a few seconds. That was an
amazing moment.
YOU WERE THE LAST WOMAN IN THE FINAL. DO YOU
THINK THAT MEANS YOU REALLY WON?
I don’t think that Shayne would appreciate
that! But it’s true; the young girls who make up
the majority of the voters were more likely to
vote for the guys. It was much harder for me to
drum up votes. I think it’s much more difficult
for a woman to win.
OH, CONTROVERSIAL!
No, not really. I think that’s obvious. Anyway,
Shayne and Andy are so lovely that I don’t mind!
I was delighted to get to stay as long as I did.
SO WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?
To be honest, there are a lot of things in
the pipeline, but nothing is definite
yet. I don’t have a record deal or
anything but I have been talking to
people about a West End show, which
would be great. At the moment, though, I
just want to finish this tour!
C’MON BRENDA, LET’S HAVE A LITTLE
BITCHIN’ SESSION. WHICH OF THE X FACTOR
CONTESTANTS DO YOU HATE?
I know it sounds like a cop out, but we all get
on well. You know we’re all so different. so
there’s not even a competitive thing going on.
For example, Chico just got to number one and
when the news was coming in we were all
gathered around the phone, cheering him on.
He was so excited!
I THINK I SAW A PICTURE OF HIM ON THE INTERNET
LOOKING VERY EXCITED. I WONDER HOW LONG HE CAN
KEEP THAT UP?
You know, the kids really love him. He’s such a
lot of fun. I think he’s onto a winner there.
YEAH, CHEEKY GIRLS STYLEEE. HAVE YOU BEEN
INTO THE RECORDING STUDIO YOURSELF?
Yes, I’ve been doing a bit. I hope to
get more done once the tour ends. It
really is a case of finding time to do
everything, which is a lucky position to
be in, I suppose.
I’M LUCKY, YOU’RE LUCKY, WE’RE ALL LUCKY!
SORRY, BRENDA HONEY, JUST HAD A ROCKY
HORROR MOMENT THERE. AS YOU WERE
COLUMN
SAYING, YOU LUCKED OUT?
Absolutely! I was lucky to be in Belfast at that
time, luckier still that they put me through, and
every time someone voted for me, I counted
myself lucky! I think getting anywhere in this
business is not always about how good you are.
It’s sometimes about being in the right place at
the right time.
SPEAKING OF WHICH, WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE TO
PLAY GAY DUBLIN WHEN THE WORLD COULD BE YOUR
OYSTER?
I love Dublin. In fact, I’ve been over to Ireland
loads of times. It’s a lovely place and the people
are so...
LET ME GUESS... NICE?
Cheeky! I was going to say that the people are
so much fun. I can really let my hair down. I’m
really looking forward to my gig in the George.
MAYBE I’LL TAKE YOU TO STRINGFELLOWS
AFTERWARDS. YOU’LL GET TO SEE THE GIANT’S
CAUSEWAY THIS TIME!
Brenda Edwards plays The George on Friday
March 24

Just how liberal is liberal? It’s an identifying
badge among the sophisticates of the elite-tobe
of modern Ireland to be unshocked by the
things that got our forefathers into pitchforkbrandishing
rages. Divorce, race, drug use,
abortion, homosexuality. So long as no one
gets hurt too badly, then let’s laissez faire all
the way.
However, like a Paddy’s Day papier mâché
head, the mask can slip easily from liberal
Ireland’s face. People consigning us to
hellfire, shallow graves or asylums are
common enough on talk radio to pass under
the radar usually, but some nexus of queer
issues (take your pick - the Zappone/Gilligan
case, gay partnerships up North, Brokeback
Mountain/Transamerica/Capote at the
Oscars), had the apoplectic few irritating the
apathetic many with greater frequency in the
last few weeks. The apparently imminent
death of the family, the direct result of queers
perverting the constitution so it no longer
manfully protects the basis of society, and the
‘Bareback Mountain’ Gerry Ryan hilarity can
be dismissed as outlets for harmless crackpots,
which they are, so long as these people don’t
ever get a chance to actually do anything; like,
for example, vote in a referendum on altering
the special position of the heterosexual married
couple in Irish law.
But, fortunately for us, these people get as
much of a chance to actually do anything as
we do - that’s why they’re on talk radio in the
first place.
However, it’s when the antagonism is
coming from people who can’t be so easily
dismissed that we should worry. At a major
marketing conference in Dublin recently, a
businessman who has had a profitable
relationship with Irish homosexuals over a
long period quipped that he’d taken the
locks off the toilet doors in one of his pubs
because he didn’t want the gays having sex
in them - he wanted his pub to be the sort of
place he could bring his mother. Instead of
being his mother’s local, the pub (which his
company no longer manages) is a mostly
gay bar and one that has all the appearance
of being run in a gay-friendly way, puts on
regular homo-themed entertainment and
sponsors queer events.
Now it might seem a mildly humorous
remark, bland in comparison to the tide of
filthy innuendo that you’re likely to hear in
an open-door-policy gay toilet on a Saturday
STEPHENMEYLER
COLUMN
night. And fair enough, a management
concern that long queues are avoided
because some kids are getting it on in the
cubicles must surely be welcomed.
But context is everything. This was a large
marketing conference, attended by
professionals whose job is to persuade
people to behave in certain ways or buy
certain things, people who include queers,
with their mythically large disposable
incomes. Quite why any of the conference
guests would have been interested in locks
on toilets is a mystery, but it’s a fair guess
“That an urbane Dublin businessman, who has been providing us with
for-profit social outlets for years, believes that a casually offensive
remark is acceptable, shows just how alive and kicking old Ireland is.”
that a proportion of the audience was gay
too - after all, finding a queer at a marketing
conference would be like shooting fish in a
barrel. The bar, club and restaurant owner
didn’t seem to be thinking about the
potential customers, queer, straight or
incontinent, that the conference was about
enticing or the actual queer marketeers in
the audience. Perhaps queers only ping his
radar when they are shagging in his toilets
or actually spending a penny.
So apart from the inappropriateness of the
remark (a handy general test of this is to
substitute the words ‘your mother’ wherever
an aggrieved group is mentioned), the
implication that gays have sex in toilets,
which no doubt some of us do, but so do
Italians and truck drivers, and identifying one
of your core groups of customers as toiletshaggers
is just plain offensive.
Of course, the issue is about much more
than sex in toilets. The implication of
associating gay people and sewage disposal
in front of a largely non-gay audience is that
there is something intrinsically disordered
about us.
There’s no doubt that Ireland has become
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www.gcn.ie April 2006GCN 11

KILLEEN
ME SOFTLY
Out and proud from the very beginning, You’re A Star’s biggest find
Louise Killeen, is a rare thing in the Pop Reality TV world – a woman
who knows her own mind. Brian Finnegan meets the
singer/songwriter just after she was voted off the show, and finds her
with her eye on a bigger prize
It’s not often you get Pop Reality TV hopefuls
declaring their rainbow colours from the get go. Will
Young is probably the best known of the gay
glorified talent show competitors, but it’s easy to
forget that Will only came out of the closet after he
won Pop Idol. Louise Killeen, however, is a woman
with bigger balls than Will’s.
Hailing from Shannonbridge, a village in County
Offaly with three pubs (her family owns one) and
a population of 400, she’s been out and proud
since the age of 18 and on entering our very own
You’re A Star, she decided to be on the line from
the get go. And so Ireland got its very first lesbian
Pop Reality heroine, and a kind of terrible beauty
was born.
That terrible beauty, of course, came in the form
of Linda Martin’s mounting reaction to our
singing/songwriting Sapphist. Being a woman who
often confuses sequins for raw talent, Linda took
what one might call a dislike to our Lou, and as the
weeks went by, the insults got sharper. Although
she was surviving week after week with the voters,
Linda just couldn’t get hip to the fact that Louise’s
brand of music – a squillion miles away from
Terminal Three – actually could pull an audience of
its own.
As the weeks went by and You’re A Star slowly
descended from an actual platform for new singing
songwriting talent into little more than an amateur
karaoke competition, it was clear Louise wasn’t
going to last the stretch. Singing other people’s
songs is not her strength. Her soft, melancholic
voice combined with her own achingly beautiful
lyrics are what puts this girl on the map, and
hopefully, will keep her there.
Aware that time is of the essence, Louise is
currently recording her second album, with a
single release in the near offing. And although it
was a shock when she was voted off fourth from
last, she’s bounced back in a way that only a
woman who knows her own mind could. She must
have felt some trepidation in the beginning
though, considering You’re a Star’s tarnished
Eurovision rep...
12 GCN April 2006 www.gcn.ie
Were you wary of getting involved with You’re
A Star?
Louise : No because the prize was a record deal, a
publishing deal and €10000 worth of musical
equipment, as opposed to going to the Eurovision.
No way would I want to go to the Eurovision.
Tell us about what you’d been doing previous to
You’re A Star?
I was working nine-to-five and gigging as well. I had
an album out about two years ago, so I was touring
around, doing the singer songwriter circuit. Then
You’re a Star came up and I went for it.
Were you wary of the singing Reality TV thing?
I didn’t really give it much thought, to be honest.
Bits of it weren’t what I expected at all and at times
it was very stressful, no doubt about it. Within the
first few weeks of the show I was recognised by
people on the street and I found that hard to get
used to.
I also found it strange having pieces written
about me in newspapers. In every single interview I
did, all they wanted to know about was being gay.
From the first auditions I had my girlfriend with me
and on the forms it asked if I had a boyfriend and I
said a girlfriend. So I was never hiding it, but then
again I wasn’t ringing the newspapers saying, ‘Look
I’ve a great story for you’.
They picked up on Donna McCaul coming out
and put the two things together. It was rubbish. I
had met Donna before a couple of times, but they
had the headline ‘Lez Be Friends’ in the Star
newspaper. Awful stuff that took getting used to.
With your profile as a lesbian getting bigger did
you get any negative reaction on the streets?
No. None. I said it to one of the papers that I’ve
gotten negative comments from people walking
down the street holding hands with my girlfriend
before the show, but since You’re A Star there’s
been nothing from anybody in street, no negative
letters or emails or anything like that. The response
has been really good, incredibly positive.
Do you worry that this is an issue that people
would always want to talk about as your career
advances?
No, I think it will die down eventually. There’s only so
much they can ask you. I was the only out person
on You’re A Star and it was a big deal as far as the
media was concerned.
Looking back on it do you think its there is
difficulty reconciling the You’re A Star
experience and what you want your career to be?
Well, half of the prize was a publishing deal, so they
were obviously looking for people to write their
own songs. But what it turned into was more of a
pop thing. Still, for me, it meant that every two
weeks I got to sing a new one of my own songs.
There is no other platform like it for that. A
massive audience of 700,000 people watching, so
if you want to get your songs out there this is a
great way to do it.
Do you think you were treated fairly on the show?
Yes. Although, I didn’t get on that well with Linda
Martin, or she didn’t get on with me. I never really
talked to her, but she seemed to take a bit of a
dislike to me and had a go at me most weeks.
Brendan O’Connor had a go too, but I’d turn on the
TV to watch him you know, and he’s funny. But I
found it hard to take that from Linda every week,
not just for me but for my family as well.
Why do you think she was so negative?
I don’t know. I’m just not her thing, you know? Lucia
Evans was her thing, with the whole diva thing
going on. It was funny, they always had this thing
with me, saying that I was complaining in between
shows. So it was okay for them to say whatever
they wanted about us and laugh away, but if we said
anything about what they said, then we were
ridiculed the week afterwards.
One week I had all of the papers looking for
comments, but I said nothing. Then Linda said again
that I was complaining and I was like, ‘what?’ What
are you talking about?’
Do you think the show became reduced to a
Karaoke competition?
No. Marilyn Bane has a unique voice. She is
someone I’d love to see in concert and she’s the
most natural performer. I used to be so nervous
about getting up on Sunday nights and she was just
like, ‘I can’t wait, I can’t wait’. She has a great voice
and is well able to get out there and do her thing.
Was there good camaraderie between the
contestants?
At different stages there was. When we were a

group of 12 it was great craic. When it got down
to the final six and the final four there was a bit
more tension and people were thinking, ‘I want to
win this’.
You said that there were things you absolutely
didn’t expect from it, what were they?
I didn’t expect the pressure of it. We’d sing on
Sunday night and the next day would know what
we were singing the following Sunday. The most
essential thing for me was picking songs I could
sing; I’m very limited as regards range. But
everyone I know was ringing me telling me what I
should sing, what they thought I should sing, what I
should wear and how I should behave. I mean if it
was one of my mates I’d be doing the same, but
after a while I was so stressed, I was losing the
fucking head with people. That was unexpected!
Was it difficult for you or your family that you
were so publicly out in a rural village like
Shannonbridge?
I came out when I was 22, eight years ago. I came
out to my parents first and that was tough. My
“For me the
competition wasn’t
so much about
music as it was
about sticking to
who you are.”
mother goes to mass everyday and they didn’t
know anyone who was gay, so it was difficult for
them. My Dad was great, he was like, ‘I don’t care
what you are I’ll always love you,’ but my Mam took
a while to come round to it. But they’re both
absolutely great now. They treat my girlfriend like
she’s their daughter.
In the village it was news. ‘Jaysus, your wan from
up there, fuckin’ hell!’ But I never got any got a bad
word said. I had a homecoming on the Saturday
night after I was kicked off the show in
Shannonbridge and I had to give a speech. I said
that the competition wasn’t so much about music
as it was about sticking to who you are. All along I
had massive support from everyone, my brother
and sisters, my parents and everybody in the village
with that part of it. With being who I am.
So, do you think it has changed things for gay
people in more rural areas?
I don’t know. I’ve gotten a couple of emails from
people who haven’t come out and said it was great
to hear me singing love songs about women every
second week.
I don’t think people should be afraid to come out.
It was worse in my head than it was in reality; I think
it usually is.
Did you get supported by the gay community
when you were on You’re a Star?
I don’t go out on the scene a lot, but I had a lot of
emails from gay people around the scene and they
supported me. They had a banner up in the George
for me. I asked Declan (Shirley Temple Bar) to
mention about voting for me at Sunday Bingo and I
think he did that a few times. I felt that the support
was great.
What’s next for you?
There was a lot of interest after the show. I have an
album which isn’t for sale in shops, just on the
website, but we’re recording another now. I’ve to jig
up a few of the tracks and make them a bit more
radio-friendly because it’s hard to get airplay for
songs which are very acoustic. Then I’m going to
get a single out straight away, so that people don’t
forget about me.
Do you have any worries that after a blast of
publicity like you’ve had, that things can go
really quiet?
Yes. That’s why I have to do something straight
away. If I didn’t do anything for a while, people
would be thinking, ‘Louise who?’
I’m lucky. I have people who are willing to back
me, that I’m able to go back into the studio. I’m not
relying completely on being backed by a record
company.
Where would you like to see yourself in five years?
Financially fucking stable would be nice! And just
that I would have had an album out there that
people really like. It’d great to have some sort of
following you know? Like The Indigo Girls - that’s
my ideal. People can’t wait for their next album to
come out, when they’re playing a new song live,
there’s complete quiet.
To have that kind of fanbase behind you would
just be brilliant. I never imagine that I’ll be anything
on that scale at all, but even a smaller version
would be brilliant.
And how’s the love life been since you became
a TV star?
My girlfriend Madeline has been with me all along,
and has just been a massive support through
thick and thin. We’ve been together a year, and
she’s the love of my life.
Find out more about Louise Killeen at
www.louisekilleen.com
www.gcn.ie April 2006 GCN 13

TROUBLED WATERS
Author Sarah Waters crossed over into the mainstream with a particular
brand of Victorian lesbian romp with the novels Tipping the Velvet and
Fingersmith, but the period of her new novel has changed and the mood is
much more melancholy. Never mind, the author tells Sonja Tiernan, there’s
still lots of bed-hopping and bra-strap snapping to sink your teeth into
14 GCN April 2006 www.gcn.ie
It seemed apt to meet Sarah Waters in
one of the tea rooms in the Merrion
Hotel. The decadent surroundings and
silver tea service give the impression of
an era gone by, one that might bring to
mind the novels for which the author has
become famous. Waters’ first three books,
Tipping the Velvet (1998), Affinity (1999) and
Fingersmith (2002), were 19th Century bodice
rippers, or in the author’s own words,
“Victorian lesbo romps”, and two have been
adapted into highly successful BBC costume
dramas, the first of their kind not to be based
on actual Victorian classics.
Waters’ long awaited fourth novel The Night
Watch, however, is a move away from the
genre she has become associated with. Set in
London of the 1940s, during and immediately
after World War II, the story follows the lives of
four main characters: jealous lover Helen,
lonely lesbian Kay, unfulfilled mistress Viv, and
ex-prisoner Duncan. The book is written in
three sections, with a reverse chronology: it
starts in 1947, moves to 1944 and ends in 1941.
No stranger to Dublin, Waters has been
involved in Lesbian Lives at UCD twice, and
she read an extract from The Night Watch at
the conference in 2004. Our conversation
begins at this point. Waters is eager to
explain why our whetted appetites had to
wait two more years to be satisfied with the
finished book.
“I have had extra commitments on my hands
promoting my other three novels,” she says
with a touch of weariness, “and that has
involved lots of travelling. So my writing time
has been disturbed.
“That last period of writing was pretty
intense. With my other books the last couple of
months were very concentrated, but with this
book it was almost like the last year was nonstop.
So it was great to finish because I felt that
I had achieved something, especially since it
had such an unpromising start.
“I was quite anxious about it. I really felt that
I had pulled it together from chaos. But I did
get very fond of the characters; I think more so
than any of my previous characters, especially
Kay, and I was sad to let them go.”
The period in which Waters’ first three
novels is set was influenced by her career as an
academic. She did her doctorate at Queen
Mary and Westfield College on the subject of
history in lesbian and gay writing in the late
19th century, and segued into writing Tipping
The Velvet from there. So research for a novel
set in a different time meant going back to the
drawing board in terms of research, not that
Waters was daunted.
“Although there wasn’t much more lesbian
evidence available from the ‘40s than in the
late 19th century, it felt like it was touchable
somehow, not least because there are women
still alive from that period,” she says. “There
are oral histories which I had not been able to
use before such as a great one that came out a
couple of years ago about life in the Gateways
Club, a lesbian club which opened in London
around 1930. There were resources like that

