This page highlights from Kieran’s career as a prominent LGBTQ+ advocate and campaigner for LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality. It also includes resources from Kieran’s work as Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC).
More material on LGBTQ+ issues and the campaign for equality are available on www.eoin-collins.ie. More resources are available in the National Library. The archive boxes are as follows:
- Cork (early 1980s)
- Trade Unions (early 1980s)
- GLEN (1988-94)
- GLEN (Phase Two c1994-2004)
- GLEN (Phase Three with Atlantic Philanthropies funding c2005-2017)
- Civil Partnership
- Yes Equality campaign
- Legislation, Dáil and Seanad Debates (1980s on)
- Kieran’s photos
October 2025
‘How the Irish Marriage Equality Referendum Was Nearly Lost in 2015: A Personal Perspective’ [Resource]
This essential resource documents a pivotal struggle about the ownership and strategy of the Yes Equality campaign in March 2015. This resource is Kieran’s contribution to the 10th anniversary of the success in ireland’s Marriage Referendum in 2015.
Kieran dedicates this publication to Eoin Collins who was central to all the progress for LGBT people since late 1980s, including the achievement of Civil Partnerships paving the way to Civil Marriage.
Thanks to Alan Hatton for another great design.
August 2025
‘Equality is a core value of our movement’ [Video]
In late August, SIPTU published a short video highlighting the role of trade unions in achieving progress for the LGBT+ community in Ireland (a full-screen version is available on Kieran’s instagram below).
July 2025
Receiving the Jim Kemmy Labour Youth Thirst for Justice Award at the Labour Youth Tom Johnson Summer School in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin [Speech/Speaking Notes]
On 12 July 2025, Kieran was honoured to recieve the the Jim Kemmy Labour Youth Thirst for Justice Award. Pictured below with Labour Party Leader Ivana Bacik T.D.and Dr. Salome Mbugua, and Labour Youth delegates, and Robert O’Donoghue T.D. The award was officially presented by James Joy.
June / July 2025
Disregard of Historic Offences for Consensual Sexual Activity Between Men Bill
In an important rmilestone for the Restorative Justice Campaign, Sinn Féin Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh introduced a Private Members’ Bill (PMB) in Dáil Éireann. The PMB was co-sponsored by Deputies Catherine Connolly, Ged Nash, Pádraig Rice, Paul Murphy, and Roderic O’Gorman.
Kieran’s role in exposing this hidden history was pivotal to this major step forward, as noted in the FIrst Stage debate on the Bill and news articles.
- Sinn Féin Press Release [27 June 2025]
- Bill
- Bill (Explanatory Memo)
- First Stage debate (watch video here – timing from 01:37:50) [1 July 2025]
- News article [29 June 2025]
- LGBT+ Restorative Justice Campaign Press Release [1 July 2025]
- ‘Legislative Measures’ Priority Question to (and response from) the Minister for Justice [3 July 2025]
4 July 2025
‘Bin The Convictions LGBT Suffered Under Cruel Laws‘ [Radio interview]
An insightful interview where Kieran explains the need to scrap convictions that happened when being gay was illegal.
20 June 2025
Navan Pride 2025 [Photos/Video]
Kieran’s powerful talk on how queer liberation and workers’ rights go hand in hand.
Watch (brief) video here and see photos below. Pictured is Kieran’s pioneering publication ‘Trade Unions and Progress for LGBT People: A Personal History‘.
17 June 2025
Event Poster for ‘Marraige Equality & Trade Unions – A Labour of Love‘, 17 June 2025 [Poster]
A poster from an ICTU talk in June 2025 in Cois Life Bar and Connolly Hall (Dublin), featuring Kieran.
May 2025
‘Legislative Measures’ [Transcript – response to Parliamentary Question]
In this response to a Parliamentary Question submitted by Sinn Féin Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh to the Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan regarding the status of ‘Disregard’ legislation, the Tullow case and research made available by KieranRose.ie is specifically mentioned.
28 May 2024 / November 2024 / January 2025 / April 2025
Trade Unions and Progress for LGBT People: A Personal History [Publication]
The trade union movement was hugely important in progress for LGBT people in Ireland from the early 1980s when we had few supporters but many powerful enemies. This history is largely unrecognised and unwritten, significant exceptions to this are Orla Egan and the Cork LGBT Archive, and Dr. Patrick McDonagh’s great research in his book ‘Gay and Lesbian Activism in the Republic of Ireland, 1973-93’ (2021).
In this new publication (published in May 2024), Kieran assembles a comprehensive history of trade unions and progress for LGBT people in Ireland.
Kieran launched the publication at the Forsa conference ‘Organising for equality: Then, now and in the future‘ in November 2024 (click to view the full programme).
A December 2024 blog ‘IHREC at 10 – a trade union perspective‘ by David Joyce of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) further acknowledges the work of Kieran in his role as Commissioner of IHREC and his hard won efforts leading to the establishment of the Worker Employer Advisory Committee (WEAC) sub-group.
A January 2025 review of this pioneering publication was written by Seamus Dooley, Assistant General Secretary of the National Union of Journalists (accessible below). Fórsa trade union would later republish the review across all it’s ebulletins (to all Fórsa members).
In April 2025, Kieran gave a talk at an event hosted by the Irish Labour History Society at ILHS headquarters (Begger’s Bush, Dublin) examining the impact of the trade union movement on the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights in Ireland. The event was chaired by Shay Cody, President of the ILHS. Also in attendance was Bill Foley (partner of the late Christopher Robson) and Proinsias de Rossa who played a very important role in progress for LGBT people. Photos courtesy of Eddie Soye.
A video and photos of the event are accesible below.
