Celtic gay pride

“We want to use our diaspora worldwide to keep that voice out there and in a way give a voice to those who no longer have a voice.”

After all, “we love to talk and we love to share our stories so why not tell the stories of the different communities? An image of those protesting in Dublin was printed in the Irish Times. 

David Norris’ High Court challenge (1977)

David Norris (now Senator Norris) took a High Court challenge against the laws which criminalised sexual activity between men in Ireland.

It’s shameful to know some of our fellow Celtic supporters think this way.

Hating someone because of their sexuality or gender is sheer bigotry, and nothing less.

Something our club has fought against since the day we were established. The act set out rights that civil partners have towards each other, which were similar to that of married couples.

Celebrations are still held annually to mark the success of the referendum. 

Dr Lydia Foy & The Gender Recognition Act (2015)

Dr Lydia Foy has lived publicly as a woman since 1991. The legislative rights and freedoms that LGBTI+ people in Ireland have now are due to the tireless activism, resistance, organising and suffering that the past generation faced.

Pride is a celebration and time of remembrance for LGBTI+ people and for some, this means attending Pride parades or events that usually take place in June or July. On St Patrick’s Day, we celebrate the diversity within all communities no matter where they come from and who they are.”

Year-round visitors can explore Dublin’s Rainbow Mile, or delve into queer Irish history, arts and culture at various national institutions, from a  Rainbow Trail through the National Museum of Ireland,  a self-guided “Through A Lens” tour in the National Gallery of Ireland or the Irish Queer Archive in the National Library of Ireland, created by veteran activist Tonie Walsh who also leads regular Lavender Walk history tours throughout the year.

She was refused. Sexual orientation was only included in the Act after considerable lobbying by LGBTI+ activists

Decriminalisation of sexual activity between men (1993)

In June 1993, Dáil Éireann passed legislation to decriminalise sexual activity between men in Ireland. The march was organised in response to the murder of Declan Flynn in a homophobic attack, in Fairview Park.

The ECHR case allowed for future changes to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Ireland.

In 1988, GLEN (The Gay and Lesbian Equality Network) was also founded, the first issue of GCN was published, and there was an increase of new literature critiquing existing laws and arguing why LGBTI+ equality and justice were important. 

Prohibition of Incitement Act 1989

In 1989 the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act was passed in Ireland and it included hatred on the bases of sexual orientation.

It was an attempt to take stock of where the Irish gay rights movement had come from since the 1970s, to look to the future, but also to explore why, in the view of the organisers, the movement was not stronger and unified.

The Conference provided a rare opportunity for those who were often marginalised within the male-dominated and Dublin-centric gay rights movement in Ireland to have their voices heard.

The court ruled that the refusal to permit same-sex couples to marry in Ireland does not breach provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Civil Partnership Act (2010)

The Civil Partnership Act was passed in Ireland in 2010, which marked a stepping stone to same-sex marriage.

In 1979 the picnic took place in Phoenix Park while in later years it took place in Merrion Square. Norris had successfully argued that the laws were in violation of Article 8 of the Convention.

His case against the Irish State over the constitutional status of the criminalisation of certain homosexual acts was won. […] Is it not time for society, if not for God’s sake then for its own preservation to say that the kissing has to stop?” Also that year, LGBTI+ activists picketed the Vatican embassy on Navan Road in Dublin, decorating the railings outside with condoms. 

Senator Norris’ European High Court Challenge (1988)

In 1988 the European Court of Human Rights, following Norris’ decision to take a case to it challenging the 1861 and 1885 laws which had been ruled to be constitutional by the Irish Supreme Court in 1983, ruled that the laws did in fact contravene the European Convention on Human Rights.

In one of the most blatant public acts carried out by gay and lesbian individuals over 30 gay/lesbian activists staged a kiss-in outside Leinster House in 1988, making headlines as far away as Tipperary. If successful, it would be the first time Euro-Pride has taken place on the island of Ireland.

"Our whole message is pride in our community, and to give a voice to the small communities all the way around the island of Ireland – and Europe.”

Eddie emphasises that while “we all know where the gay bars and the lesbian bars are, they’re all in the cities – the key element is to give a voice to the different aspects of our communities” in the small villages and towns and rural areas of Europe as well as the bigger cities.

He also sees the Euro-Pride bid as an opportunity to use our Irish gift of the gab in powerful ways.