which had not been available for me before,
which offered me glimpses of a sub-culture
which was really quite substantial at the time.”
Another noticeable change in the make-up
of The Night Watch is the age of its characters,
who are introduced when they’re a good bit
older than the young heroines of Tipping the
Velvet and Fingersmith.
“I very specifically did not want to write
about eighteen-year-old girls,” Waters, who
turns 40 this year, explains. “In Fingersmith
they had to be that age for the plot; they had to
be unmarried. With this book I was interested
in writing about people not coming to it all for
the first time, but having been through
relationships and maybe having had
disappointments. Whereas before I had focused
on worlds opening up, now I focused on worlds
closing down a bit.”
A strand of The Night Watch, particularly in
the parts centred around the character of Kay
in 1944, comments on the personal and
financial consequences of lesbians and gay
men not being able to marry. With civil
partnership legislation introduced to Britain at
the end of 2005, it’s not a huge leap to imagine
that Kay and her concerns are influenced by
the recent changes.
“I was definitely aware of it, that’s true,”
Waters admits. “But more than that, I felt
marriage would be important to a character
like Kay, who is very transgressive in some
ways, but conservative in others. During the
1940s there would have been an immense
pressure on people to get married; it was the
dominant romantic model. Straight people
have always had that huge support – society is
structured to support their relationships.
Lesbian and gay people have never had that,
which makes it harder for us, when it is hard
already. I was just thinking about that.”
Waters’ jovial laugh lightens the sombre
mood of the Merrion when asked if she and
her partner would consider doing an Elton and
David. “I am not yearning to get married,” she
says. “My partner and I are not going to have
a civil partnership; we don’t feel the need.”
The fear of war and bombings are very
central to the story of The Night Watch, as is
the London landscape of the WWII, both
emotional and physical. When the city’s public
transport system was bombed on July 7 last
year, the media likened Londoners’ stoic
reactions to the Blitz. Waters, of course, had
finished writing the book by then, but there’s
no doubt the events must have conjured up
emotions relating to her novel.
“The fact that everyone was very nervous
after the bombing made me think how I would
react to real ongoing danger,” she says after a
thoughtful pause. “Also it made me realise
how one could get used to danger. The war
had its different phases. It actually had these
long lulls, so people got depressed on other
levels about rationing and not being able to
buy new clothes; everyday things. Again that
was something that I was interested in.”
Waters has said in one interview that her
next book will again be set in post-war
“During the 1940s
there would have
been an immense
pressure on people
to get married; it
was the dominant
romantic model.”
London, while in another she’s hinted at a
contemporary ghost story. Either way, her
writing time will again be disturbed. Apart
from the huge round of promotion to be
embarked on for this book, there is the
question of Andrew Davies’ film version of
Affinity, and subsequent publicity to be taken
into account.
“It’s still early days with the Affinity film,”
she says. “Andrew wrote the screenplay just
after he wrote the screenplay for BBC’s
Tipping The Velvet, and he also bought the
rights to it for his own production company.
He is trying to get a director and funding, but
he has been in that situation for years. Every
now and then he phones or emails to say there
has been a new development and then
nothing. So it is in the process of happening,
but it is impossible to say when it will hit
cinema screens.”
Whatever the timing, Waters plans to make
it to Dublin for next year’s Lesbian Lives
Conference, which has a theme that is close to
her heart, ‘Writing the Lesbian’. Here’s hoping
she’ll be reading from her next novel at it, and
publishing it not much longer afterwards.
The Night Watch by Sarah Waters is published
by Virago, €24.77
UCD School of Social Justice Scoill no Cora Soisialta, UCD
University College Dublin
Women's Education, Research and Resource Centre (WERRC)
Applications are invited for admission to the following programmes on a
full-time or part-time basis:
• MA in Women's Studies
• Higher Diploma in Women's Studies
• MLitt in Women's Studies (by thesis)
• PhD in Women's Studies
Located in the new School of Social Justice at UCD, WERRC is one of the
leading Women's Studies centres in Europe with a commitment to making a
difference through transformative feminist scholarship, research, teaching,
outreach and networking activities. WERRC offers a wide range of courses,
with particular focus on the following:
Lesbian and Queer Theory and Politics; Theories and Politics of Feminism;
Gender, Equality and Public Policy; Gender and Globalisation; Irish Literary
Cultures and Histories; Lifelong Learning and Adult Education; Feminist
Research Methodologies
The Higher Diploma and MA programmes are taught through seminars and
supervised research. We also invite applications for the research degrees of
MLitt and PhD. Students are accepted from a wide range of disciplines,
backgrounds and countries, and mature and 'returning' students are
encouraged to apply. Places on all courses are limited so early application is
recommended. Students expecting to graduate in 2006 should apply now.
Late applications will be considered subject to availability of places.
These graduate programmes are part of UCD's commitment to innovative 4th
level education and are coordinated through the UCD Graduate School of the
College of Human Sciences.
Applications should be submitted by Friday 5th May 2006
Further information and application forms are available from our website
www.ucd.ie/werrc or from The Administrator, Women's Education,
Research and Resource Centre (WERRC),
A207 Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington Building, Belfield, Dublin 4
Telephone: 353 1 716 8571 Fax: 353 1 716 1195 Email: werrc@ucd.ie
TO FIND OUT MORE, COME TO OUR OPEN DISCUSSION ON
THURSDAY 20TH APRIL AT 4.00PM, ROOM J109, JOHN HENRY
NEWMAN BUILDING, UCD, BELFIELD, DUBLIN 4
www.gcn.ie April 2006GCN 15

MONEY
MATTERS
With the Irish gay market estimated at a whopping €3.4 billion
annually, it’s no wonder more and more companies are vying for a
share of pink punters, and with so much filthy lucre about it was only
a matter of time before a company would come along to manage it.
Shane McNamara meets Donna Tuohy of Rainbow Finance, Ireland’s
first dedicated gay finance fixers.
In America and estimated 17 million consumers
are gay. It has been identified that they have a
collective buying power of €356 billion.
Meanwhile in Britain the latest figures show 3.2
million gay people with a collective buying
power of at least €27 billion.
Figures like these have thrown up all sorts of
opportunities for businesses who want to
specifically target the gay market in those
territories over the past decade, but the idea of a
pink economy, or the ‘pink euro’ is a very young
one in Ireland. The only research so far carried
16 GCN April 2006 www.gcn.ie
out on the Irish gay market, by the European
group of marketers called Out Now Consulting,
suggests that there’s just as much potential here,
respectively, which means a gay market that’s a
lot bigger than previously believed.
“An estimated 6 per cent of EU adults are gay
or lesbian, according to research,” Out Now
Consulting’s Ian Johnson told the Sunday
Buisness Post last year. “We looked at income
levels and population throughout the EU,
including Ireland.
“In 1998, there were 3,796,000 people in
CALLING ALL LESBIANS
The lived experience of lesbian women
of the Irish health care service
My name is Mel Duffy and I am a lecturer
in Sociology in the School of Nursing, DCU.
I am a lesbian researcher interested in other
lesbians' experiences of health care services
and encounters. This research is being
carried out as a Ph.D. project with the
School of Applied Languages and
Intercultural Studies, DCU.
There is very little written about lesbian
women's experiences in Irish society
whether on a day-to-day basis or their
contributions to society. This is reflected in
the Irish literature where little is known
about lesbian women's experiences in the
health services. I would hope that by
contributing to this study the results would
enhance our understanding of lesbian
women's experiences of the health care
services and enhance their experiences in
the future.
I would like to know what it is like to be a
lesbian woman when you seek health care
from a G.P. or as a patient in a hospital. This
is a phenomenological study.
Phenomenology describes the real life
experience. This study involves a
confidential in-depth interview, which will
take approximately 45-60 minutes. Your
participation will be confidential and your
anonymity will be protected at all stages of
this study.
If you would like to participate in this study
you can contact me on 086-8769400. This
mobile number is for the sole purpose of
this research and will not be used by any
other individual. Please feel free to pass it
on to other lesbian friends, relatives or
colleagues you feel may be interested in
taking part in this survey of lesbian views
and experiences.
Ireland. Across the EU, an average of 20 per
cent of the total population is aged 16 or under,
and therefore outside the target market. This
means that around three million people in
Ireland are over 16.
“Of this three million we estimate that around
182,208 are gay or lesbian. The average GNP
per capita in 1998 was €18,710, which translates
into a total gay income of €3.4 billion annually.”
So it should be no surprise then that people
are beginning to want to get in on the action.
The success of entrepreneurs like Ivan Massow
in the UK, who became a multi-millionaire by
advising gay men and lesbians across the water
on their financial issues, has been well
documented, and others have decided to follow
suit over here.
“If you look at the UK or other European
countries, gay finance has totally worked,” says
Donna Tuohy of Rainbow Finance, the first
financial services company established
specifically to serve the gay community in
Ireland. “So there’s no reason it won’t take off
here. And it’s about time that something like this
was available for gay people in Ireland.”
The question remains, though, as to why
gay men and lesbians actually need a
financial services company dedicated to them.
Money, after all, is money, no matter whose
pocket it’s in.
“The thing is,” Donna explains, “is that when
“I thought it would be nice to
just go to somebody, who
also is gay and say, ‘This is
the way it is’, once and once
only. And then let them take
care of the rest.”
I went for a mortgage with my own partner, I
found myself having to come out in all sorts of
little ways, to my bank, to my solicitor, to my
mortgage provider. The question that was
silently, or sometimes overtly posed was, ‘Is
this woman my friend or my partner?’ Friends
who buy property together may have different
contracts drawn up between them than
partners will have, because it’s a different
relationship of course.
“I was surprised at how this affected me, it felt
slightly uncomfortable. I thought it would be
nice to just go to somebody, who also is gay and
say, ‘This is the way it is’, once and once only.
And then let them take care of the rest.
“Getting a mortgage isn’t any different for
gay people than it is for straight people; it’s all
the stuff that surrounds getting the mortgage
where the difference is pointed up. Making a
will, getting life assurance, doing up contracts
and so on. Unfortunately we don’t have the law
on our sides when it comes to buying property
as same sex partners, so it’s good to have an
interest there that is really representing you.
We know all this is going to happen, so we can
sit down with people and prepare them for the
way ahead.”
“It’s a service in which you can, in complete
confidence, tell somebody your personal details,
and not worry about any judgments, because
we’re in the same boat. It helps take the stress

SHOW ME THE MONEY!
DONNA’S TOP TEN TIPS FOR
FINANCIAL PEACE OF MIND...
1. MAKE A WILL
A surprising number of people do not make a will. If you are
buying property with a partner, always consult a solicitor
about what should happen to the property when one
partner dies.
2. BUY OR RENT?
It makes sense to buy rather than rent. 100% mortgages for
first time buyers have made this a viable option for many.
Instead of paying a landlord’s mortgage, why not invest in
your own?
3. PROTECT YOUR LIFE
Did you know that in 2002 over 6,200 people died in
Ireland before the age of 65? Make sure that when you
pass away there is a lump sum available to pay off your
mortgage and, financially speaking, make life a little easier
for your loved ones.
4. PROTECT YOUR INCOME
Your income is your most important asset - it funds your
lifestyle, and, if you own a house, your mortgage. You should
protect it with an Income Protection or Serious Illness
insurance policy.
5. PROTECT YOUR HOME
Buildings and Contents insurance are essential if you consider
the cost of replacing your home or your belongings, following
a fire, burglary or some other terrible event.
6. PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS
Ensure your assets and liabilities are adequately protected
and that you have the necessary insurance covers in place.
7. PROVIDE FOR YOUR FUTURE
A pension plan is a highly tax efficient way of saving for
retirement. A good financial advisor can guide you through
your investment and retirement options, and the tax benefits
and implications.
8. PROTECT YOUR SSIA SAVINGS HABIT
SSIA’s have given many of us a great savings habit. Don’t loose
the momentum! You should consider one of the many tax
efficient options available - perhaps a Personal Retirement
Savings Account (PRSA) or Personal Pension.
9. GET FINANCIAL CHECK-UPS
You should get a complete ‘financial audit’ to check the
adequacy of your existing pension, life cover, savings and
investments. This could bring you significant savings.
10. GET A FINANCIAL ADVISOR YOU TRUST
When asking someone to deal with your financial life, you will
have to divulge a lot of personal information. Make sure you
trust and like the person who will be advising you, and that
they are comfortable with you.
out of mortgages.”
Of course, finance is not just about
mortgages,” and Donna is quick to point out the
range of services her company offers. “We
provide a whole financial planning service,” she
says. “Pensions, insurance, everything – it’s a one
stop shop. We have experts in every field. We aim
to build relationships with our clients where we
become an integral part of their financial lives,
helping them organise for a better, and more
secure future.”
Of course the words ‘financial future’ hold little
meaning for younger gay boys and girls who are
just out of the closet and tripping the light
fantastic in a whole new world. Donna, herself,
admits that she didn’t think much about money
in her 20s. “I was a real ‘no worries, live in the
moment’ girl,” she admits, “but what I’ve learned
is that if you don’t take care of your finances,
nobody else will.
“Basically people should start thinking about
their financial future as soon as they start
working. When you’re young, free and single
there’s no real need to have certain plans put in
place, but there’s a kind of timeline that people
should try to stick to. In your twenties you
should be saving in a deposit account of some
sort with a view to getting a mortgage later on. It
means that when you are at the age that you
want to settle down, you’ll have some collateral
behind you.”
“The 100% mortgage has made it much easier
for first time buyers now, but there are other
expenses you will have to meet, like solicitors
bills, stamp duty and furnishing the house,
which can be expensive, depending on your
style and taste.”
Another big difference with gay people is how
they will spend their SSIAs, the first of which
mature in May. Many heterosexual families will
be putting their dividends into education for
their children and things like that, but there are
other things to think about for the gay saver,
Donna maintains.
“A lot of products will come on the market
when the SSIAs mature, there’s going to be this
big bang and people will be trying to get their
hands on your money. The thing is to find the
right product for you, one that will do with your
money what you want it to.
“Lots of people will go on a spending spree
with their SSIA’s, and good luck to them, but
there’s another thing to think about. If you’ve
had an SSIA, then throughout the past five years
you have gotten into the habit of saving every
month. So, are you going to continue in that
vein? The wise answer would be yes. If you’ve
managed on your income this time to pay into
the SSIA, why stop? You can manage to pay the
same amount into another scheme that will pay
you dividends.
We will be looking at the best products for
people to invest their SSIA savings, be it
dividend or continued payments.
To get up to speed with the speedy gay
market, Rainbow Finance have launched a
website where you can find out more about what
using a gay financial service company means to
the gay consumer. Visitors will also be able to get
insurance quotes across the board, from car to
house to travel, and will be able to interact with
Donna if they have any questions.
“Good financial planning is a great habit to get
into,” says Donna, who looks like she’s thriving
on it, “It will stand to you for the rest of your life,
no matter when you start.”
Visit Rainbow Finance at
www.rainbowfinance.ie or call Donna Tuohy at
(01) 496 8853, Mobile: 086 154 9281
The other day I went off for a few days to
Dublin and forgot to bring my mobile. A
feeling of complete panic rapidly gave way
to relief and pleasure. I felt like I was on the
lam, accountable to no one.
Apparently there are mobiles sold
specially for older people, with only the basic
functions (and large print, I shouldn’t
wonder). I have a nasty feeling mine is one
of these. It is quite simple, but really it’s just
that I don’t use half the functions it does
have. I don’t do the games and stuff; the
Times crossword and sudoku are addictive
enough. And why would I want to get RSI of
the thumbs searching for information, when
I can just ring up and shout at somebody?
Of course, I do first politely ask for the
information I need, but after I’ve been sent
from Billy to Jack, or put on hold for 20
minutes, it usually ends up with me getting,
at the very least, steely. What incenses me is
having to spend my time doing the job the
company I’m phoning should be doing for
me. And although I try to be polite to the
unfortunate employee on the other end, if I
do eventually lose the head, it’s better than
getting an ulcer from the frustration of it all.
Modern technology changes the way we
relate to people - our manners, in short.
When the telephone was invented, it was
considered very rude to answer the phone
during meals or when someone was visiting
the house. A friend of mine’s aunt felt so
strongly about this that if someone chanced
to ring when they were at the table, she
would pick up the receiver, say “We’re
eating!” and hang up. It did not seem to
occur to her that the luckless caller could not
know they were having dinner. The phone
seems to blur the difference between
presence and absence.
Now, of course, although a few die-hards
switch off their mobiles when they’re talking
to someone or eating their dinner, it seems
most people don’t think it’s rude at all.
Perhaps they think it would be ruder to
ignore the person who’s ringing.
Older people are often very courageous
when dealing with new technologies but you
do sometimes wonder whether they really
get it. In her declining years, my mother had
to come to terms with answer-machines.
Although she had no need of one herself,
since she never went anywhere, she hadn’t a
prayer of ever finding her offspring in before
midnight, so she had to learn to leave
DEBORAHBALLARD
COLUMN
messages. She seemed to regard the thing as
a real person, and would courteously ask it
to tell me that she’d called.
Of course, she was born in an era when
some people would no more dream of
having a telephone in their house or office
than stripping in church. They felt it would
show a discourteous impatience, in a way
that a letter did not. However, in those days
there were several postal deliveries a day, in
towns at least, and you could always send a
telegram in emergencies. The
incontrovertible usefulness of the telephone
consigned the telegram to extinction, and
emails have taken over from the postal
service, except where lawyers want to cover
“The big snag about new technology is the way it controls
us by keeping us constantly available to other people.”
their backs. We still hesitate to send a letter
of condolence by email, but it’s happening
more and more, just because
telecommunication means we often don’t
know people’s postal addresses.
Technology has always driven manners.
Etiquette was born after the industrial
revolution shook up the class system; when
people were no longer sure of their place, or
doing their damnedest to escape it, a code of
etiquette was supposed to give you a handle
on social uncertainty. But of course it was
used to exclude people as much as give
others a step up. Here in Ireland I am
looked upon with pity and wonder because I
put milk in my cup before the tea, but in
England it instantly placed me as lower
middle class, and still does, for all I know.
People are always giving out about how
manners are deteriorating, but I think
what they’re really complaining about is
change. If you don’t understand new
technology, or are excluded from its
benefits, you don’t cope well with the
effect it has on how we behave. But the
essence of courtesy is to make other
people feel at ease, which a regimented
code of etiquette certainly doesn’t, and I
don’t think people are any more or less
kind to each other these days, although we
are certainly having to move faster and
faster, like Alice and the King of Hearts.
The big snag about new technology is the
way it controls us by keeping us constantly
available to other people, especially
employers. Hence the feeling of panic when
I forgot my mobile – and the unholy joy of
knowing that no one, not even my nearest
and dearest, could track me down. It’s a rare
freedom these days.
www.gcn.ie April 2006GCN 17

TRAVEL
THE 5 MINUTE
GUIDE TO: PATTAYA
In search of gay paradise? Alan Power
thinks he’s found it in a place where he didn’t
expect it to be.
If sultry beaches gently lapped by aquamarine
water and shaded by coconut trees,
along with a gay scene to rival any in the
world, are your kind of thing, then you won’t
go wrong in Southeast Thailand, or the city
of Pattaya to be exact.
For centuries Pattaya was a tiny fishing
village resting on a calm bay, virtually
unknown to outsiders. Before development
came in the wake of the Vietnam War, less
than 100 families fished for their meagre
livings on Pattaya’s pristine waters. During
the US army recreation periods from Nam in
the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, the forces would
travel to nearby Thailand and chill out on the
white sandy beaches of the Southeast,
discovering Pattaya along the way. Since
then it’s grown into a thriving, exciting
beach-side city that attracts 2.9 million
visitors every year, and with a new
international airport just 40 minutes away,
with a direct route to it from Ireland, that
number is set to go up to 3.2 million by the
end of this year.
Like any thriving tourist city, Pattaya has
its very own thriving gay scene, much of it
centred on an area behind the main 4km
beachfront strip called Boyztown. Although
over the years Thailand has become known
for its sex industry, the scene here has
become much more Westernised over the last
decade, with pubs, clubs, restaurants and
hotels to suit all tastes and pockets.
Having said that, go-go bars are big in
Boyztown. The appropriately named Boyz
Boyz Boyz is one of the most popular, with its
retro disco and hunky staff. The staff don’t
only serve drinks, and there are ‘freelancers’
checking you out in every corner. One of the
hippest go-go bars in the area is the Throb
and Splash, which regularly features more
than 70 lads gyrating to the beat for your
pleasure.
The go-go bar experience is something to
check out, but there are less in-your-face
ways of getting your social kicks in places
like the Panorama Pub, which is as good as a
holiday gay bar gets, Muttley’s Bar, which
serves gorgeous cocktails out in the open
night air, or Le Café Royale Piano bar, which
does exactly what it says on the tin and
serves some good food too.
When you get tired of Boyztown or want to
save a few Baht, you can visit Sunee Plaza.
This section of town is just as gay friendly,
but the prices are much lower. Unfortunately
the clubs change names and owners at a
rapid pace, so it’s best to do some research
with the locals to see what’s the current
trendy place to be.
Very popular here is the British-owned
Kaos, which attracts lots of English speakers.
Come In Bar, however, is probably your best
bet in Sunee Plaza. Full of big soft chairs and
atmospheric lighting, it’s a real comfort zone
with a chilled out, but cruisy quality that
never fails to hit the mark.
Jomtien is the location of Pattaya’s gay
beach, on the nicest side of town - think
Dalkey compared to inner city Dublin, and
features its own diverse mix of gay bars,
clubs and restaurants. The gay beach starts
at the public toilets directly across from Tui’s
Palace, and it’s heaven on earth, with eyecandy
as far as the eye can see.
With such a great scene in a place where
the sun shines year-round, it’s not surprising
that gay people have begun to buy property
around the Jomptien area. A two to three bed
house here will set you back around €90K,
and because of the numbers of visitors to the
area annually, when you’re not using it, it
will rent out easily, giving most a 10% return
on investment in one year.
Irish-owned family company, MonRo
Properties has several high-quality
developments of houses and boutique
apartment buildings in the area, and they
not only sell property, but manage rental too.
Land prices have risen by 100% over the last
two years in Pattaya and with the opening of
the new International airport, prices are set
to rise sharply again - so it’s a good time to
get into the market.
Currently MonRo Properties have three
residential projects in the Jomptien area, two
small housing developments on Pratenuck
Hill, 400 and 600 meters away from the
beautifully quiet Cosy Bay beach, and one
amazing exclusive boutique development
looking out on to Jomptien itself, called
Panchalae. The Pratenuck Hill houses have
their own pool and are gated, while
Panchalae has its own freeform pool, jogging
track and gym. Prices on Pratenuck Hill go
from €94k, while the apartments in
Panchalae start at €103K.
MonRo can arrange financing by way of
equity release on Irish property, arrange
furniture packages that include all kitchen
appliances, provide maid and maintenance
services and oversee the letting of your
property when you’re not there. MonRo also
offers a free orientation service to all
purchasers where their friendly local staff
will personally guide you to all the gayfriendly
places.
Less than 10 hours flying time from
Dublin, once the new airport opens later this
year, Pattaya is turning into one hot gay
destination, and because it’s on the calm,
protected Gulf of Thailand, freak weather
catastrophes are out of the question. You can
eat out there for less than a fiver, pay golf
course green fees as low as €15, party all
night long with alcohol costing less than a
Euro, and chill out on sublime beaches for
free and gratis. Who said heaven isn’t a
place on earth?
For more information about MonRo
Properties, visit www.monro-thailand.com
THE VERY BEST...
BAR: EXXIT, Thappraya Rd & Jomtien Complex
Disco bar with a fantastic atmosphere and its own tropical
garden, EXXIT hosts leather nights and dance parties for a
lovin’ it crowd.
GO-GO BAR: BozyBoyzBoyz, 325/87 Pattayaland Soi 3
A multi-level party palace that’s been on the go-go for 15
years, featuring cabaret and nightly dance show.
RESTAURANT: Amor Restaurant,
244/15 Pattayaland Soi 3
Right in the centre of Boyztown, this charming gay eaterie
has a wide and reasonable menu, from Thai to Western
and everything in between. Good wine list too.
HOTEL: Le Cafe Royale Hotel, 325/102-109 Pattayaland
Soi 3 South Pattaya, Phone:+66 (0) 38 423 515,
www.caferoyale-pattaya.com
Very popular luxury hotel right in the heart of Boyztown,
with all the usual extras.
www.gcn.ie April 2006GCN 18

