In 2004, in Dublin, at Cornucopia Cafe, I sat with my phone, notepad, and a weekend newspaper copy. The frontpage bore a headline that shouted: “Anger in the Church as gay drive hits schools.” At this period, it was barely 12 months since the establishment of the BeLonG To LGBT youth services. The so-called “campaign” being discussed was sparked by our efforts. It was not a campaign in actuality – we had simply procured a fund to create some materials affirming LGBTQ+ for the youth, a fact a diligent reporter found out and decided to discuss with a few bishops.
Comments in the newspaper arrived from Thomas Flynn, a bishop of Achonry and part of the education council for the Irish Episcopal Conference, suggesting that not many teenagers identify as gay. He shared his concern over young individuals feeling outcast among their peers, might relate to this campaign even if they are not LGBTQ+.
This incident was exactly as I had been cautioned when establishing BeLonG To youth services. The expectation was that the media and the Church would use the opportunity to jump on the issue. Even within the adult LBGTQ+ community, setting up a substantial, professional organization for young queer individuals led to mixed reactions. Both the church and the State’s harsh treatment of the queer community had inflicted lasting damage, which further reinforced the widespread and harmful stereotype about gay men being a potential risk to the young population.
Faced with this striking headline on that Monday morning, I didn’t have a pre-established plan – but I slowly initiated our first act of defiance against the orthodox religious ideology. I reached out to the National Parents Council, the National Youth Council, the Union of Students in Ireland, and the Department of Education (who funded us) to request their support.
Even with the ongoing negative media coverage and appeals in the Dáil to withdraw funding from the organization, these national and government agencies stood solidly with us. They boldly advocated for the rights of LGBTQ+ youth to get the necessary support and information. Amid what could have spiralled into a major crisis, we discovered a way to interact with strict Christian conservativeness. Consequently, we launched our campaign the following year.
Indeed, the plight of LGBTQ+ youth has long been a target for both the religious and far-right groups. In the year 1990, the vehement opposition against the acceptance of homosexuality by Family Solidarity, a radical Catholic entity, was well-documented. They insisted that legalising homosexual behaviours and setting a uniform age of consent would send a misguided message to the youth, inadvertently legitimising homosexuality in the society.
Throughout the referendum regarding marriage equality, claims asserting the adverse effects on children and youth were frequently employed by those against such equality, despite the very basis of these claims being dispelled myths.
Presently, it is unfortunate to see an escalation in these harmful narratives. There even exists an alarming trend wherein public officials, teachers, and librarians are derogatorily labelled as ‘predators’ or ‘perverts’, both on and offline.
As we commemorate Pride this week, I am pleased to share that the National Library of Ireland has made my personal archive accessible, which meticulously chronicles my endeavours over the past twenty years towards creating an inclusive and benevolent Ireland for marginalised communities, including the LGBTQ+ individuals. Gathering these documents from multiple locations, especially during 2024, a period where my current focus is to counter vile narratives, has assisted me in drawing parallels between our activist history and current circumstances.
My community finds itself bearing witness to an alarming increase in homophobic and transphobic hostility and violence in recent times, which is both systematic and widespread. Just this week, Natasha O’Brien’s commendable audacity to oppose Cathal Crotty’s homophobic comments in Limerick was met with horrendous violence.
In addition, the Wicklow Pride organisers were compelled to call off their LGBTQ+ Rainbow Ball following the delivery of abusive correspondences to their residence.
It’s clear to see the disturbing trend of rising homophobic and transphobic disinformation campaigns targeting our inner schools – actions which are discernibly aligned with the globally far-right tactics. From 2022 in the US, through 2023 in the UK, and into 2024 in Ireland, it’s evident that the same blueprint is being reused by these far-right groups to instigate their anti-LGBTQ+ activities within our libraries, our schools, and on our streets.
But we have been through this before. This is not our first encounter with such adversity.
The history of battling prejudice in varying manifestations has been a recurring challenge throughout generations. Just when we think we’ve overcome it, it resurfaces once more. Facing pushback on our fundamental human rights necessitates a hopeful outlook, stemming from the knowledge that this is not the first time we’re encountering such obstacles.
We desire an Irish society where love and compassion are driving forces in our day-to-day existence as well as in policy-making at the governmental level.
In the year 2004, when my appeal to national mainstream organisations was for them to epitomise kindness and lend support to LGBT adolescents, a favourable response was received. A decade later, when BeLonG To solicited a transformation in our understanding of what growing up as an LGBT individual in Ireland constituted, the affirmative vote cast in favour of marriage equality embodied that transformation. Data collated by organisations such as Parable Research and the Hope and Courage Collective indicate that the Irish populace is in favour of a compassionate societal structure but require empowerment to take initiative. Solidarity, as we can attest, is impactful. When LGBTQ+ individuals express solidarity with Palestine, the global majority, Muslims, disabled persons, the Traveller and Roma community, along with the young and old, quantum strides towards progress can be made.
It was evident when, in the late 1990s, an assembly of communities heralded our equality legislation, while now, there’s a uniting of entities battling hate. We know we’re heading in the right direction. We’ve discovered that nurturing unexpected alliances proves fruitful.
An alliance between an LGBTQ+ youth organisation and the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (most with careers in Catholic education) may seem incongruous, yet, many safeguards for LGBTQ+ youth emanate from such liaisons.
And yet, we see numerous passionate advocates and activists succumbing to burnout from fighting what often feels like isolated uphill battles. These are people involved in civic society groups as well as those advocating change in government bodies, corporations, schools, and local neighbourhoods. It’s imperative to create support networks for these individuals, and cultivate an ethos that values and rewards audacity to champion what’s right.
Dr. Michael Barron acts as the executive director of the Rowan Trust. His contributions to the cause can be found in the Michael Barron Papers now housed at the National Library of Ireland.