GROOMING
FOXYBROWN
Now that we all know what damage the sun can do to our
faces, it’s no wonder people like our beauty correspondent
Declan Marr are turning to the latest range of self-tanning
facial moisturisers on the market. And he looks so natural!
As the world has become more and more clued
into the kind of damage exposure to the sun
can wreak on its face, a whole new door has
recently opened in the self-tanning market with
the dawn of the tanning moisturiser.
Johnson & Johnson opened this new
Pandora’s box with the introduction of their
Holiday Skin body lotion last year. Recognising
that no-one in their right minds wants to
appear with a sudden chestnut brown tan these
days, the Holiday Skin technology means that
you can build up a subtle but golden tan over a
number of days by using the product each
PRODUCT WITH ATTITUDE
Alfred Kinsey is to human behaviour what I am to beauty
behavior. We’re both responsible for uncovering the most
private secrets of the human species. The ever celebrated
zoologist estimated that ten per cent of the population indulges
in regular same-sex shenanigans (now there’s an
underestimation if ever I saw one). I, on the other hand, estimate
that nine out of ten people have dark circles under their eyes.
Raccoon-ringed peepers are a common beauty complaint,
and since I’m your buddy ombudsman in such matters, I feel it
is my duty to alleviate aggrieved pandas.
morning or evening, and then keep it in place
by using it every second or third day after that.
The success of the Holiday Skin body lotion
was so huge, the company decided to introduce
a facial moisturiser on the same lines, and sales
rocketed.
The latest big player to venture into this
market is L’Oréal, under their Men Expert
banner. It’s the first time a skincare company has
targeted the male market with a tanning lotion,
and it looks set to succeed in spades. Even the
name, L’Oréal Hydra Energetic Anti-Dull Skin,
suggests a product that men can be attracted to
THEBEAUTYBITCH
From twinks to WOQs (Wrinkly Old Queens), we all
love being ladened down with bags, but not if they’re
under the eyes and black (sorry WOQs, it kinda goes
with your territory). Dark circles are famously
annoying. They make people look tired, skeletal,
unhealthy and haggard (shame on you for
thinking of Linda Martin). Unfortunately, there’s
no permanent cure, unless you’re compelled
to the scalpel. Fortunately though, there is a
way to deceive, so there’s no excuse for
panda-looking poofs, who regrettably are
not an endangered species.
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
without embarrassment. And for gay guys, the
product itself is the perfect answer to grey winter
skin, with no embarrassment whatsoever.
The cream contains Vitamin E and DHA,
which reacts with the skin for a natural looking
colour, while boosting the skin’s moisture levels
for optimum hydration. In layman terms, this
means that after shaving in the morning, if you
put this stuff on you’ll have a day-long
moisture and within an hour your skin will
have an even and subtly golden glow. The
cream is a little on the runny side, but this
helps to give it an even effect, despite the
appearance of five o’clock shadow and the like.
The idea with this product is similar to that
with Johnson & Johnson’s Holiday Skin. The
bottle advises you to apply it every day until
the desired colour is achieved, and then every
second day after that, alternating with another
moisturiser. If you don’t want to be browner
than a berry in sunless Ireland, it’s advisable
only to apply this two days in a row and then
alternate. Its effects, though, are so immediate,
you’ll be able to judge for yourself. And it really
does look natural.
Another tanning moisturiser aimed squarely
at men is California North Titanium Self Tanner.
This little wonder creates a light, natural looking
facial tan, much in the same build-it-up way, but
the sweet difference is that it also contains sun
protection Factor 7. It’s a nice smelling cream
that leaves your skin feeling silky smooth and
the tanning elements kicking in after an hour or
so. The tan it gives is very even and realistic
looking – no orange highlights. It’s best to give
this one about three days before skipping to
once every second day mode.
With all self-tanning moisturisers, it’s highly
advisable to exfoliate your skin before first use
and to avoid contact with water for about four
hours after application. Also make sure to wash
your hands immediately after application. There’s
no better giveaway that you’re using false
tanning products than unfeasibly brown palms.
And if you’re looking for an all over effect,
ditch the moisturisers and get yourself a spray
tan. Heaven Grafton Street are giving GCN
readers a 20% discount on The Californian
Several chief make-up artists, who admit to working
on those obscure films that no one has ever seen, swear
by Clinique’s new All About Eyes Concealer. Why?
Because it disguises, de-circles and de-puffs.
Simply dot underneath each eye, and you’ll
no longer look sunken or drunken. And
yes, it holds make-up and fake bake in
place, as long as you use your ring finger
to lightly press. Perfect for gays.
Come into my world of beauty.
E-mail: thebeautyb@hotmail.com
Spray Tan this month, and it’s the glowiest,
most natural spray-on we’ve come across in a
long time folks.
L’Oréal Paris Men Expert Hydra Energetic
Tanning, rrp €11.99
California North Titanium Self Tanner,
available exclusively at www.4men.ie in two
sizes: 200ml Bottle €24.00 & 473ml Pump
version €41.00
Johnson & Johnson Holiday Skin Daily Facial
Moisturiser, rrp €8.99
The Californian Spray Tan at Heaven on
Grafton Street, rrp €35 with a 20% discount for
GCN readers throughout April.
FOR MEN AND WOMEN
• California Spray Tan •
Male Brazilian Wax • Dermalogica facials
• All types of Massage •
Gift Vouchers Available
..every Body wants to
go to Heaven..
Top Floor, 51 Grafton St, D2. Ph 677 0777
www.heavenfaceandbody.com
FACE IT!
ROSANNA CROTHERS
BEAUTY SALON FOR MEN & WOMEN
WHERE DUBLIN'S BEAUTIFUL
PEOPLE GO TO LOOK GOOD!
Offering a wide variety of treatments
including facials, waxing, and non
surgical face lifts, with specialist
products to suit both men and women.
89 Morehampton Road,
Donnybrook, Dublin 4
Ph: (01) 660 8408
Fax: (01) 660 8407
E: info@rosannacrothers.com
www.rosannacrothers.com
www.gcn.ie April 2006 GCN 19

FOOD
THEBIGDISH
A three course meal complete with near-naked dancers isn’t the
usual dining experience on Dublin’s restaurant scene, but as Brian
Finnegan and his friends discovered, the chow down at Stringfellows
is as good as you’ll get in the city.
It’s not often you get to eat a top of the range
three course meal complete with A-plus
service while almost naked babes and boys
gyrate and gesticulate in corner of your eye,
but at Stringfellows from Monday to Saturday,
dinner with dishy dancers is the order of the
night. To give the kitchen the kind of highstandards
a discerning Dublin diner has come
to expect, Stringfellows Maitre D, the lovely
Derek, drafted in the creators of Dawson
Street’s super-successful Town House Bar and
Grill to help Chef Simon Collins create a
menu that keeps punters happy.
Because Friday and Saturday nights at
Stringfellows are ‘mixed nights’, e.g. the
dancers are both male and female, my friends
and I decided on an early Saturday night
dinner. The venue, if you haven’t seen it yet, is
an exercise in tacky chic - all leopard print
chairs, velvet curtains, chandeliers and
baroque mirrors, so subtly lit our waiter came
20 GCN April 2006 www.gcn.ie
equipped with a handy pen-torch to help us
read the menu.
I chose a Selection of Cured Meats with
Curried Hummus and Spiced Lentils (€23) to
start, while my friends chose a Half Dozen
Galway Bay Oysters with Shallot and Red
Wine Vinegar (€15) and the Natural Oak
Smoked Salmon with Crab Roulade and
Dressed Rocket (€16) respectively. The higher
price for my cured meats meant that I got a
main course portion of chorizo, cured beef,
Serrano and two other kinds of ham I couldn’t
fully identify. The accompanying humus and
lentils were small in portion, but the lentils
especially were a perfect compliment to the
chorizo, which was spicy in the most palatable
way. The humus was a little dry, but its sweet
curried flavour spread well with the hams.
Wanting to leave room for my main, I felt it was
unwise to finish the meats but my friends both
cleaned their plates. There’s little you can do
wrong with a good batch of oysters, and these
were chosen with care; the accompanying
vinaigrette had a sweet ‘n’ sour tang that lifted
the experience. Of the three starters, the
smoked salmon was the most disappointing,
but only because it’s eater doesn’t like it heavy
on the mayo. He found the salmon’s smoked
flavour just subtle enough, but wasn’t too
turned on by the crab roulade, which had the
texture of coleslaw and, he felt, blanded out the
salmon.
My main, as recommended by our attentive
waiter, was the ‘Papillion’, a Butterfly Fillet
Steak (€35), which I had served with two sauces
on the side - a Wild Mushroom and Bourse
Cheese Sauce and a Red Wine Jus. My friends
2005 Food & Wine Magazine
Winner Best World Cuisine
2004 Restaurant Association of Ireland
Winner of Best Ethnic Restaurant in Dublin
Bridgestone Guide Top 100
Restaurant in Ireland since 2001
Included in The Georgina Campbell’s Ireland
The Best of The Best
28 Eustace Street Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Tel: (01) 670 4911 Fax: (01) 494 4359
Website: www.montys.ie Email: montys@eircom.net
both ordered the Pan-Seared Sea Bass Fillet
served on Sun-dried Tomato and Spinach
Potatoes with Black Olive Teenage (€36) from
an extensive and interesting fish menu that
had them both watering at the mouth. We
ordered French Fries and Deep-fried Tobacco
Onions (€5 each) to share as sides. There was
not one complaint about our mains. We tucked
into them with relish - my steak was ordered
medium and cooked medium (a rare luxury)
and literally melted in the mouth. Of my two
sauces, I preferred the Mushroom and Bourse
with its piquant undertone perfectly setting off
the meat’s sweetish flavour.
The Sea Bass was “cooked to perfection”
according to both my dining partners and they
loved the mixture of sundried tomatoes and
spinach, which added a depth to the dish they
haven’t experienced before. We washed down
our meal with two bottles of the house Cabarnet
(€35), which had a well-rounded berry flavour
with a hint of cinnamon on the palette.
Before we ate the Maitre D asked us
whether we wanted dancers to approach us or
not, and we decided at least not while we were
eating. In between our main and desert two
girls approached us and were “shocked” (!)
and disappointed to hear we were all raving
homosexuals. Later, after my Crème Brûleé
with Traditional Crème Anglaise and
Caramelised Top (€10), which was the only
disappointing part of the meal - overly sugary
and gloopy with a too-sticky top - both my
friends, who didn’t order desert, plumped for a
dance from the beautifully buff and
particularly friendly Irish dancer, Danny. It
was a succulent ending to a great meal,
keeping us in good stead for the night ahead
on the scene.
Stringfellows, as I said, is hardly your usual
eating out experience, but it is one well worth
experiencing, if not for the fantastic food, but
then the buff boys and girls on hand to help
get those digestive juices flowing.
If you want to get a party flowing, the dining
room upstairs seats 50 in comfortable
ambience, complete with hot pole dancers,
while a VIP room for 20 can be booked too.
Dinner at Stringfellows, Monday to Saturday
8.30pm - 2am, The Parnell Centre, Parnell St,
Dublin 1

FILMS
TRANSAMERICA ▼▼▼▼
Dir: Duncan Tucker, Opens 24 March
After enduring the sticks and stones of deep-south
rednecks, shady hitchhikers, judgmental doctors and
her cheeky, drug-addled son, pre-op transsexual
Bree Osbourne defiantly declares, “My body
may be a work-in-progress, but there is nothing
wrong with my soul”. That single rousing
cinematic proclamation carries more
explosive impact than 10 Hollywood
blockbusters combined. Transamerica is the
anti-Brokeback Mountain. Suffering and selfloathing
gives way to unapologetic pride in
the most spiritually affirming transsexual
road movie to emerge in the short history of
the genre.
Days before Stanley Osbourne (Felicity
Huffman) is set to go under the knife to become
Sabrina (Bree) Osbourne, a startling phone call from
the son she never knew she had turns her life
upside down. Guilted into bailing him out of jail in New
York and driving him back to LA, Bree struggles to define
the nature of a relationship born far off the beaten
path. Her delinquent son is a male hustler,
aspiring gay porn star and fine foil to her
primness. He shoplifts, turns tricks
and pontificates on the
homoerotic undertones of
Lord of the Rings as they
ramble across the back
roads of America. It all
culminates in one of the
RENT ▼▼▼
Dir. Chris Columbus, Opens April 7
The original production of Rent hit the stage
in 1996, and went on to collect a bounty of
awards and the groundbreaking show
continues to dazzle Broadway audiences ten
years on. But the film crowd is an entirely
different animal and it took a truly courageous
studio to sink money into this big screen
adaptation. Putting family-film maestro Chris
Columbus (Home Alone, Harry Potter) at the
helm of a jaunty musical about modern day
bohemians coping with love, loss, Aids and
drugs seems like an insurance policy against
things becoming too fringe. Such caution was
largely unwarranted. Diluted by time, Rent is
hardly the lightning rod it once was, but it’s
still an important marker in an era when
ignorance of the Aids crisis remains pervasive.
Jonathan Larson’s Broadway mega-hit
paints in broad strokes, with a dash of HIV
here, a dab of heroin addiction there and a
gloss of feel-good gooiness holding it all
together. In the Fisher-Price world of Rent,
New York’s East 11th Street feels more like
Sesame Street and one could be forgiven for
expecting Oscar the Grouch himself to pop out
of a rubbish bin and declare his HIV status.
Rent follows a group of artists of various
(un)disciplines who band together to stop the
construction of a media centre that would
provide a foundation for their creative
endeavours. The logic of their ostensibly self-
defeating battle is never clear, but it must
have something to do with Larson’s quixotic
idealisation of the starving artist experience.
In its original form, Rent is a starry-eyed and
idealistic lark, inoffensive but ineffectual. Its
romanticised view of poverty is curious and its
spunky characters border on obnoxious. But
while the source material may be somewhat
rickety, the production itself is terrifically
theatrical and energetic. There hasn’t been a
musical that’s been this shamelessly musical in
years. The wall to wall songs are passionately
performed with much of the original Broadway
cast returning for the movie.
On one level, it all feels gratingly earnest
and irritatingly naïve. But on another, it’s a
joyous, unabashed celebration with nary a selfconscious
beat. You may leave the cinema
muttering under your breath about the
sanitised Pollyannaism of it all, but you’ll still
fall asleep humming one of its incessantly
catchy tunes.
Dustin Leimgruber
▼▼▼▼ Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious ▼▼▼ I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore
▼▼ You’re terrible, Muriel! ▼ Christina! Bring me the axe!
most complicated emotional Gordian knots ever scripted.
Director Duncan Tucker isn’t afraid of the occasional joke
at Bree’s expense, but the film is never cute and its
pervasive humour never panders. Bree is not without a
healthy reserve of self-deprecation, but dogged
determination and unfaltering fearlessness is her
shield against less progressive minds. Huffman is
fascinating as a man one step away from complete
transformation. Her affected, stilted speech and
awkward manner expertly suggest a person in
transition, adjusting to an exterior that finally
matches what lies within. Gorgeous newcomer Kevin
Zegers co-stars as Bree’s son. With moppish good
looks and bad-puppy charisma, Zegers manages the
Herculean feat of scene-stealing from the masterful
Huffman.
For every filmic gem that celebrates the LGBT
experience in all its complexity, there are 10 more films
that embalm and memorialise it. Transamerica is a
joyful movie that spans uncharted cultural and
emotional divides. It’s just too bad Bree didn’t
take a side trip through Wyoming to
share a beer with Jack and Ennis.
She could have taught
those shame-wracked
cowpokes a few
things about selfimage.
Dustin
Leimgruber
YOU’VE BEEN FRAMED
Homosexual undertones in classic movies
with Nicholas Holland
NO.21: NOTORIOUS
(Dir: Alfred Hitchcock 1946)
Like many gay men and women of
the time, Ingrid Bergman’s
character in Notorious is trapped in
a sham of a marriage. Instead of
her sexuality, what she’s keeping
from Claude Rains is her identity as
an American spy who’s married him
to discover his uranium-smuggling secrets, and instead of a
lesbian lover on the side she’s got Cary Grant, but apart from
that it’s spot-on.
Like many who felt forced to hide in marriage, Bergman
feels she has no choice but to take part in this operation – to
make up for her family’s notoriety after her late father turned
out to be a German spy.
Bergman and Grant go about their investigations using the
interesting technique of acting incredibly suspiciously at all
times and leaving behind plenty of clues as they search in -
what else – a series of closets.
Rains’ character is not free of gay subtext either, being a
middle-aged man who still lives with his mother and has only
male friends. He proposes to Bergman within days of their
meeting, fitting every stereotype of a lesbian relationship.
To cap it all, the action takes place in Rio, which taken
together with the title is two Duran Duran songs namechecked
before we’re even out of the gates.
See more of Nicholas Holland’s writing at http://nick730.livejournal.com
“...A SHOW-STOPPING, BREATHTAKING AND TRULY WONDERFUL FILM .”
PAUL FISCHER - DARK HORIZONS
AT SELECTED CINEMAS APRIL 7
(CHECK LOCAL PRESS FOR DETAILS)
15A
www.gcn.ie April 2006 GCN 21

MUSIC
THE CHOICE CUT
MORRISSEY ▼▼▼▼▼
Ringleader of the Tormentors/Sanctuary
What’s up with Morrissey? He’s all over the place. His latest and eighth album
takes in more tempo changes than your average night at a Broadway show.
Still, despite the musical experimentation, Ringleader of the Tormenters is as
full of torment and torch as a Morrissey album ever was. It is suffused with
suffering, but the angst and anger is backed by soaringly romantic
orchestration, a touch that brings out the full flavour of Morrissey’s
particular kind of soul searching in the best possible taste. As such it’s the
best lyrical curveball he’s thrown our way since The Smiths bequeathed us
Meat is Murder way back when.
In tune with Morrissey’s usual raison d’etre, this is a purely
autobiographical album, and it’s all there - the brooding popster’s life laid
bare from birth to imagined demise. A lush, epic production that rocks,
swings and croons about love, sex, death and all the messy bits in between, it
has a strange resonance with the best of The Smiths years, taking us back
PRINCE ▼▼▼
3121/Universal
Prince’s follow up to 2004’s lack-lustre
Musicology, the imaginatively titled 3121
is designed to resecure the purple one’s
place in the hearts of DJs everywhere.
Featuring guest appearances from new Prince
protegée Tamar as well as saxophonist Maceo
Parker, 3121 serves up more the artist’s multilayered
style, clever instrumentation and, best of
all, some great, classic Prince-stomping tunes,
namely Beyond, Black Sweat and earlier single Te
Amo Corazón. The other stand-outs here
are the title cut, the Tamar duet
Beautiful, Loved & Blessed and Fury,
which is vintage Prince, with the
expected splashes of rock, R&B and jazz.
One of two R&B-tinged tunes finds Prince
rapping swiftly, while funky standout Lolita
(“Lolita/you’re sweet-a/but you’ll never make a
cheater outta me”) seems primed to be chosen as
the single to bring back glory days. But are we like
we’re gonna party like it was 1999 all over again? It
depends on whether we want to go back there.
Shane McNamara
Gay Switchboard Dublin is looking for
new volunteers, both male and female
Training will commence mid-April ’06
If you are interested in joining, please write to: The Director,
Gay Switchboard Dublin, Carmichael House, North Brunswick St. D7
or e-mail: director@gayswitchboard.ie
Gay Switchboard Dublin provides confidential telephone help-line services for gay men, lesbians,
bisexual men and women, those questioning their sexuality, their families and friends. We are there
for you at all stages of your life; from confusion around your sexuality, through coming out, with
your key relationships, if you are lonely or isolated and also for practical information on subjects
like safer sex, the commercial/non-commercial scene, legal, medical and travel issues.
22 GCN April 2006 www.gcn.ie
Telephone: (01) 872 1055
Opening Hours Mon - Fri 7.30pm - 9.30pm. Sat 3.30pm - 6.00pm
there in a kind of subtly subconscious way -
it’s nostalgic for that time, but in a way you
can’t quite pin down.
The tracks here are harrowing tales of the
emotionally distracted and the message is
that Morrissey, it seems, has suffered more
than most when it comes to the old l’Amour.
But what a bonus his pain is for us. He’s
mined twelve 24-carat gold nuggets from his
anguish. Songs with titles like Dear God, Please Help Me, You Have Killed me,
and the distractingly malcontent Life is a Pigsty turn his trials into a triumph
of aural pleasure, with string arrangements sweeping in and out of his
trademark ironic wordplay to give the whole thing an overblown cinematic
quality that rings perfectly.
Ringleader of the Tormenters is the agony and the ecstasy all rolled into
one hell of a good album. Pass the hanky, I’m heading for the dancefloor.
Shane McNamara
THE LIKE ▼▼▼▼
Are You Thinking What
I’m Thinking/Geffen
Well, here’s what I’m
thinking: How come three
post-teen LA babes could
have got that 1990s British rock chic thing so right.
They’re PJ Harvey, Bjork and Shirley Manson all
joined up at the edges, blended with the best of US
indie sounds from the same time. Are You
Thinking What I’m Thinking? is what Mel C tried to
do with Northern Star, and failed. It’s a rock album
cool enough to cross over into pop, without a selfconscious
note to stop of it becoming creditable.
Opening track June Gloom’ bounces in on a
happy-out drum beat building up to a heavy guitar
lash, showcasing lead singer Z Berg’s zoned out
vocals, the key element to this album’s quotient of
hip. All three girls get to showcase what they’ve
got on What I Say And What I Mean, a powerhouse
of grrrrrl rock repackaged for chart success. Bridge
to Nowhere is a melancholic musical paean to the
era of grunge.
It’s an impressive debut from such a young
band, but the only question is can they last the
pace. The jury’s out on that one, but for now, I’m
definitely liking The Like.
Mary Considine
PINKCLASSICS
▼▼▼▼ I just can’t get you outta my head ▼▼▼ Better the devil
MARTY’S PICKS
ARCTIC MONKEYS
Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not/Domino
Having tried my utmost to ignore the super hype
that came with the brilliant Fake Tales Of San
Francisco, Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor
and current single The Sun Goes Down, I was initially
disappointed at the fact that there are no lyrics included in
the debut album from Sheffield’s darlings.
However, it only took one listen to realise that Alex Turner’s
diction, although quintessentially Northern English, is in
fact easy to understand throughout. The comedic Riot Van
and Coronation Street sentiment of Mardy Bum merely
suggest Turner’s insight is not so newly found. Either he’s
lying about his age (19) or we are in the presence of pure
genius. Superb.
BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE
Broken Social Scene/Arts And Crafts
Surfing on the crest of Canadian brilliance come
the largest of collectives consisting of members of Do Make
Say Think, Stars and Feist to name but a few. This
eponymously titled third offering from Broken Social Scene
was, I must admit, confusing on first listen, in so much as it
was simply hard to compare with anything I’ve ever heard
before. Then 7/4 Shoreline saved the day. It’s melody refused
to leave my head, a sign I’ve become accustomed to and
greet as a harbinger of greatness. As Fire Eyed Boy
continues to seep into my psyche, my realisation that this
album will be with me for a very long time is truly a joyous
one. Essential.
STEREOLAB
Fab Four Suture/Too Pure
Conveniently compiled as one long player for all
and sundry to enjoy, Fab Four Suture was originally released
as a series of collectible 7” singles. But, forever the artistic
pioneers and prolific to boot, Stereolab continue to churn
out the ditties and these days don’t let anyone or anything
get in their way of their ridiculous song titles and complex
song structures. Although the repetitive Krautrock of
Kyberneticka Babicka Pt. 1 and 2 may seem out of place
beside the groovement of Interlock and I Was A Sunny
Rainphase, this is undoubtedly the sound of Stereolab and
as unique as it gets. Exciting.
THE ALBUMS NO QUEER COLLECTION SHOULD BE
WITHOUT...
NO’20: PET SHOP BOYS
VERY (1993)
Few acts combine thump and message better than the Pet Shop
Boys. Their 1993 album Very is both gorgeously produced dance
music and a catalogue of gay experience, from the opening
song about a sexually ambivalent man getting grief from his
girlfriend (Can You Forgive Her?) to older men drinking silently
in a gay bar (To Speak is a Sin).
Go West is a resplendent homage to the Village People, filled
out with a hearty men’s chorus. Dreaming of the Queen is an
AIDS lament, in the form of a visit from Queen Elizabeth II and
Princess Diana (“and Di replied that there are no more lovers
left alive, no one has survived”).
The original CD cover design was in an opaque, blaze orange, Lego-like jewel case. If you happen to
own one, and you’ve never taken it apart, you’re in for a surprise, because there’s extra art between
the CD tray and the back cover.

TRUTH AND DARE
Self-releasing and promoting an album on an already
crowded music market isn’t for the faint-hearted, but
as Rachel Armstrong found out, lesbian singer Shaz
Oye is no pussy. And she’s going to be big
Shaz Oye is on the cusp. She’s just
released her debut album, Truth,
she’s getting airplay on the radio
and her face is plastered all over
Dublin’s billboards. But getting this
far hasn’t been easy.
“I feel like I’ve graduated college,” she laughs
over a creamy Irish coffee in Dublin’s city
centre. “I can’t afford to be complacent, though.
We may be a self-financing, back-bedroom label
but the industry expects the same of us as the
huge labels.”
This knowledge of the music industry is
something that sets Shaz apart from many of her
peers. This is no ingénue, waiting to be discovered.
Along with her partner in music and life, Patricia
Kennedy, she is strategically plotting her attack on
the music industry one campaign at a time.
“I feel that the market in Ireland, although it’s a
smaller territory than in other countries, if
anything it’s even more competitive; Ireland is
awash with talent.
“The reality of it is that most music journalists
and DJs are probably getting around 50 CDs every
week and that’s excluding all of the major foreign
stuff that comes in. They can’t possibly be
expected to get through all of them. So they’ll get
a load of CDs on their desk, which will include
someone’s demo along with the latest Madonna or
whatever, so it’s tough. You have to be prepared to
find resources and step up to the mark.”
This no nonsense approach is an offshoot of
Shaz’s years of working in management, a career
that culminated in her directorship of Dublin Aids
Alliance (DAA). The years she and Patricia spent in
high-pressure management positions in the past
are proving invaluable.
“This is a business,” she says. “There are a
number of different aspects of the business. You
can work developing your skills as a production
assistant, you could probably earn a living as a
session musician, or you might look for residency
somewhere as a musician. But if you’re going into
the record business then that is the business of
selling records. It’s a commercial business and my
music is a product that I want to sell. That’s the
reality of it.”
All this talk of ways to succeed in the record
business brings us on to talk of You’re A Star.
When I ask Shaz would she have done a Louise
Killeen and appeared on the RTÉ pop reality TV
show, she thinks for a long time.
“No, I just don’t think it’s me. That audience
isn’t my market for a start, you know? But I really
admire Louise, I really, really take my hat off to
her. Fair play to her for being up there and
coming out on national television, it was a brave
thing to do. The exposure she got was just
unbelievable, I mean to be on national television
is just fantastic for her career.”
“We may be a
self-financing,
back-bedroom
label but the
industry expects
the same of us as
the huge labels.”
Don’t, for a moment, let all of this talk of
product; markets and business make you think that
Shaz isn’t first and foremost an artist. The only
thing she works at harder than selling her product
is producing that product.
“I really enjoyed recording this album,” she
beams. “Dave McCune, who co-produces with me,
sourced absolutely fantastic and really talented
musicians to work on it with me. I work all the
time in a vacuum, so to work in such a
collaborative way was just great. It was fantastic to
be able to bounce ideas off these guys and have
them come up with stuff.”
Shaz experienced a particularly precious
moment in the recording process with pianist
Gavin Murphy.
“We were working on a song called Prisoner,
which is the only cover on the album and had
finished it with loads of time to spare. So I said to
him ‘I’d just like to hear what piano parts you might
come up with’ for a song called Truth, which I’d
played with a bit at home. Gavin started to play
and I began to sing along and Dave came in and
said ‘Sure we’ll just put that down for the hell of it’.
After we did it was all kind of looked at one
another and said, ‘That’s really good actually’. Just
on the fly. It was a great moment.”
The release of a debut album is a landmark in
any musician’s career but Shaz isn’t resting on her
laurels. “I look at the careers of independents like
Zrazy or people like Damien Rice or Jack L, or
Juliet Turner or David Gray; they were all small
independents who were self-financing and have
made it. They’ve had the hard slog, difficulty
getting gigs and airplay, the whole lot. So, they’ve
paved the way for people like me. They’ve made a
kind of map. It’s not as easy as it once was but it
can be done, and hopefully I’ll be able to do it.”
Truth According to Shaz Oye is currently on
release. Find out more at www.shazoye.com
www.gcn.ie April 2006 GCN 23

HIV
HOME OF
THE BRAVE
Jeff Nilsen is one of many HIV Positive non-EU nationals
in Ireland who are being threatened with deportation to
countries where the medication they need to stay alive is
unavailable. But as Rachel Armstrong discovers, he’s
not going back without a fight.
Jeff Nilsen came to Ireland from South Africa
in 2001 so he could take advantage of the
boom in the economy and use his experience
in the restaurant business to make a life for
himself. After some time working for the
Bewleys group he was let go. Jeff alleges this
was because they found out his HIV status.
“They said I had lied on my application
form,” he says. What he had actually done
was answer ‘no’ to the question ‘Do you
suffer from any debilitating diseases?’ Jeff
didn’t consider his HIV positive status to fit
into that category.
Under Irish law, an immigrant’s employer
holds their working permit, so without a job
Jeff is being forced to go back to a country
that is no longer his home. Worse than that,
he is being sent to a country where Aids is
rife and the medication Jeff needs is
unavailable.
“With the things are in South Africa at the
24 GCN April 2006 www.gcn.ie
moment,” explains Jeff, “payment for any and
all medication has to come out of your own
pocket. The only people who get medication
for free are pregnant women and wealthy
peopl,e and even they only get the most basic
anti-retroviral meds.”
As a result, should Jeff be forced to return
to South Africa, he has no hope of ever being
“After some time working for the
Bewley’s group Jeff was let go, allegedly
because they found out his HIV status.”
able to get the anti virals he needs to keep
healthy. “I started on the medication four
months ago and now that I’m on them I need
to stay on them. I feel healthier now than I
have since I was 19 and I want to stay
healthy.”
Jeff has been reduced to begging the
government to be allowed stay in Ireland. “I
applied for asylum to avoid being sent back
and for the last three or four years I’ve been
trying to get permission to remain in Ireland.
We’ll be in the High Court in April to get a
date for the hearing. It’s a scary time.”
Challenging the isolation of HIV through peer support
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with your own personal fitness instructor!
Full range of complementary therapies
Counselling service available
Gay Club on the First Tuesday of the month
Good food and company from Monday to Thursday
INQUIRIES ABOUT MEMBERSHIP TO PAUL OR JAMES AT TEL: (01) 830 5000
OR EMAIL: james@openhearthouse.ie. www.openhearthouse.ie
POSITIVE THINKING with Noel Walsh
It seems that the medical profession and some nongovernmental
organisations (NGOs) have finally realised that
the needs of positive people have changed dramatically. A
new book published by St. James’s Sexual Health Clinic, aimed
at the families and friends of HIV positive people has touched
on a lot of our changing needs today.
Reading the book has made me realise how much life for
positive people has changed, particularly for the newly
diagnosed. In the past it seemed that the struggle for positive
people was for services around treatments and basically to
make life comfortable until the end of the road. Now that the
goal posts have been moved, and we are no longer looking at
an early departure, it has become clear that we need proper
services and acceptance from the rest of society.
I was in the clinic yesterday for my three-monthly
appointment and I met a few friends who I regularly run into
while there. Four of us were diagnosed a long time ago and as
I looked at the group it occurred to me that withouth the new
medications each of us would more than likely be a patch on
the AIDS memorial quilt by now. Between the four of us we
have had three heart attacks, a hip replacement, a dose of
pneumonia and Kaposi’s Sarcoma.
So what about the future? The drugs that came out at the
beginning are still the mainstay of most combinations, and
through combining different drugs together there have been
improvements in the quality of life for people living with HIV. A
new study in France has found that people who are doing well
on medication live as long as their counterparts who are HIV
negative. Of course everything has a down side and the HIV
virus is no exception to that. A study in the UK has found that
The thought of being turfed out of your
home is something that never enters the
minds of most people, but this is a real worry
for Jeff and his partner David.
“We’ve been together for over two years
now and been living together for nearly 18
months. David has been a great support to
me in this time and is, obviously, another
reason I want to stay here. We’re a family and
are very happy together. I don’t want the
government to break that up.”
Jeff has no complaints about his treatment
from the Irish government; he just wants
them to allow him to get on with his life.
“I’m treated very well over here. I get a
rent allowance, a diet allowance and so on
but I don’t want to take, take, take, I have
abilities, I want to work and pay my way.”
Jeff is hoping that GCN’s readers will help
him out in his appeal.
“If people from the gay community who
empathise with what I am going through and
understand the life-threatening effect being
sent back to South Africa could have on me,
would write to Minister Michael McDowell
on my behalf, it might mean the difference
between staying here with David, or being
deported,” he says.
GCN readers can send an email to Minister
McDowell on Jeff’s behalf to
minister@justice.ie, and cc it to Jeff at
tomcat45.jef@gmail.com
one in five newly diagnosed people are showing up with some
resistance to antiviral medications. This study and others
from around the world are showing that drug-resistant strains
of the virus are becoming more and more common. What we
need are new drugs, but there are very few in the pipeline.
The class of drugs I have written about before, known as
entry inhibitors have had some success with T-20 being the
only one in use at the moment. The other class of drugs,
called CCR5, which block HIV from using a chemical that helps
the virus invade the CD4 cells, have run into problems. A few
different types of this new class of drugs are in the study
stage at the moment. Some had to be stopped because of
liver toxicity, some are continuing, but there are some reports
that even those are showing signs of liver problems in some
of the study participants.
Today, being on medication is part of
being HIV positive and whinging and
fantasising about conspiracies from drug
companies and the CIA will only get you
six feet under.
So while we can’t change drug reactions
and we are at the mercy of an ever-changing
HIV virus, we need more education around HIV
medications. We need more information on
drug resistance and how to avoid it. Most of
all we need to be able to be open about our
status without the fear of rejection. We can
make a difference by challenging
stigmatisation, discrimination and the
criminalisation of people living with HIV.

BOOKS
TALES OF THE
FAIR CITY
With its polysexual characters and lighthearted plot,
Caroline Williams debut novel has been described as a
Dublin Tales of the City, but the author had more serious
things on her mind, as Deborah Ballard found out
Caroline Williams, whom many
readers will know from her work
with Glasshouse theatre
company, has just published her
first novel, Pretending. Central to
the narrative are Eleanor, the initially strong
and independent lesbian mother of seven year-
old Ciara, and Ciara’s estranged father Cuan,
who is coming to terms with his identity as a
woman.
Around Cuan and Eleanor revolves a rich
world of other characters who are also going
through profound changes, in particular
Martina, who is in love with Cuan, and has her
own demons to fight.
At the heart of the novel is the issue of
parenting and re-parenting. Many of the
characters struggle with the loss of parents or
children - the book is full of the ghosts of
babies - and attempt to compensate for their
own inadequate parenting and make stronger
relationships with their children.
“For me parenting and the notion of family
is central,’ Caroline says. “The characters are
all late developers in a way - or ‘late’ if
everything is supposed to be clearly defined
and settled as teenager. One of the journeys I
had to make in my own life was how to live
fully as a lesbian and a mother, and it took me
a while - longer than my characters!
“In a way I wanted the book
to allow for many possible
families - chosen ones, and
accidental ones. Whether that’s
‘family’ in the sense of the
people we can be ourselves
with, or the families we are
born into but who don’t really
know us, and families that
aren’t the traditional
heterosexual unit... I have a
very unconventional family
myself, and I wanted to
explore all those possibilities
in the book.”
None of the relationships
are straightforward, apart
from the happy partnership of Martina’s
colleague James and his boyfriend Eamonn.
“That’s the idealised relationship in it!”
Caroline agrees. “But it’s not clear where
they’ll [all] be in three years’ time. I think I’ve
bestowed on [Eleanor’s lover] Beth tremendous
patience! I didn’t want it to be simply tied up at
the end. I mean, people have a lot of living still
to do.”
Cuan, in his secrecy and distress, is a
curiously passive and enigmatic character,
round whom many of the characters revolve.
Why did she choose a transgendered character
in this pivotal role? “I suppose I wanted that
character’s journey and bravery - and
truthfulness - to be a catalyst for the other
characters to move a little.” Re-establishing
contact with Cuan weakens the armour
Eleanor has built around herself, and Martina
is forced into coming to terms with herself
through confronting the complex nature of her
relationship with Cuan.
Caroline tackles head-on the paradox of
gender dysphoria, the irredeemable maleness
in a man who understands himself as a
woman, by putting Cuan’s astounding potency
- three babies result from his only two attempts
at sex - at the heart of the book. “The potency
of the character is an irony, I suppose... I
remember reading Jan Morris’ Conundrum
many years ago, and being struck by the fact
that she had five or six children when she lived
as a man. I was also struck by the line she used
to describe her wife Elizabeth - she said that
they were ‘instantly, utterly, improbably and
permanently attuned to one another’, and I
wanted to give those qualities to the two
‘couples’ in the book, and let them try figure
out if that was intimacy, desire, love or both.”
The difficulties which can arise between
transgendered people and their children is
sensitively handled in the novel, when Ciara
asks Cuan for a photograph. “It becomes very
important to [Ciara] to have this photograph,
“One of the journeys I
had to make in my own
life was how to live fully
as a lesbian and a mother,
and it took me a while.”
and Cuan is resisting, because he doesn’t want
the fixity of that. Is it her right or not her right? I
allowed her take a bit of control, and not give
him the camera to have it developed, so that she
would have this photo. This is how she seems to
him at that moment... even though he’s so fluid,
and moving. She fixes him for herself.”
The predicaments of the characters are
handled with a light touch, yet without taking
away from the very real pain they feel. In the
mainstream media, she says, Pretending has
been taken up as a fun, light book. “To me it’s
a serious book. It came at a time of change in
my life. It is funny, but it’s written from a
serious place. People will be disappointed
perhaps that it isn’t an in-depth exploration of
any one of the characters - it’s not written in
the first person, so most of the time we see
them though each other’s eyes - or each
other’s blinkers! It gallops along at times,
which will frustrate people, yet the real change
is at times achingly slow.”
And why ‘Pretending’? “I wanted each of the
characters to fear not being known, more than
any other fear,” she says. “I wanted each to
confuse intimacy and desire... and which or
both is really the route to being known.”
Pretending by Caroline Williams is published
by Penguin Ireland, €14.89
NUA HAVEN
Gay Guesthouse/Bed & Breakfast,
Harolds Cross, Dublin 6W
(10 mins from City Centre)
P: 087 686 7062
e: haven@nua.cc
www.nua.cc
www.gcn.ie April 2006 GCN 25

SCENE AROUND
Your complete guide to the queer nation for March & April
COMMUNITY LISTINGS
DUBLIN & THE EAST
MONDAYS
■ The Emerald Warriors training every Monday and Thursday.
Beginners welcome – no experience necessary. All levels of
fitness taken into account. Time: 7pm in the Phoenix Park
Playing Fields. Kit needed: Tracksuit, towel, water, trainers
with a grip or boots if it’s wet.
■ Transgender Personal Development Course. To book your place
contact Gill on 085-730 3577 or e-mail gill@grs-thailand.com
■ WomenTalk - Informal discussion group for women in
Outhouse. Contact Petra on 01-873 4999 or e-mail
outreach@outhouse.ie
■ StreetAwareness & Self Defence course in Outhouse. Contact
Petra on 01-873 4999 or e-mail outreach@outhouse.ie
TUESDAYS
■ Personal Development Course for Men. Contact GMHP or
873 4952 or e: gmhpoutreach@eircom.net
■ Women Together AA group meets in OUThouse @ 6.30pm.
■ Johnny (Men’s Gay and Bisexual peer group) meet Outhouse.
T: (01) 873 4999 for details. First Tuesday of every month
■ Bi Irish soicial group for Bisexuals and friends meets second
Tuesday of the month in Outhouse Cafe @ 7pm sharp.
■ GIG (Gay International Group), multicultural group for women
and men Outhouse @ 7pm. First Tuesday of every month
■ Gloria LGB Choir, meets every Tuesday 7.30-7.30pm
E: info@gloria.ie T: Ian 086 354 5011 W: www.gloria.ie
WEDNESDAYS
■ Spanish @ Outhouse 6.30pm - 8.30pm
■ Friendly Gay Book Club meet @ Outhouse 8pm on the first
Wednesday of every month
■ Trans Support Ireland @ Outhouse. Dublin TS Support group
for Trans People over 18 whether pre-op, post-op or in
transition. This will be a peer support and discussion group
in an open and safe environment. T: 873 4999, Gill on 085
730 3577 or E: transsupportireland@hotmail.com
■ Men United - soccer club for gay men in Dublin (or further
afield), all levels welcome. Meet 1pm Saturdays and 8pm
Tuesdays. For more information: E: menunitedgfc@yahoo.ie
or T: 086 834 9078. www.menunitedgfc.com
■ G-Swim, gay men’s swimming group, meet 8.45pm
at statue outside the Markievicz Pool on Townsend Street
D2 E: Gswim@eircom.net
■ Dundalk Outcomers Fri, Sun & Wed 8.30-10.30pm
■ Amach Wicklow gay & lesbian group 2nd Weds of every
month in Ashford at 8.00pm
T: (087)763 1315 W:www.geocities.com/amach_wicklow/
■ N.A.H.B Outreach Services & Chrysalis Community Drug
Community working women’s health promotion service. 7-
9pm 27 Benburb st. Dublin 7. T: O1 6705544.
THURSDAYS
■ Venus: Women’s Night @ OUThouse. 7.00 - 9.00pm T: 873 4999
■ The Lady Birds. Group for lgbt young women 14-23. Every
Thursday in Outhouse 7-9pm T: 01 8734184
■ N.A. meeting @ Outhouse 8pm T: 873 4999
■ First Out is a confidential discussion group for women
exploring their sexuality. Meets the first Thursday of every
month in Outhouse at 7.30pm. For more info ring Outhouse at
01 873 4999
■ Gay Writers Group. Second & Fourth Thursday of Each Month.
7 - 9 PM. Outhouse Library. All welcome. Advice on
publishing, competitions, workshops and feedback on work in
progress. Info: queerwriters@hotmail.com or 086 849 9089.
■ The Phoenix Tigers, Dublin’s lesbian soccer team train every
Thursday night, 7.30pm - 9.00pm in Coláiste Íde, Finglas
Check out www.colaisteide.com for directions
New players always welcome,from beginners to pros.
For more details, e-mail info@phoenixtigers.com
■ The Emerald Warriors training every Monday and Thursday .
Beginners welcome – no experience necessary. All
26 GCN April 2006 www.gcn.ie
levels of fitness taken into account. Time: 7pm in the Phoenix
Park Playing Fields. Kit needed: Tracksuit, towel, water, trainers
with a grip or boots if it’s wet.
FRIDAYS
■ Swimmin Wimmin, meets at 7pm for a swim, a chat or just a
cuppa T: 087 773 1557 for info
■ Dining Out for gay men 087 286 3349
E: diningoutireland@hotmail.com
■ AA meeting @ OUThouse, 8pm
■ Men’s Night @ OUThouse, 7-10pm
■ Queer Studies Group. Open discussions @ WERRC Resource
Room, Arts Annex Building, UCD Belfield 6.00-8.00pm.
E: dublinqueerstudiesgroup@hotmail.com
■ Open Night @ Dundalk Outcomers 8.30 to 10.00pm
SATURDAYS
■ Iris (LGBTT mental health support group) OUThouse 2.30pm.
■ Live, Let Live AA Meetings @ Friends Meeting House
Abbey Street D1 6.30pm
■ Dublin Front Runners: running club for gay men and
women, all levels. Meet every Sat & Weds.
E: dublinfrontrunners@eircom.net for details
■ Men United - soccer club for gay men in Dublin (or further
afield), all levels welcome. Meet 1pm Saturdays and 8pm
Tuesdays. For more information:
E: menunitedgfc@yahoo.ie or T: 086 834 9078
www.menunitedgfc.com
■ Saturday Swingers. Womens Golfing group playing Par 3 golf
at various courses around Dublin. Tel: 087 987 1661 (daytime)
or 086 354 8017 (evenings) Mixed levels welcome.
■ The Dublin Gay Music Group is a gathering of gay men who
meet each Saturday afternoon to listen to recordings of
classical music. An outlet for enthusiasts of classical and
operatic music, the focus is on musical appreciation. New
members are welcome. W: http://info.dublinmusicgroup.com
■ REACH Gay Christian Group, meets second & last Saturday of
each month at Marianella, 75 Orwell Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6.
T: Gay Switchboard Dublin 872 1055. E: nfo@reachireland.net
W: www.reachireland.net
■ Labour LGBT meets on the Ground floor of Labour HQ, 17 Ely
Place, on the first Saturday of every month @ 4pm.
E: gbt@labour.ie. W:www.labour.ie
■ Open Night@ Dundalk Outcomers 8.30 to 10.00pm
■ LUBE (Leather Uniform Bear Encounter) gay men's group.
Meet last Saturday of every month, Henry Grattan’s on
Baggot St. from 9pm.
SUNDAYS
■ A.A. Meets in OUThouse @ 6.30pm.
■ BeLonG Teen. Group for 14 to 18 year-olds @ Outhouse 1pm. First
and third Sunday of each month T: Michael Barron 01 873 4184.
■ BeLonG To Youth Project, supporting and resourcing lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender young people aged 14 to 23
T:01 873 4184; E: belongto@eircom.net. Meets Outhouse the 1st
and 3rd Sunday of each month at 4pm (3.30 for newcomers)
■ Out & About Hillwalking Group meet @ National Concert Hall
Earlsfort Terrace 10am for a Wicklow Mountain hike.
w: www.esatclear.ie/~gay-hiking/
■ GLOW (Gays and Lesbians of Wexford) mixed social group,
for details of meeting E: glow@iol.ie T: (051) 879 907
■ Dundalk Outcomers Fri, Sun & Wed 8.30-10.30pm
COMMUNITY CENTRES
■ OUThouse, 105 Capel Street, Dublin 7 T: (01) 873 4999.
www.outhouse.ie
■ Dublin AIDS Alliance @ Eriu Centre, 53 Parnell Sq, D1
T: (01) 873 3799 W: www.dublinaidsalliance.com
■ Dundalk Outcomers, 8 Roden Place Dundalk T:042 932 9816
OTHER GROUPS
■ Dublin Pride. To contact call Myra on 086 874 4114 or Paul on
087 948 0767. E: proudqueer@eircom.net
■ Irish Queer Archive/Cartlánn Aerach na hÉireann
Ireland's LGBTQ archives and national repository for all
things queer. Open by appointment only.
E: irishqueerarchive@ireland.com
■ Men United - soccer club for gay men in Dublin (or further
afield), all levels welcome. Meet 1pm Saturdays and 8pm
Tuesdays. For more information:
E: menunitedgfc@yahoo.ie or T: 086 834 9078
www.menunitedgfc.com
■ The Phoenix Tigers, Dublin’s lesbian soccer team train every
Thursday night, 7:30pm - 9:00pm in Coláiste Íde, Finglas.
Check out www.colaisteide.com for directions.
New players always welcome,from beginners to pros.
For more details, e-mail info@phoenixtigers.com
■ Women's Hillwalking Group (new group). Are you a
Hillwalker? Would you like to go hillwalking with other
women? If so please contact 087 249 1624 or email
murielhaire@eircom.net
■ Older Women’s wining, dining networking group. Regular
meetings with a view to pursuing mutual social and cultural
interests. Email: verity20042000@yahoo.co.uk
■ A group for LGBT people who love their pets, and want to
meet up for dog walking, outdoor activities with their pets
(beaches, BBQs etc. when weather permits).
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/GayDogs
■ LGBT group for primary teachers in Ireland, North and South.
The group has the offical sanction of the Irish National
Teachers Organisation (INTO). Contact lgbt@INTO.ie or
T: 087 695 2839
■ Group for gay, lesbian and bisexual teachers teaching in
Ireland http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/glnbteachers/
■ GLUE - Gay and Lesbian Unions Eire. Group lobbying for
changes in the Partnership Laws in Ireland. W: www.glue.ie
■ The Married Men's Support Group meet once a month.
Contact Gay Switchboard Dublin on (01) 872 1055 for details.
■ Labour LGBT E: lgbt@labour.ie. W:www.labour.ie
■ Dining Out for gay men T: 087 286 3349
E: info@DiningOutIreland.org or www.DiningOutIreland.org
■ Transgender Equality Network T: M2F 087 211 5576 and F2M
086 234 7073 E: canygwynt@eircom.net and hts@iol.ie
■ LUBE (Leather Uniform Bear Encounter) gay men's group-
Write: c/o OUThouse, 105 Capel Street, Dublin 1. E:
lubeinfo@eircom.net W: www.lube.ie
■ Queer Men’s Night Out. Dinner, movie and a pint. Follow the
link on www.nua.cc
■ A new group for Kildare. e: Kildarelgbt@gmail.com for details
■ Irish Queers are LGBT activists organising on issues in Ireland
and Irish America. Also put on social events & amusements.
212.289.1101 irishqueers@hotmail.com and www.irishqueers.org
HEALTH HELP
■ Gay Men’s Health Project (GMHP), 19 Haddington Road D4. Free
sexual health service T: (01) 660 2189 E: gmhp1@eircom.net
■ Johnny (Men’s Gay and Bisexual peer group) meet Outhouse
first Tuesday of every month. T: (01) 873 4999 for details
■ Gay Health Network (GHN) T: (01) 873 4952 E:
gayhealthnetwork@eircom.net W: www.gayhealthnetwork.ie
■ St. James’ GUIDE Clinic T:(01) 416 2315 or (01) 416 2316
■ Transgender Equality Network advice, help and support for
anyone at any stage of gender motivated transition.
T: M2F 087 211 5576 and F2M 086 234 7073
E: canygwynt@eircom.net and hts@iol.ie
■ Drugs/HIV Helpline 1800 459 459 10am-5pm everyday
■ Chrysalis Community Drug Project & NA Outreach Services
Women's Health Promotion Service. 27 Benburb St, Dublin 7
Wednesday: 7/9PM. Health Promotion, Holistics, Information
Outreach Ph: 01 670 5544 and Mobile 086 120 7421.
HELPLINES
■ Dublin Lesbian Line (01) 872 9911 7pm-9pm Every Thursday -
W: www.dublinlesbianline.ie - Volunteers Required
■ Gay Switchboard (GSD) (01) 872 1055
Mon – Friday 7.30-9.30pm, Saturdays 3.30-6pm
■ BeLonG To Youth Project, supporting and resourcing lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender young people aged 14 - 23
T:01 873 4184; E: belongto@eircom.net; W: www.belongto.org
■ First Out is a confidential discussion group for women
exploring their sexuality. Meets the first Thursday of every
month in Outhouse at 7.30pm. For more info ring outhouse at
01 873 4999
■ Greenbow LGB deaf group E: deafgreenbowlgbt@yahoo.ie
www.greenbowdeaf.com
■ Julian Fellowship safe, supportive space for LGB’s exploring
spiritual/sexual/personal issues PO Box 5155 Churchtown D14
E: julianfellowship@hotmail.com
■ Dundalk Outcomers, Louth LGB Helpline
(042) 935 2915, 8-10pm Thursdays. www.outcomers.ie
■ OutLouth 086 324 1579 E:info@outlouth.com www.outlouth.com
STUDENT LGBT SOCIETIES
■ National Union of Students in Ireland, Lesbian Gay & Bisexual
Rights Campaign - Contact Charlie Atkinson, the
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Officer
E: lgbt@usi.ie, T: 01 435 3400, M: 085 148011 www.usilgb.org
■ Trinity College Dublin: lgbisoc@csc.tcd.ie: www.TrinityLGB.org
■ University College Dublin : ucdqueersoc@campus.ie
■ Dublin City University : dculgbsoc@yahoo.com
■ Dun Laoghaire IADT : lgbt@iadtsu.ie
■ Griffith College Dublin
■ Dublin Institute of Technology: www.ditlgbt.org
■ National College of Art and Design
■ Royal College of Surgeons : lgbsoc@rcsi.ie
■ Blanchardstown IT: itblgbt@gmail.com
■ NUI Maynooth: maynoothglb@hotmail.com
■ Tallaght IT: supres@it-tallaght.ie
■ NCI: flawless_ncirl@yahoo.co.uk
BED & BREAKFASTS
■ Nua Haven Gay Guesthouse/Bed & Breakfast. Harold’s Cross 10
mins City Centre. T: 087 686 7062, www.nua.cc or haven@nua.cc
GARDA LIAISON OFFICERS
■ Community Relations Section - Inspector Finbarr Murphy
01- 666 3831
■ Pearse Street - Sergeant Mark Kavanagh 01 666 9000
Pearse Street - Detective Brendan Supple 01 666 9000
Pearse Street - Sergeant Peter Duff 01 666 9000
Pearse Street - Garda Paul Daly 01 666 9000
■ Cabra - Detective Andy Tuite 01 666 7400
■ Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Investigation Unit -
Detective Sgt. Gerry Deegan 01 666 0000
■ Bridewell (Dublin) - Detective Frank Tracey 01 666 8200
Bridewell (Dublin) - Garda Ita Bradley 01 666 8200
■ Fitzgibbon Street - Sergeant Joe Flaherty 01 666 8400
Fitzgibbon Street - Garda Eoin Lynch 01 666 8400
■ Mountjoy - Garda Maria Murphy 01 666 8600
■ Store Street - Garda Lisa Nolan 01 666 8000
Store Street - Garda Declan Freaney 01 666 8000
■ Kevin Street - Inspector Philip King
■ Cabinteely/Dun Laoghaire - Sergeant Derval Supple
01 666 5400
■ Dundalk - Sergeant Vincent Jackson 042 933 5577
■ Kilkenny - Inspector Padraig Dunne 051 305 300
BELFAST AND THE NORTH
TUESDAYS
■ Border Area Group (BAG) Based in Monaghan also includes
Cavan, Fermanagh and Tyrone areas. Tel 042 974 4110
Tuesdays 10.30-11.30pm
WEDNESDAYS
■ Collective meeting at Cara Friend Centre 8pm
FRIDAYS
■ Men of the North An alternative gay venue for men over 25
Meets on the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month at The
The Nest, Belfast. E:info@menofthenorth.com
W: www.menofthenorth.com
SATURDAYS
■ Inspace Coffee Lounge at Queerspace Cara Friend Centre 3-
6pm Everyone welcome
■ Narcotics Anonymous Women’s Meetings 6.30pm - 8.00pm
at La Verna Grattan Street (next door to Project School)
SUNDAYS
■ Out & About (NI), LGBT walking group now in its third year.
Last Sunday of each month.; Check out our
W:http://outnabout-ni.org.uk E: neil@outnabout-ni.org.uk

for details. Cathedral Buildings, 3-6pm
COMMUNITY CENTRES
■ Rainbow Project Belfast. 2-6 Union Street BT1 2JS. (028) 903
19030. www.rainbow-project.org
■ Rainbow Project Derry 37 Clarendon St. BT48 7ER
(028) 7128 3030
■ QueerSpace @ Cara Friend Centre Offices
in Cathedral Buildings, Lower Donegall Street Belfast
T: (028) 905 90257 and www.queerspace.org.uk
OTHER GROUPS
■ NIGRA (Northern Ireland Gay Rights Association)
PO BOX 44, Belfast BT1 1SH T: (028) (048 from ROI) 906 64111
E: nigra4@hotmail.com
■ Gay Policing Northern Ireland, E: gpni@yahoogroups.com
■ Gay Newry, check www.gaynewry.com
■ Gay Men’s Spiritual Group meeting Clonard Monastery, Clonard
Street, Belfast. E: jimger2000@yahoo.co.uk for details
■ Lesbian Friends Northern Ireland, a Social Support Group for
lesbian, Bi and TS women.
LesbianFriendsNorthernIreland@groups.msn.com
http://lesbianfriendsni.mysite.freeserve.com.
HEALTH HELP
■ GUM Clinic @ Altnagelvin Hospital, Anderson House, Derry,
Mon, Wed & Fri 9.30am-11am Wed 1.30-3pm (028) 7161 1269
■ Women’s Health Clinic @ Altnagelvin Hospital, Anderson
House Derry, Thurs 9.30am-11am Wed (028) 7161 1269
■ Body Positive NI Room 308 Bryson Hse Bedford St, BT2 7FE
Tue–Fri 2-4pm T:(028) 9023 5515 E:bodypositive@wydeworld.com
■ AIDS Help North West/Letterkenny Helpline (074) 912 5500
HELPLINES
■ Lesbian Line (028) 902 386 68 Thursdays 7.30-10pm
■ Cara Friend Belfast (028) 903 220 23
Monday – Wednesday 7.30-10pm
■ Rainbow Project Belfast 2-8 Commercial Court, Belfast BT1
2NB T: (028) 903 19 030 providing sexual health info and
counselling for gay men
■ Rainbow Project Derry 37 Clarendon Street T: (028) 712 83030
■ AIDS Help North West/Letterkenny Helpline (074) 912 5500
■ The HIV Support Centre Mon-Fri 9-5pm T:0800 137 437 or
(028) 902 49 268 E: info@thehivsupportcentre.org.uk
STUDENT LGBT SOCIETIES
■ Queen’s University Belfast : qub_lgb@hotmail.com
■ University of Ulster
■ Letterkenny Institute of Technology: lgbt-lyit@hotmail.com.
PSNI MINORITY LIAISON OFFICERS
Third party reporting of incidents can be made to:
The Rainbow Project, 2-6 Union Street, Belfast (028) 903 19 030
or www.rainbow-project.org and The Rainbow Project, 37
Clarendon Street, Derry (028) 712 83030
■ Antrim 028 94 481646
■ Ards 028 91 829041
■ Armagh 028 37 521153
■ Ballymena 028 90 650222 ext 86117
■ Ballymoney/Moyle 028 70 350958
■ Banbridge 028 40 621368
■ Carrickfergus 028 90 259622
■ Castlereagh 028 90 901314
■ Coleraine 028 70 280906
■ Cookstown 028 79 399406
■ Craigavon 028 38 315269
■ Down 028 44 611109
■ Dungannon & Sth Tyrone 028 97 750503
■ East Belfast 028 90 259824
■ Fermanagh 028 66 321557
■ Foyle 028 71 739751
■ Larne 028 28 271055
■ Limavady 028 90 650222 ext 85070
■ Lisburn 028 92 600978
■ Magherafelt 028 90 650222 ext 84022
■ Newry & Mourne 028 30 259267
■ Newtownabbey 028 90 259319
■ Nth Belfast 028 90 259460
■ Nth Down 028 91 474957
■ Omagh 028 82 256686
■ Sth Belfast 028 90 700509
■ Strabane 028 71 379803
■ Wst Belfast 028 90 259892
CORK, KERRY & THE SOUTH
MONDAYS
■ Phase 2 a social group for women with a reasoned outlook
on life, a fun loving attitude and maybe a few grey hairs!!
Meet at L.Inc 1st and 3rd Monday of each month 7.30 -
9.30p.m. Tel: (021) 480 8600, email info@linc.ie
■ Parent support for parents of LGB children meet at L.Inc 2nd
Monday of each month 7.30 - 9.30p.m. Tel: (021) 480 8600,
email: info@linc.ie
TUESDAYS
■ L.Inc Drop-in-women only space- 12 - 3 p.m. Tel: (021) 480 8600,
email: info@linc.ie
■ Rainbow Chicks a group for young lesbian and bisexual
women aged 17-23 meet at L.Inc every Tuesday 7.30 - 9p.m.
T: (021) 480 8600, email info@linc.ie
THURSDAYS
■ L.inc Drop-in - women only space - 8 - 10 p.m. Tel: (021) 480
8600, email: info@linc.ie
■ Lesbian line 8 - 10 p.m. Tel: (021) 431 8318
FRIDAYS
■ Live & Let Live gay friendly AA meeting @ Other Place café,
8.30pm - 10.00pm
■ Cork lesbian parents group for support, information and a
good chat, meet at L.Inc on the 1st Friday of each month 8 -
10p.m. Tel: (021) 480 8600, email: info@linc.ie
SATURDAYS
■ UNITE - youth group 2:00pm @ The Other Place
SUNDAYS
■ Rainbow Ramblers walking/rambling group for gay & bisexual
men. 1st & 3rd Sunday of each month. T: Mark or Dave on 021
427 8470/1
COMMUNITY CENTRES
■ L.Inc resource centre for LBT women, 11A White St., Cork. Tel:
(021) 480 8600, email: info@linc.ie
Mon & Wed 10.00am to 2.00pm. Tues & Thurs 10.00am to 4.00
Fri 10.00 am to 1.30 pm
■ The Other Place, 8 South Main Street, Cork T: (021) 4278 470
■ Prism drop-in centre, Apartment 4 Keizer House, High St.
Waterford (opposite City Square car park) T: 086-3257335.
Wednesday 8-10pm Saturday 1-4pm
OTHER GROUPS
■ The Circle. New dining club for single Munster lesbians over
35. Monthly in Cork city. Relaxed friendly atmosphere.
Booking essential. Tel 087 6912374 for details
■ Refrain, Cork's new gay Choir, practice every wed, 6:30pm @
the Other Place Resource Centre. All are welcome!
■ UNITE Youth Group. A safe, fun, social space for Gay, Lesbian
and Bisexual 17 - 23 year olds with a varying programme of
discussions, workshops and social events @ The Other Place
HEALTH HELP
■ Southern Gay Men’s Health Project (SGMHP) providing
sexual health information, support and drop-in services.
T: (021) 427 8470/1 - www.gayhealthproject.com and
www.queer.ie
■ STD Clinic @ Waterford Regional Hospital Mon 2-4pm & Tues
10am-12pm T: (051) 854149
■ STD Clinic @ Victoria Hospital Drop-in Mon, Tues,
Thurs 9.30-11.45am and Wed 2.30-4.30pm T: (021) 496 6844
HELPLINES
■ Lesbian Line (021) 431 8318 8-10pm Thursdays
■ NA Helpline (021) 427 8411 8pm-10pm Mon - Fri
■ AA Helpline (021) 450 0481 8pm-10pm every night
■ AIDS Helpline (021) 427 6676 10am-5pm Mon-Fri & 7-9pm Tues
■ HIV/AIDS Family Support including
home visits and care T: (021) 455 1331
■ Southern Gay Health Project T: (021) 427 1087 Mon - Fri 10am
to 6pm, Tues & Weds 7pm-9pm
STUDENT LGBT SOCIETIES
■ University College Cork meet weekly E: ucclgb@hotmail.com
■ Waterford IT - GLAM E: witlgbt@gmail.com
Confidential text line for enquires 086 3955784
■ Tralee IT : gntsoc@hotmail.com
■ Mary Immaculate, Limerick
■ "Out in UL" - The University of Limerick LGB Society. Meet
Monday in An Phúlais (scholars function room) 6pm to 7pm.
W: heaven.skynet.ie E: outinul@yahoo.ie
GARDA LIAISON OFFICERS
■ Cork City - Garda Eleanor O’Kelly 021 427 0681
■ Waterford - Sergeant Coleman Hogan 051 305 300
■ Waterford - Garda Sinead Coleman 051 305 300
BED & BREAKFASTS
■ Æmerson House, 2 Clarence Terrace Summer Hill North, Cork
T: 086 834 0891
■ A Roman House B+B, 3 St John's Terrace, Upper John St
Cork. T: 021 450 3606 www.interglobal.ie/romanhouse
E: rhbb@eircom.net
■ Nadrid House, Coachford Co. Cork. T: (021) 743 4946
E:info@nadridhouse.com
■ Rolf’s Holiday Hostel Baltimore Co. Cork, T: (028) 20 289,
www.rolfsholidays.com
■ Tavarra Lodge, Courtmacsherry Co. Cork, T: (023) 46493
■ Templenoe House, Fermoy, Co. Cork
Tel: 025 82978 or 086 889 5253
■ Anchorage Guest House, 9 The Quay, Waterford 051 854 302
(GAY FRIENDLY)
GALWAY, THE WEST & NORTH WEST
MONDAYS
■ WalkingOUT - Midwest sports and social group for LGB and
friends (straight and wobbly). Meets first & third Monday
every month depending on organised events. Time: 9.00-
10.30+. For further information tel: 061 310 101 Tues., Wed.,
Thurs., 7.30-9.30
TUESDAYS
■ OUTWEST Gay group for the West and North West, meets
monthly first Tuesday of every month and holds discos and
other events regularly. T: 087 972 5586
W: www.outwestireland.ie, E: info@outwestireland.ie post: PO
Box 58, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
■ I’m Out Here informal meet up every Tuesday in Sligo at
10pm. Somewhere to relax with some people who don’t worry
about "labels". Text 087 986 2400 for details or log onto
www.imouthere.org
■ Out In UL meets at 7:30 in the University of Limerick
■ LGB Drop-Ins – call (091) 564 611 Wed 8-10pm or (091) 566 134
Tues & Thurs 8-10pm
WEDNESDAYS
■ LGB Drop-Ins – call (091) 564611 Wed 8-10pm or (091) 566 134
Tues & Thurs 8-10pm
■ Gift, support group for gay and bisexual men, meets second
Wednesday of each month in Ennis, Co. Clare. T: (086)
884 0126 or E: giftennis@eircom.net for details.
THURSDAYS
■ LGB Drop-Ins – call (091) 564611 Wed 8-10pm or (091) 566 134
Tues & Thurs 8-10pm
SUNDAYS
■ Gay Clare Social Group meets last Sunday of each
month at a venue in Ennis. Email gayclare@yahoo.co.uk
T: 085-7212674 for details.
COMMUNITY CENTRES
■ Rainbow Support Services @ Rainbow House, 29 Mallow St.,
Limerick. Supporting the Mid West community, their family
and friends. Drop-In Monday 7pm-9pm, various social and
support groups throughout the week. T: (061) 310 101
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 7.30pm-9.30pm,
or E: rainbowlmk@eircom.net for details
http://homepage.eircom.net/~gayswitchboardl/
■ Rainbow Centre @ 29 Mallow Street Limerick T: (061) 468 611
E: rainbowlmk@eircom.net
OTHER GROUPS
■ Midwest dinning group meeting in Tipperary. Contact Joe on
086 898 9626 for more details
HEALTH HELP
■ AIDS West T: (091) 562 213 E: info@aidswest.ie,
www.aidswest.ie
■ Red Ribbon Project (061) 310 101
HELPLINES
■ OutWest Gay Helpline: T: 094 937 2479 OUT (For
information or a chat in confidence) Wednesday nights 8 - 10pm
■ Gay Galway (091) 566 134 Tuesday & Thursdays 8-10pm
■ Lesbian Line (091) 564 611 Wed 8-10pm
■ Women Out West call Lesbian Line for details
■ Clare Area Lesbian Line (065) 686 6802 Tuesdays 7-9pm
or E: callnow@eircom.net
■ AIDS West T: (091) 562 213 E: aidswest@iol.ie, www.aidswest.ie
■ Galway Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for the LGB community
in Galway and the Midlands area every Sat 8.30pm. Call Paddy
on 087 912 2685 or Martin on 087 679 8495 for details
■ Rainbow Support Services Limerick. Supporting Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, Transvestite, Transgendered people; their families and
friends. Confidential Helpline: (061) 310 101 Business Telephone:
(061) 468 611. e-mail: rainbowlmk@eircom.net
■ Limerick Lesbian Line Tel: (061) 310 101 Wednesday 7.30-9.30pm
■ Gay Switchboard Limerick. For details: Tel: (061) 310 101
Tuesday and Thursday 7.30pm-9.30pm.
http://homepage.eircom.net/~gayswitchboardl/
■ Red Ribbon Project Helpline (061) 310 101
Mon–Fri 9.30am-5.30pm, Thursday til 7pm E: rrp@indigo.ie,
www.redribbonproject.com
■ Gay Sligo E: sligout@hotmail.com
■ NW Lesbian Line (071) 914 7905 Tuesdays 8-10pm
STUDENT LGBT SOCIETIES
■ NUI Galway GiGsoc (Gay in Galway) www.gigsoc.nuigalway.ie
■ Out in UL. University of Limerick’s LBG society.
■ Galway-Mayo IT
■ Sligo IT. The Rainbow Society email: rainbowsoc@gay.com
BED & BREAKFASTS
■ Malaya Guest House, Galway. +353 (091) 799 051 or
+353 (086) 824 0668. www.malayahouseireland.com
■ Park View Gay B&B - Limerick City.
Contact Barry or Mark on 061 454665/086 3488080,
or e-mail to kellybar@hotmail.com
GARDA LIAISON OFFICERS
■ Limerick - Garda John O’Reilly 061 212 400
■ Galway - Sergeant Gerry Mangan 091 768 001
THE MIDLANDS
GROUPS
■ AA for the LGB community in the Midlands area
call 087 912 2685 or 087 679 8495 for details
■ Gay Lesbian Action Midlands T: 086 809 0851 W: www.glam.ie
■ Athlone Institute of Technology LGB society
■ Éist youth group T: 086 303 5597 E: gbai@eircom.net
BED & BREAKFASTS
■ Gay friendly holiday homes in Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim
W: www.carrickholidayhomes.com
GARDA LIAISON OFFICERS
■ Athlone - Garda Pat Keegan 0906 649 2609
■ Athlone - Garda Mary O Connor 0906 649 2609
www.gcn.ie April 2006 GCN 27

SCENE AROUND
Your complete guide to the queer nation for March & April
Listings are free and will be accepted up to April 7 at
rachel@gcn.ie or GCN, Unit 2, Scarlet Row, West Essex Street,
D8. We cannot accept listings over the phone.
SCENE LISTINGS
DUBLIN & THE EAST
PLACES TO GO
■ The George, South Great George’s Street, D2
■ The Front Lounge, Parliament St, D2
■ Yello, Capel St, D1
■ GUBU, Capel Street, D1
■ Company, Ormond Quay, D7
■ The Dragon Bar, South Great George's Street, Dublin 2
■ Centre Stage Café, 6 Parliament Street, Dublin 2
www.centrestagecafe.ie
MONDAYS
■ SLAM @ Wax Sth William Street, D2 with DJ Karen and
Rocky T Delgado mixed cruisin’ crowd of gorgeous gays
and delectable dykes €7, €4 with student ID 11pm til late
■ UK Drag Queens @ Yello
■ VIQ @ Mischief 52 Sth William St. Dublin. Classic Hits,
Chart Pop and Funky mixes. Free Entry All Pints €4
and VIQ Cocktail €4
■ Ivanna's Quiz Night at Company, the first Monday of
every month. Great prizes and great craic!
TUESDAYS
■ Glitz @ Break For The Border, Lower Stephen's Street.
Hosted by Annie Balls, DavinaDevine and Miss
Demeanor with DJ Fluffy and regular special events,
entertainment and big music acts live of stage. 11pmlate.
Admission €8/€9 After Midnight (slightly higher
when big name acts appear)
■ Casting Couch Panti hosts the ever-popular karaoke
in The Front Lounge, 10pm. Free Adm
■ Movie Magic @ Yello from 8
WEDNESDAYS
■ BUBBLEPOP. electric last Wed of every month. A club for
girls and their boy mates. The Hub, Eustace Street, 10pm.
Adm €7. E: bubblepopelectricmail@gmail.com
■ Space’N’Veda @ The George, alternative night with
DJs Dandelion, Rocky T Delgano & Veda
■ G’Spot @ GUBU, a fun night of comedy and cabaret
featuring Busty Lycra from 9.30pm free admission
THURSDAYS
■ Ipod Icon @ Yello. Attach your own Ipod and play your
own tunes.
■ DJ MO @ Dragon. Late till 2.30am
■ Stars Come Out @ GUBU. A Night of audio-visual pleasures
with a cast of thousands. From 9pm free Adm
■ Spectrum @ Spirit Store, Georges Quay, Dundalk. DJ
SarahJ plays an eclectic mix of great choons to celebrate
the start of the weekend. Doors 8pm. Come early to
avoid disappointment. Adm €6. Second Thursday of
every month (Apr 13).
FRIDAYS
■ Kiss, Temple Bar Music Centre. Women’s night with men
welcome as guests. 10.30pm til later than late. Admission
Eur10. Check fliers for concessions.
■ HAM @ POD. Hot, dirty dance for the discerning homo.
Adm €10, free before 1130pm
■ DJ Gerry Barrett @ The Front Lounge playing an eclectic
mix of pop/indie, and dance classics til 2am. Free adm
SATURDAYS
■ Men’s Night @ Company from 8pm. R.U.L.E from 10pm to 3
28 GCN April 2006 www.gcn.ie
House DJ with regular guests
■ Affinity4Girls @ the Irish Film Institute (IFI) 10:30pm-
2:30am. Cool venue, great sounds, chilled atmosphere.
Men welcome as guests. 1st Saturday of Every Month.
Fully accessible venue, outdoor smoking area.
■ The Furry Glen @ Life Bar, Abbey Street. For bears and
bearing loving men. First Saturday of every month.
■ DJ KAREN @ Dragon till 2.30AM
■ DJ Stuart Jackson @ The George, free before 10, €8 after,
until 3am
■ DJ Lounge @ GUBU. With DJs Alf, Eoin Long and Gerry
Moore from 9pm until 2am.
■ LUBE - Leather Uniform Bear Encounter @ the Henry
Grattan Lwr Baggot Street, the last Saturday of every
month in. Men Only
SUNDAYS
■ Shirley’s Bingo @ The George, 8pm followed by party
chart dance from DJ Fluffy, free before 10pm, €8 after
from 5pm with Alter Ego & guest. Free Admission
■ ZRAZY at The George, every Sunday. Free Admission
www.zrazy.com
■ SAVAGE @ The Hub, Doors 23:00h. unless otherwise
advertised. Free before midnight. Deep
house/electro/funk/dirty disco with rotating DJs Jay
O’Callaghan, Martin McCann, Tonie Walsh, Tayor & John
Mahon, and Hungry Whelan. Visuals by KXB.
■ Karaoke at Comapny from 4pm. Breakfast, Lunch and Bar
Food available 11.30am to 4pm
■ Hilton Edwards @ Spy, South William Street. Resident DJs
Martin McCann and Mark Dixon
BELFAST & THE NORTH
PLACES TO GO
■ Pepe’s Bar and Zebar Nightclub, 64 Strand Road, Derry
■ The Nest Bar, 22-28 Skipper St, Belfast
■ The Kremlin, 96 Upper Donegall Street, BT1, Belfast
■ Union Street, 8-14 Union Street, Belfast
■ Mynt 2-16 Dunbar Link Belfast BT1
MONDAYS
■ Disco @ Zebar. Why stop dancing after the weekend?
Drink Promo’s all night. Til 2.00am
■ PRE MILK CLUB @ The Nest bar. Weekly Drinks Promos and
Big Screen Jukebox
■ Forbidden Fruit @ Milk with DJ Kenny Kane. 9pm
TUESDAYS
■ Disco @ Zebar. Why stop dancing after the weekend?
Drink Promos all night. Til 2.00am
■ JUKEBOX @ The Nest Bar
■ Lovematch @ The Kremlin with Twanda. With Regal MC
til 2.30am
■ Mynt’s Super Quiz hosted by Grannie D.
■ Steve’s Quiz Night @ Union Street. Spot prizes and drink
promotions
WEDNESDAYS
■ DJ Alex Graham @ The Nest Bar
■ Karaoke @ Pepe’s. Sing your heart out and enjoy the
drinks promos.
■ Slosh @ Union Street - Belfast's longest running gay onenighter
hosted by Regal MC. Buy 1 get 1 free between
10pm & 12am. Open til 2.30am
THURSDAYS
■ DJ Gerry D @ Pepe’s. Cabaret most nights. Free admission
before 10. Music to 2am
■ Metrosexuality @ The Kremlin from 9pm free adm
■ Fusebox @ Union Street with resident hostesses Panti &
Veda Open til 2.30am. Buy 1 get 1 free between 8 & 10pm
■ JUKEBOX @ The Nest Bar
■ Mynt’s Dance Comp. “So you think you can dance!” Heats
every Thursday from 9pm. Also in Mynt 11pm-3am, The
Voodoo Room with Ladies free b4 11. £3 b4 12, £4 after
FRIDAYS
■ DJs @ Pepe’s. Guest and Resident DJs with Drinks Promos to
11pm. Free admission before 9.30pm. Music til 3am
■ HRH Titty von Tramp’s Wankety Wank game show at Mynt.
From 9pm. Also in Mynt 11pm-3am “Release” a hedonistic
night sparkling with funky/uplifting soulful house Free b4
11, £5 after. Students half price
■ Poptastic @ The Kremlin with ShagTag. 9pm free adm
■ DJ Brian Willis @ The Nest Bar Downstairs.
■ Men of the North @ The Nest Bar Upstairs. With DJ Stevey
Walker 1st and 3rd Friday of each month.
SATURDAYS
■ EVENT HORIZON @ The Kremlin. With DJ kristian nairn &
guests. 1.30am to 6.00am
■ The Club @ Kube. With DJ Jamesy until 3am
■ Squarehead Karaoke @ Union Street with Robert Brown
3pm-7pm
■ DJ Brian Willis & Stevey Walker @ The Nest Bar
Downstairs. DJ William Moore Upstairs
■ Karakoe With Trudy Scrumptous And Lee in Mynt from
5.30pm. Later that night “Temptation” with D.J. Jamesy.
All Drinks £2 between 8 and 11. Free B4 10. 10pm-12pm £6
After 12. Students Half Price With Nus Card.
SUNDAYS
■ Titti’s Ballbusting Bingo @ Union Street Bar from 9pm
Music from Regal MC, Revvlon & Alex Graham til 3am Two
Cosmopolitans for £5
■ DJ William Moore @ The Nest Bar
■ Brunch in Mynt 1pm-4pm. Happy hour all drinks £2 6-8pm.
Bingolicious from 8pm till late all drinks £2
CORK, KERRY & THE SOUTH
PLACES TO GO
■ Instinct Bar, Market Lane, Patrick Street Cork
■ Loafers, Douglas Street, Cork. loafers.cork@gmail.com
■ The Other Place, Augustine Street, Cork. Weekend Bar
■ Hush Waterford’s NEW gay bar, Morgan Street (between
Ballybricken and the Supervalu hypermarket).
MONDAYS
■ Time out @ Instinct Bar. No DJ, no promotions just good
conversation and company
■ Loafers opens at 5pm and offers free pool till close in a
safe and relaxing environment.
TUESDAYS
■ Fruits in Suits @ Instinct Bar. First Tue of the month,
6pm, For single professional guys and girls for after
work drinks
■ Loafers opens at 5, chill out, play pool and listen to the
jukebox or enjoy the spacious beer garden.
WEDNESDAYS
■ Mid week Momma @ Instinct Bar. With Ms Fabula
DiBeaumarchais, audience participation required
■ Loafers opens at 5, DJ takes to the decks at 9.30. Pool is
also available
THURSDAYS
■ Gasp @ Instinct Bar. With Eddie K, playing seriously cool tunes
■ Loafers opens at 5pm. Thursday nights in Loafers is
traditionally women's night, but men are welcome. Enjoy
pool, the jukebox and the beer garden.
FRIDAYS
■ Bubble @ The Forum. First Friday of every month from
12am til very late. Everyone is welcome. Admission Eur10
with concessions available from Hush.
■ Club night @ The Other Place, 10.30 til late Adm Free
■ Nu-Retro @ Instinct Bar. With DJ Dermo, old favourites to
modern classics
■ Loafers opens at 5, get your weekend started with a
game of pool and listen and request tunes.
SATURDAYS
■ Loafers opens at 3pm, call in and watch a match, have a
few drinks and a game of pool and listen to tunes from
the 60's to the present day provided by our resident DJ's
from 9.30 on.
■ Instinct Bar open from 2pm. With chart and dance till late
■ Club night @ The Other Place Cork’s 10-year-old club night
10.30pm ’til late Adm €5
SUNDAYS
■ Loafers opens at 3, pop in, recover from your weekend,
watch a match, play pool, listen to the jukebox and enjoy
the beer garden and relax in the snug.
■ Instinct Bar open from 2pm. With chart and dance till late
GALWAY, THE WEST & THE NORTH WEST
PLACESTOGO
■ Strano. William St West, Galway. www.stranosbar.com
■ The Stage Door pub, Wood Quay Galway. (091) 563 418
THURSDAYS
■ Strano. Films & free sandwiches from 6 - 8pm
FRIDAYS
■ Strano. Karaoke from 10:00pm - late
SATURDAYS
■ Eden every Friday and Sunday in The Oasis, Salthill,
Galway. www.edenexperience.com
■ Strano, upstairs disco bar DJ from 10:30pm - late
SUNDAYS
■ Strano, free bus to Eden & complimentary finger food
LIMERICK, THE MIDWEST
& THE MIDLANDS
PLACES TO GO
■ The Rafters. The Globe 43 Cecil Street, Limerick Everyday
■ Athlone IT LGBT Society meet @ Gertie Brown’s, Athlone.
8.30pm every Wednesday
SATURDAYS
■ La Boutique Upstairs in Dolans. Twice monthly night of
gay dancing, delicious and packed with all your favourite
pop tunes. Doors 11.30 until well after bed time.
ONE NIGHT STANDS
APRIL 1
AffINITY 4 Girls, The IFI, Dublin. Doors Open 10.30p.m.
Entry €10. DJ and Bar til late.
APRIL 7
The Pink Party. Sligo’s latest and greatest women only
disco, Clarion Hotel, 9 till 2, adm €8/10, with hot music from
DJ Lucky Lips. E sligopinkparty@yahoo.co.uk
APRIL 21
Kiss, Temple Bar Music Centre. Women’s night with men
welcome as guests. 10.30pm til later than late. Admission
€10. Check fliers for concessions.
APRIL 25
GLITZ Popular U.K. boyband 911 appear live in Break For The
Border performing some of the biggest tracks including
their Number 1 smash "A little Bit More". 11pm to 2.30am.
APRIL 30
Cloud 9 Club night for women, at the Blue Angel Room,
Cork Opera House. Tickets from Loafers bar week of event
and the Half Moon the night. Tkts €10, 10.30pm till 2am.

Northern Ireland’s only
gay and bisexual men’s
health organisation
aiming to improve the
mental, emotional and
physical health of gay and bisexual men
through support, information, training,
research, advocacy and volunteering
opportunities.
2-8 Commercial Court
Belfast
BT1 2NB
Tel 028 90319030
Fax 028 90319031
37 Clarendon Street
L’Derry
BT48 7ER
Tel 028 71283030
Fax 028 71283060
e-mail: info@rainbow-project.org
www.rainbow-project.org
Supporting Lesbians, Gays
and Bisexuals throughout the
Mid West
Rainbow House
29 Mallow Street, Limerick
Tel: 061 468 611
E: rainbowlmk@eircom.net
10am - 5pm
7 days a week
Confidential Support
&
Information Service
Sexual
Health
Directory
AIDS Care Education & Training
❐Providing HIV/AIDS education &
training.
❐Providing practical community care and
emotional support to individuals &
families affected and infected by
HIV/AIDS.
ACET
PO Box 3400
Dublin 14
Tel: 01 8787700
Fax: 01 8788601
dublin@acet.ie
www.acet.ie
ACET
PO Box 118 Belfast
BT1 6HD
Tel: 028 9032 0844
Fax: 028 9032 9907
belfast@acet.ie
www.acet.ie
Poz Ireland is a non-profit,
charitable organisation providing
information on HIV and AIDS
PO Box 5187, Dublin 6
Email: gpi@poz.iol.ie
www.pozireland.org
AIDS HELP NORTH WEST
Mount Southwell
Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Phone: 074 9125500
Incorporating Letterkenny
helpline, Aids Help North West
provides support services and
advocacy for people affected
by HIV and their partners/
families. Also providing a
confidential helpline service
offering information on HIV
and sexual health matters.
Ozanam House
St Augustine Street
Galway
Ph: 091 566 266
E: info@aidswest.ie
www.aidswest.ie
Offering an information
helpline, education/
prevention services and
support to people
affected by HIV/AIDS
and those concerned
about their sexual
health in counties
Galway, Mayo and
Roscommon.
Services include: • Sex education programmes
• Peer education training • Peer support for
people with HIV • One to one support for people
with HIV • Pregnancy testing and counselling •
Telephone and online helpline
16 Peters Street, Cork, Ireland
P: 00 353 (0) 21 427 6676
E: info@sexualhealthcentre.com
W: www.sexualhealthcentre.com
HIV Support
Centre
Incorporating AIDS
Helpline NI, and
providing support
services and
advocacy for people affected by HIV,
including carers, families and partners.
Confidential freephone helpline service
offering advice and information on HIV and
sexual health matters.
The Centre at the Warehouse
7 James St. South, Belfast BT2 8DN
Helpline 0800 137 437 (NI)
www.aidshelpline.org.uk
Red Ribbon Project is a
voluntary non-profit
organization working in
the area of sexual health
promotion and HIV/STI
prevention in the midwestern
region of Ireland.
Redwood House,
9 Cecil Street, Limerick.
Confidential Helpline:
061 316 661
Office Phone: 061 314 354
Email: info@redribbonproject.com
www.redribbonproject.com
Challenging the isolation
of HIV through peer support
Full range of
complimentary therapies
available
Contact James or Paul at
Tel: (01) 830 5000
Fax: (01) 860 1285
Email: info@openhearthouse.ie
Committed to HIV care

Unique access to
Ireland’s €3 billion
gay market!
Contact: Catherine Barker,
Advertising Manager
Ph: (01) 671 9076, Fax: (01) 671 3549
or email: advertising@gcn.ie
GCN, Unit 2, Scarlet Row,
Essex Street West, Dublin 8
www.gcn.ie

GCN
SERVICES
OVERSEAS ACCOMMODATION/PROPERTY
GAY BARCELONA!
Give yourself a great holiday in an affordable, spacious,
luxury apartment in the centre of the Gay Area in Barcelona!
This beautiful apartment sleeps two to six people and the
main concentration of gay bars, shops, restaurants and
clubs is literally around the corner!
View and book on-line at
www.apartmentbarcelona.org
HEALTH AND WELL BEING
SERVICES
Interior Design
Colour Consultant
Interior Planning
Painting (interior and exterior)
Decorating
Call Trish on 087 220 0797
Central air-con 3-bed Apartment
for Rent in Sitges, Barcelona
Exclusive location 20 minutes
from Barcelona
Quality beach and restaurants
All year round availability
Information and booking:
www.visitsitges.com or email: info@visitsitges.com
DECORATING,
RESTORATION
SERVICES
COMPLETE DECORATING SERVICE
Interior & Exterior; Lining Paper Specialist
SASH WINDOWS
Restore, Repair, Stripping & Draught Proofing
PLASTER WORK CONSERVATION
Restored, Repaired, Replaced.
WOOD STRIPPING
CONTACT TONY ON 086 370 0813
Property in Berlin?
www.flat-in-berlin.biz
Henrich Rauschning Architect
Counselling
Qualified Professional Confidential
Private Practice At:
Outhouse 105 Capel Street
For Appointment Call
087 694 1631
IRISH ACCOMMODATION
RESTAURANT, CAFÉ ART & WINE BAR
Double Rooms from €40 – €70 per room
3-Star Cottages from €450 – €750 per week
Special Midweek Cottage Breaks from €300
Baltimore, West Cork, Ireland
Tel: 028 20289 E: rolfsholidays@eircom.net
www.rolfsholidays.ie
VISITING BUDAPEST?
Poppy-CENTRAL
Guest House
Accommodation in the centre of Budapest,
near the favourite gay bars and clubs.
1053 Budapest V.Kossuth,
Lajos utca 10- 12, Hungary
Reservations: Tel/fax: 00 361 317 7394
E:guesthouse@gaybudapest.hu
www.gaybudapest.hu/guesthouse
www.dentaltravelbudapest.hu
DK MASSAGE
DERRY KERNAN, DIP ITEC
Holistic Massage Therapist
Phone: 087 620 2394
email: derrykernan@hotmail.com
'Ease away the stresses and
strains of everyday life with
a Swedish Holistic Massage'
Dublin Area
In the comfort of your own home
Vouchers Available
Strictly professional service,
no time wasters please!
ADVERTISE WITH GCN
To advertise your service on this page
at competitive rates contact Catherine
Barker or Conor Wilson on (01) 671 9076
or email: advertising@gcn.ie
or conor@gcn.ie

LADS
UPCLOSE
ANDPERSONAL
Patrick from Dublin would like to meet an African
or Asian guy 30-40 years of age for fun and
friendship. Can accommodate, 39 yrs old. Box No.
APR001
Male 40s, slim, attractive, WLTM another slim male for
friendship and maybe holiday abroad. Likes swimming,
massage and naturism. Box No. APR002
Attractive NS mature naturist WLTM younger fit guy. Can
A/C. West Cork hideaway, idyllic but too quiet! Discretion
assured. Early pic swap essential. Box No. APR003
33yr old Dubliner seeks single healthy non-drinking, nonsmoking,
non-scene genuine gay lads 17-60 for company,
friendship, travel and safe sex. Box No. APR004
Slim Midlands guy 45, WLTM similar slim guy into bikes,
leather, denim etc. Text 087 953 9202. Age unimportant.
Wrestling fit guy, lean, muscular, athletic, looking for
others into wrestling whatever level. Not too much
experience here, but we could practice! Email:
davewrst@yahoo.com
Unique access to
Ireland’s €3
billion gay
market!
Contact: Catherine Barker or
Conor Wilson on Ph: (01) 671 9076,
Fax: (01) 671 3549 or
email: advertising@gcn.ie
or conor@gcn.ie
GCN, Unit 2, Scarlet Row,
Essex Street West, Dublin 8
www.gcn.ie
32 GCN April 2006 www.gcn.ie
LASSIES
Fun, attractive, movie-loving, easy-going femme, 38, nonscene,
non-smoking, seeks fabulous femme 35-48 for
possible relationship. Box No. APR005
HELP! All my friends are straight! Femme gay girl, 25,
WLTM other easygoing girls. Interests include: film,
nature, pubs and dining out. South East/Dublin. Box No.
APR006
Woman 48, seeks woman for love fun and happiness.
Leinster or Donegal area. pollyintheclosetnot@yahoo.ie
HOME FOR HOMOS
Ballina. Premium accommodation, ensuite rooms,
power showers, parking. 10 min walk to town centre.
Looking for considerate, house-trained individuals,
non-smokers (preferred) Call: 087 226 4915.
Belfast - Antrim Road area. Room to let in large house
sharing with one other guy. Use of study/computer
included. Call: 07876 654 892
Dublin 7, female wanted. Double room to let in 3-bed
HOW DO I ANSWER A
CLASSIFIED AD WITH
A BOX NUMBER?
Put your reply in a sealed envelope with
the box number written in pencil on
the top right hand corner, place in
another envelope with a loose 48c
stamp and send it to GCN.
GCN Classifieds
Unit 2, Scarlet Row
Essex Street West
Dublin 8
house. Spacious, newly decorated. All mod cons
including alarm. Sharing with two lesbians. €400 per
month. 087 621 2542 evenings.
Two double rooms to let in new house in Waterford City,
sharing with other male. Parking and mod cons. Call: 087
759 1645.
Dublin 8, off SCR beside Luas. Two double rooms to let
sharing house with two other males. €110 pw per room,
inc bills. Call: 473 0581.
D8. Double room to let in three bed house. Newly
decorated. All mod cons, on Luas/bus routes. €360 p/m +
bills. 087 212 9581 after six.
GALWAY: Choice of two furnished rooms in large clean
comfortable house - all facilities inc parking - Highfield
Park - Hosp/Uni/CC/Bars/Clubs/Sea 5 mins. Dble €80,
Sngl €60. Call: 087 937 3723 or 087 263 7788.
ARE YOU BEING SERVED?
Male masseur, Co. Clare via Ennis. Rural location, private
parking, shower facilities, therapeutic massage. Phone:
087 281 3558.
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TWINKLETWINKLE
With Miz Saturn, the only Marxist-feminist astrologer on this side of the Volga
ARIES (MARCH 20 - APRIL 19)
April will turn out to be an incredibly intense month for you. That pesky Jupiter-Neptune square
that has been with us since January still dominates the sky, giving us a last dose before they
separate in May. Your impulses are strong, hard to control, and easily dissipated. You’re
probably drinking too much, eating too much, and spending too much money. Then
we also have a Mars Pluto opposition for the first half of April, bringing
you some struggle that could erupt into full-fledged argument. Try to
steer clear. You have a week of excitement in the relationship
department starting the 17th.
TAURUS (April 20 - May 21)
The Mars-Pluto opposition in the first half of April will help you
put the huge levels of inspiration you are finding into some kind
of structure. Beware of arguments mid-month. Keep your eye
open for pointless power struggles. Just before the Sun enters
your own sign, you’ll have an opportunity for some welcome
flirtation, which is quickly followed by a quick Sun-Saturn pass
making you want to move in way too soon. Cool your heels.
GEMINI (May 22 - June 21)
Even if you wanted to lay low this month, you couldn’t. The only
laying low you’ll be doing is in bed, hopefully with a new love
interest by about April 17th. You’re intense and compelling this
month - Mars is in Gemini and opposes Pluto. In fact you are
more forceful than you realise, and you could find yourself in the
midst of some mega-power struggles, especially mid-month,
when Mercury gets all up in it.
CANCER (June 21 - July 22)
The Jupiter-Neptune square continues to challenge your
boundaries this month, making you very vulnerable on the
emotional front. Your wallet is pretty vulnerable as well, so keep
track of your finances. The Mars-Pluto opposition this month will
be hard for you – putting lots of confrontational energy in the air.
You’ll feel better once the Sun enters Taurus and immediately
squares Saturn on the 23rd for a few days, calming things down.
LEO (July 22 - August 22)
Jupiter and Neptune make you want to find your place in the
world and bring your values into alignment with your life this
month. Do you want that nest egg or house in the country, or
simply to stop renting? It is a good time for considering those
issues, especially now that Mercury is not retrograde. The Sun -
Saturn square around the 23rd will help you solidify some plans
and commitments.
VIRGO (August 22 - September 21)
April is nothing for you, if not full on. First, Mars in Gemini
opposes Pluto for the first half of April, and mid-month, squares
Mercury in Pisces. Ouch! Please do not pick any fights, and be
careful of that famously sharp tongue. Let yourself enjoy the
Venus Uranus conjunction in Pisces, which occurs around the
17th. It is great for creative inspiration and for romantic
surprises.
LIBRA (September 22 - October 21)
The search for deep meaning continues for you this month,
thanks to the Jupiter-Neptune square. You may find yourself
having struggles around the full moon in Libra on the 13th. It’s
a big one for the world and for you personally. Avoid silly fights
and wait out the very scrappy energy that dominates the
planet until the Venus-Uranus conjunction around the 17th.
Now, that aspect is good for flirting and for unexpected turns
in relationships.
SCORPIO (October 22 - November 21)
Jupiter and Neptune continue to inspire you to find depth and
meaning in just about everything, while emptying your bank
account at an alarming rate. This is the month to make some
decisions about your financial health. Watch out for power
struggles and ideological conflict during the first half of the
month, and enjoy some flirtation the second half.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 21)
You will be a powerhouse this month, full of plans and strategies,
and you just won’t shut up about them. Take it easy, will you?
There will be power struggles galore, but Jupiter and Neptune
will conspire to make you realise that relationships are more
important than your rigid beliefs. After the 17th you are likely to
have a huge crush on someone with beliefs you would normally
be horrified by.
CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19)
The Jupiter-Neptune influence continues this month, and you will
find yourself still looking for ways to insert spiritual meaning into
your life. Some money wouldn’t be too bad either. Don’t work so
hard, however, that you forget to enjoy the Venus-Uranus
conjunction when it occurs around the 17th, bringing us a few
days of romantic surprises and flirtation. Saturn and the Sun
come along after the 23rd and remind you of what your
commitments really are.
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 19)
Jupiter and Neptune continue to make you kind of wistful and
needy for something. You’re not sure exactly what that is. And
because it is much easier for you to focus on ideas, you do
exactly that this month, to the aggravation of many of your
friends and lovers. Just try to remember to let others speak. Get
ready for Venus and Uranus being in conjunction at the middle
of the month, a good opportunity to be surprised by what the
universe brings you.
PISCES (February 20 - March 19)
April brings you more opportunities to have pretty pointless
arguments with people. Keep your cool and stay focused on
getting work done. It is a great month for accomplishing things -
especially when there are great forces of opposition lined up
against you. Clean out your closets and see if you can hang
loose until Venus and Uranus are conjunct in your own sign
around the 17th, bringing more fun your way.
www.gcn.ie April 2006 GCN 33

35838 Male in the west of Ireland is
looking for outdoor workers.
43979 Submissive male is looking for older
dominant males, get back.
65640 Steve is in his early fifties and
would like to meet a younger guy for some
fun – nothing too heavy.
42847 John 26, slim is very open minded
and would like to meet some black guys.
58645 Mike 45, has dark hair blue eyes,
tash, would like to meet buddys in the
Longford/Westmeath area.
36100 Paul 43, is very open minded and
genuine would like to meet a top guy for
some useful fun and satisfaction.
61997 Submissive guy looking for
dominant guy into games.
58743 Peter would like to meet a gay guy
in Galway for some fun.
66647 Dublin northsider would like to hear
from older males for some daytime meets.
63779 A 29 year old gay male would like to
be dominated by a guy in uniform.
64872 A 30 year old gay guy in Galway
would like to meet someone of the same age.
64804 Joe 27, is living in Dublin and would
like a chat with older men.
31911 Mark 28, bi-guy from Cork, that would
like some fun.
35838 An older guy into farmers, out door
workers, and guys in uniform, get back to him.
64653 Kerry gay guy looking for friends.
62763 Limerick male is good looking and
slim and would like to meet up with a
genuine male, no one night stands.
64645 Submissive guy in his forties in the
Dublin area would like to meet dominant guy.
69772 Submissive leather guy would like
to meet a biker guy.
33634 A good looking guy 28 years of age
would like to meet tv’s for some fun.
64731 Male would like to meet men into
leather and mutual play.
63983 Michael 39, is into good fun and is
open minded.
66647 Paul from the north side of Dublin
would like to hear from mature men who
enjoy daytime fun.
61024 Gary 32, from Kildare is tall,
attached, straight acting, and would like to
meet a guy for daytime fun.
31911 Mark is a 29 year old guy from Cork
wants some fun.
63983 Mike from Clare, is 45 years of age,
broad minded, if there are any guys out
there leave a message and he will get back
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70422 A top guy would like to meet an
asian guy.
58743 Peter 45, is looking for a younger
guy for daytime discreet fun.
62742 A 32 year old male from Cavan,
would like to meet a dominant hairy top guy.
63908 Pete is a bi-sexual male from the
mid west, he would like to meet a guy for
some nice easy going fun.
37279 Any submissive guys in uniform
seeking a dominant master?
32537 Looking for a smooth discreet guy
from Dublin.
56022 John 49, is stocky and dominant
and looking for a submissive guy who can
accommodate.
62109 Joe mid west gay, can travel and
would like to be used as a slave.
61896 Paul is looking for some hot gay action.
61089 Dave 21, has short black hair and
medium build, he is looking for an older guy
in the Cork area.
32537 Seeking slim smooth guy.
61445 Male would like to have some fun.
60852 Brian would like to meet any gay
guys on line he will answer all calls.
34045 A 31 year old male from Dublin has
a medium build, is a straight acting bi guy,
he would like some discreet fun.
57413 Male is looking for a mature guy in
the Dublin area who enjoys daytime fun.
43979 Submissive guy is looking for older
dominant kinky guys, into bondage etc. get
back and leave details all calls answered.
43302 Thirty year old male in the Clare
area would like some fun.
61691 Chris 39, would like to meet guys
between 25 and 40 years of age for fun and
socialising.
69846 David gay male from Limerick is in
his thirties, medium build, clean shaven,
good looking, would like to meet a guy
between eighteen and twenty eight, leave a
message and he will get back to you.
58824 A tweny nine year old guy from
Cork, is five foot six with brown hair, slim
build, 30 inch waist, is looking for top guys
around the Cork area for some fun.
36948 Male is forty two years of age,
slim guy with fair hair in the Midlands
region would like to hook up with a guy
who can travel and is friendly, genuine and
sincere so if you fit that description leave
a message.
21556 Guys into denim leather boots leave
a message.
67347 Dublin guy 70 would like to meet a
dominant guy into bondage.
60042 Male on the Laois/Kildare border
lives alone and would like to meet guys
between the ages of 25 and 45, leave a
message if you can travel.
59929 John 23, midlands, is looking for a
guy over 30 under 70 all welcome.
43302 Young guy looking to receive a nice
massage.
58464 David 29, is a good looking guy and
would like to meet a mature farmer for
some discreet adult fun.
37279 Horny dominant guy seeks
submissive guy for fun friendship and
possible relationship.
27297 A 48 year old guy is looking for a
guy between the age of 18 and 26, he can
accommodate.
57912 Gay guy 28, is very straight acting
and attached he is up for anything.
64254 Trevor 36, from Dublin would like to
meet somebody for some horny discreet fun
he can accommodate, any guys interested
leave a message.
70422 Male would love to hook up.
60609 Gay guy in Dublin would like to
meet new friends.
60607 Gay guy Dublin in his thirties would
like to meet other guys for no strings fun.
60286 A 38 year old slim athletic guy, he
is discreet and straight acting and would
like to meet other guys.
32537 Slim guy Dublin would like to meet a
slim versatile guy for regular meet ups.
66647 Male from Dublin northside would
like to meet some men for some daytime
fun he can not accommodate.
56905 David from Kilkenny is pretty horny
at the moment.
43979 Submissive young male is looking
for older dominant males he is into
bondage.
65742 Derek 50, from Dublin is specifically
looking for TV or transsexuals no time
wasters he would love to hear from you.
47291 Cork guy in his late forties looking
for younger submissive cross dresser or TV
must be very feminine.
52275 Chris 44, slim TV is submissive into
rubber he would like to meet a fellow TV or
dominant gay guy.
70422 Tall good looking 40 year old gay
guy, is seeking cross dressers in the Dublin
area with a view to a relationship.
60387 Submissive into discipline bondage
games is looking for a kinky master.
63779 Male is into guards in uniform.
66641 Bi guy is 25 years of age and
looking for an older mature guy for first
time meeting.
40722 Dominick 44, slim fair haired from
the south midlands region he would like to
meet someone in the region or who is
willing to travel, get back to him if you are
interested.
36510 Six foot tall 24 year old from Dublin
would like to meet male for no strings fun.
33078 Eric would like a message from you.
33223 Jimmy from the west of Ireland is in
his fifties and of medium build he would like
to meet gay men into denims and cords in
the west.
65525 Pat from Kerry is genuine and
straight acting he would like to hear from
some other guys.
36948 Forty four year old male would like
to meet a genuine honest sincere guy in his
forties.
66647 Male would like to hear from any
mature guys in their late forties fifties for
some daytime fun he can not accommodate
but hopes you can.
37279 Horny dominant guy seeks
submissive guy for fun friendship and
possible relationship.
56022 John 49, assertive bi-guy is looking
for submissive guys in the midlands.
60190 Dave from Galway is looking for
friendly chat maybe a meet, he is 6ft2”tall
slim build, excitable, get back.
65362 Galway 56 year old male is hairy
and would like a meet up.
60071 Patrick is a slim fair haired guyand
would like to hear from a guy in the
midlands area, if you can travel it is
preferable, he can accommodate.
70422 Gay guy is looking for tall
submissive gay guys between the ages of 20
and 35 in the Dublin area.
60086 Mike from north side Dublin city is
58 years of age would like to meet guys
between the age of 38 and 48 on Saturday
afternoons and the odd week day, he is
non scene.
41144 Genuine submissive obedient 35
year old guy in the Midlands is looking for
an older male who is controlling and
dominant, all replies will be answered very
few limits.
69726 Male in Dublin is seeking guys in
their twenties for fun.
55748 A 44 year old male would like to
meet a guy in the midlands, he would like to
have a chat.
66691 Bi-curious guy in the west is 37
years of age, attached, stocky chubby build,
looking for first time experience.
40577 A 33 year old guy in the South east
area is seeking guys 18 to 30 years of age
for hot fun.
35681 Looking for guys 18 to 25 into
spanking.
36733 John from Dublin is looking for an
old fashioned guy to administer a good
spanking.
43979 A 28 year old horny guy would like
to meet an older kinky guy into bondage.
37279 Horny Dublin guy would like to meet
submissive guys, leave a message.
32537 Seeking a smooth guy in his
twenties in Dublin for regular meets he is in
his thirties seeking discretion.
59501 Young guy from Kerry looking to
meet a decent guy for a few drinks and
whatever.
50709 Two 35 & 36 years of age, one is 6ft
tall slim build the other is 5ft10” tall
medium build, is looking for a threesome.
57409 A 29 year old guy from Cork City is
inexperienced, looking for fun with an older
mature guy with his own place.
69846 Dave mid thirties from Limerick,
clean shaven, good looking, he is seeking a
guy in his twenties.
34834 Adam 36, is 5ft11 into sports, he
would like to meet guys in their twenties
also into sports.
00169 Bi-sexual guy is seeking couple for
daytime fun.
59597 A 24 year old gay guy in Limerick,
looking for genuine sincere guy for fun and
friendship.
32014 Dublin bi-guy is 6ft tall with a rugby
type build, he would like to meet a couple or
gay guy with their own place.
62318 Mark is leather top, 44, stocky, well
endowed from Cork, he would like to meet
young passive males, no time wasters.
62134 Dave 37, from Dublin is looking to
meet a nice for fun and maybe more, so if
your intelligent and cute leave a
message.
69288 Bi cross dresser is in his late
thirties, fair hair blue eyes, smooth would
like some male company with a man in his
forties or fifties.

As a long-term, loving and
committed same sex couple, Drs
Katherine Zappone and Anne Louise
Gilligan have had to fight through
the highest courts in the land to
have their marriage recognised,
while last year, Dublin’s 98FM
offered two complete strangers, who
only got to meet at the actual altar,
the full and legal entitlements of
marriage. Make no mistake; we live
in a homophobic world, says Declan
Cashin.
How stirring was it to see Drs Katherine
Zappone and Anne Louise Gilligan so
eloquently make their case to an
uncharacteristically sensitive Pat Kenny on
the Late Late Show on March 10th? Every
NLGF BOARD
RECRUITMENT
Would you like to
work on issues that
matter to you?
The NLGF – a registered charity and
limited company – has a broad remit of
promoting the rights and welfare of
LGBT people Currently it oversees GCN,
has responsibility for the Irish Queer
Archive, and works in public policy
development and lobbying.
We are expanding the NLGF Board to
support those initiatives and to develop
new ways of promoting LGBT issues.
INTERESTED?
Have a look at the website for further
information www.gcn.ie
36 GCN April 2006 www.gcn.ie
PARTIN’
SHOT
gay person who watched will no doubt have
been profoundly moved and inspired by the
story of how these ladies have tirelessly
fought to have their Canadian marriage
recognised by both the Irish state and the
Irish Revenue Commissioners.
Their High Court action has been well
documented and we all have our fingers
crossed that this momentous case will bring
about an urgent and humane change to
Irish legislation.
However, I would like to draw your
attention to one recent event that serves as
an interesting frame for the whole question
of civil arrangements in Ireland, one that is
particularly revealing about the attitude of
the Irish state to gay and lesbian cohabiting
couples.
Last December marked the first anniversary
of the civil ceremony of Bernadette Coleman
and Patrick Dunne. Who are they, you ask?
Patrick and Bernadette were the winners of
Dublin 98FM’s ‘Two Strangers and a
Wedding’ competition. Bernadette and Patrick
met at the altar for the first time on December
3rd of 2004. Two complete strangers married
as a result of a cash offering by the radio
station and enjoyed a lavish ceremony at
Clontarf Castle, costing €63,000.
This was a turn of events that should offend
every gay and lesbian person in Ireland. It
should also have rankled with the forces that
are out to protect marriage from the apparent
degradation that same sex couples are
seeking to bring to the revered institution. No
offence guys, but I think heterosexuals are
doing a pretty good job of undermining
marriage all by themselves.
All of those commentators who oppose gay
marriage – from pressure groups, the media
and the political establishment – should have
been up in arms over this blatant disregard
for and cheapening of the institution.
A gay couple that have been in a
meaningful, loving, deep-rooted relationship
for decades will have to drag their private life
through the courts, at their own expense, in
order to receive the legal and formal
entitlements that were so frivolously granted
to two complete strangers, who married,
essentially, on the basis of a blind date.
Without even knowing each other’s
favourite colour or their middle names, this
couple could completely exploit a legal
avenue that a loving gay couple has to fight
in the courts to achieve recognition for.
Most gay men and women in Ireland
realistically acknowledge that full-blown
gay marriage is a battle that just cannot be
won, not at this point anyway. However,
judging by the mute reaction to 98FM’s
prize, law-makers and the Irish public
should have no problem with allowing gay
people to formalise their relationships with a
civil ceremony.
After all, if two total strangers can just avail
of the option, with no regard for the
subsequent taxation and legal consequences,
and all to zero public outrage or consternation,
what’s the hold-up with granting that right to
a committed gay couple?
Ah, but there’s the rub. What this points to
is the homophobia that is still at the base of in
our ‘post-gay’, pseudo-liberal society. I should
say at this point that I’m not hoping that the
partnership of Bernadette and Patrick will fail
and I don’t wish them ill personally. Indeed,
Siobhan O’Connor interviewed them for the
Sunday Independent last year and their
marriage seems to be going well.
But everyone must realise how offensive it
Would you like to write a Partin’ Shot? If you’ve
got something to get off your chest, write 1000
words and submit your sentiments to editor@gcn
All submissions are subject to editorial control
“A gay couple that have been in a meaningful, loving, deeprooted
relationship for decades will have to drag their
private life through the courts, at their own expense, in
order to receive the legal and formal entitlements that
were so frivolously granted to two complete strangers.”
is to the gay community to see the thing that
they are striving to achieve being so taken for
granted by a couple, all in the name of
ratings, publicity and cheap sensationalism.
The fact that this case did not provoke any
indignant responses in defence of civil
institutions shows that, deep down, people
don’t really consider the ramifications for the
tax and legal systems, not to mention the
family and the institution of marriage itself,
when a heterosexual couple (and do they
even deserve that title considering that they
didn’t even know each other beforehand?)
avail of a civil union.
It’s when you substitute ‘straight’ for
‘gay’ in that equation that the same people
shake themselves into public remonstration.
If those who have appointed themselves as
the protectors of the basic tenets of society
from apparent exploitation are to do their
job, then perhaps they should widen their
gaze to include heterosexuals too.
Otherwise, depriving gay people of civil
union rights is nothing short of
homophobia, pure and simple.

As a long-term, loving and
committed same sex couple, Drs
Katherine Zappone and Anne Louise
Gilligan have had to fight through
the highest courts in the land to
have their marriage recognised,
while last year, Dublin’s 98FM
offered two complete strangers, who
only got to meet at the actual altar,
the full and legal entitlements of
marriage. Make no mistake; we live
in a homophobic world, says Declan
Cashin.
How stirring was it to see Drs Katherine
Zappone and Anne Louise Gilligan so
eloquently make their case to an
uncharacteristically sensitive Pat Kenny on
the Late Late Show on March 10th? Every
NLGF BOARD
RECRUITMENT
Would you like to
work on issues that
matter to you?
The NLGF – a registered charity and
limited company – has a broad remit of
promoting the rights and welfare of
LGBT people Currently it oversees GCN,
has responsibility for the Irish Queer
Archive, and works in public policy
development and lobbying.
We are expanding the NLGF Board to
support those initiatives and to develop
new ways of promoting LGBT issues.
INTERESTED?
Have a look at the website for further
information www.gcn.ie
36 GCN April 2006 www.gcn.ie
PARTIN’
SHOT
gay person who watched will no doubt have
been profoundly moved and inspired by the
story of how these ladies have tirelessly
fought to have their Canadian marriage
recognised by both the Irish state and the
Irish Revenue Commissioners.
Their High Court action has been well
documented and we all have our fingers
crossed that this momentous case will bring
about an urgent and humane change to
Irish legislation.
However, I would like to draw your
attention to one recent event that serves as
an interesting frame for the whole question
of civil arrangements in Ireland, one that is
particularly revealing about the attitude of
the Irish state to gay and lesbian cohabiting
couples.
Last December marked the first anniversary
of the civil ceremony of Bernadette Coleman
and Patrick Dunne. Who are they, you ask?
Patrick and Bernadette were the winners of
Dublin 98FM’s ‘Two Strangers and a
Wedding’ competition. Bernadette and Patrick
met at the altar for the first time on December
3rd of 2004. Two complete strangers married
as a result of a cash offering by the radio
station and enjoyed a lavish ceremony at
Clontarf Castle, costing €63,000.
This was a turn of events that should offend
every gay and lesbian person in Ireland. It
should also have rankled with the forces that
are out to protect marriage from the apparent
degradation that same sex couples are
seeking to bring to the revered institution. No
offence guys, but I think heterosexuals are
doing a pretty good job of undermining
marriage all by themselves.
All of those commentators who oppose gay
marriage – from pressure groups, the media
and the political establishment – should have
been up in arms over this blatant disregard
for and cheapening of the institution.
A gay couple that have been in a
meaningful, loving, deep-rooted relationship
for decades will have to drag their private life
through the courts, at their own expense, in
order to receive the legal and formal
entitlements that were so frivolously granted
to two complete strangers, who married,
essentially, on the basis of a blind date.
Without even knowing each other’s
favourite colour or their middle names, this
couple could completely exploit a legal
avenue that a loving gay couple has to fight
in the courts to achieve recognition for.
Most gay men and women in Ireland
realistically acknowledge that full-blown
gay marriage is a battle that just cannot be
won, not at this point anyway. However,
judging by the mute reaction to 98FM’s
prize, law-makers and the Irish public
should have no problem with allowing gay
people to formalise their relationships with a
civil ceremony.
After all, if two total strangers can just avail
of the option, with no regard for the
subsequent taxation and legal consequences,
and all to zero public outrage or consternation,
what’s the hold-up with granting that right to
a committed gay couple?
Ah, but there’s the rub. What this points to
is the homophobia that is still at the base of in
our ‘post-gay’, pseudo-liberal society. I should
say at this point that I’m not hoping that the
partnership of Bernadette and Patrick will fail
and I don’t wish them ill personally. Indeed,
Siobhan O’Connor interviewed them for the
Sunday Independent last year and their
marriage seems to be going well.
But everyone must realise how offensive it
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“A gay couple that have been in a meaningful, loving, deeprooted
relationship for decades will have to drag their
private life through the courts, at their own expense, in
order to receive the legal and formal entitlements that
were so frivolously granted to two complete strangers.”
is to the gay community to see the thing that
they are striving to achieve being so taken for
granted by a couple, all in the name of
ratings, publicity and cheap sensationalism.
The fact that this case did not provoke any
indignant responses in defence of civil
institutions shows that, deep down, people
don’t really consider the ramifications for the
tax and legal systems, not to mention the
family and the institution of marriage itself,
when a heterosexual couple (and do they
even deserve that title considering that they
didn’t even know each other beforehand?)
avail of a civil union.
It’s when you substitute ‘straight’ for
‘gay’ in that equation that the same people
shake themselves into public remonstration.
If those who have appointed themselves as
the protectors of the basic tenets of society
from apparent exploitation are to do their
job, then perhaps they should widen their
gaze to include heterosexuals too.
Otherwise, depriving gay people of civil
union rights is nothing short of
homophobia, pure and simple.