Video
Slides (Presentation)
Photos
August 2024
Disregard Legislation and Restorative Justice [Article]
Kieran penned this insightful article for the Cork Pride festival magazine. In it, Kieran explores the history behind disregard legislation to exonerate men and youth who are arrested, prosecuted, convicted and imprisoned for their sexuality.
The full magazine is available here, and the link to the specific article is below.
June 2024
Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) Phase 2 1994-2005: A Personal History [Report]
The second phase of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) from 1994 to 2005 is a period when significant progress was made but remains mostly undocumented. This visual report, written by Kieran, catalogues that progress and achievements over that 10-year period.
26 June 2024
Trade Unions and Progress for LGBT People – a proud history [Online article]
In this special Pride article, Kieran speaks to ICTU about his involvement in LGBT activism and the fight for LGBT rights in Ireland over the last several decades.
February 2024
Homosexuality and Prosecutions in an Irish Town in the 1960s: The Tullow Case [Publication / Resource List]
This (draft) resource document compiles and curates resources on an key moment in Irish LGBT+ history.
This draft publication is authored by Kieran.
February 2024
Some Legislation, Motions, Questions, and Statements in Dail and Seanad, relating to LGBT issues [Publication / Resource List]
This (draft) resource document compiles and curates resources on an key legislative developments related to LGBT+ issues.
This draft publication is authored by Kieran.
January 2024
Love and Sex Between Men in Dublin, 1884-1973 [Talk/Video]
In this historic talk, Dr Averill Earls of St. Olaf College (Northfield, Minnesota) will give a brief overview of the history of love and sex between men in Dublin, as well as the role of class, nationalism, and policing in shaping the sexual subculture of Dublin, from 1884 until 1973.
The talk was the result of a proposal made by Kieran to Charles Duggan (Heritage Officer of Dublin City Council).
This talk took place in the Mansion House, Dublin.
2022-2023
Resources related to the Disregard of Convictions for Certain Qualifying Offences Related to Consensual Sexual Activity between Men.
[Report] Convictions for Homosexual Acts in the Irish Courts, 1992-1993 (May 2022)
[Report] ‘Disregard and Redress: Restorative Justice for people impacted by Ireland’s anti-gay laws’ (November 2022)
[Report] Working Group to Examine the Disregard of Convictions for Certain Qualifying Offences Related to Consensual Sexual Activity between Men: Final Report (June 2023)
[Report] Summary Report on the Public Consultation on the Disregard of Convictions for Certain Qualifying Offences related to Consensual Sexual Activity between Men [June 2023]
October 2023
Irish Parliamentary Engagement on LGBT Issues, 1922-1970 [Resource document / Transcript links]
This useful resource document provides insights into parliamentary debates on LGBT issues in the period 1932-1970, including such debates as:
- The Carrigan Committee report of c1932 and the resulting Criminal Law Amendment Bill 1935.
- The Censorship Acts prohibited publications regarding “unnatural vice” a term used for homosexuality.
- ‘Land of Spices’ by Kate O’Brien was banned in 1941 for a very brief reference to two men being in the embrace of love and was debated in the Seanad in 1942.
July 2023
Kieran’s Interview – 50 Years of LGBT+ Activism in Ireland project [Transcript]
This interview was provided by Kieran as part of the collection ‘Fifty Years of LGBTI+ Activism in Ireland: Social Forces and Legal Change’, an Irish Research Council funded project. This project comprises the creation of a digital archive of personal narratives from the struggle for LGBTI+ rights and liberation since 1972.
July/August 2023
‘A Remarkable Journey : Reflecting on the Decriminalisation of Homosexuality 30 Years Later‘ [Opinion piece/Article]
Kieran reflects on the journey since the 1993 breakthrough for LGBT+ rights in Ireland with the passing of an equality-based gay law reform and the inclusion of sexual orientation in the Unfair Dismissals Act.
July 2023
National Centre for Research and Remembrance: Submission to Public Consultation [Report]
Submission to the public consultation for a National Centre for Research and Remembrance. More information here.
June 2023
Government plans to disregard historical convictions over sexual acts between men [Audio clip]
Kieran speaking on the issue and the recommendations of the Disregard Working Group on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland radio programme.
November 2022
Organising for Equality [Video]
Video produced by Ireland’s largest public service trade union. 2022 was the 40th anniversary of passing of a strong LGBT equality motion by the Cork branch AGM of the LGPSU (predecessor to Forsa) and later by the national union at its annual delegate conference.
Kieran proposed the Cork Branch Motion. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) later adopted a motion supporting LGBT equality.
This video was the culmination of Kieran’s lobbying.
November 2022
40 Years of Trade Unions supporting LGBT+ equality [Article]
2022 was the 40th anniversary of passing of a strong LGBT equality motion by the Cork branch AGM of the LGPSU (predecessor to Forsa) and later by the national union at its annual delegate conference. The ICTU partnered with the Financial Services Union (FSU) to produce a series of webinars marking the anniversary.
This video features Kieran and Dr Patrick McDonagh, Author of ‘Gay and Lesbian Activism in the Republic of Ireland, 1973-93 and is hosted by Karl Hayden of FSU. The panel discuss the background leading up to the passing of the motion in support of gay rights in Ireland, the drafting of the motion and journey it took to be passed at Congress and its impact on future developments for the LGBT community in Ireland.
January 2022
Pardons for persons convicted of homosexual acts [Research paper]
This briefing paper, produced by the Irish Parliamentary Research Service, provides information about legislation that prohibited homosexual acts in Ireland, and informative statistics about prosecutions and convictions.
Though requested by Patrick Costello, Green Party T.D., the motivation for the research came from Kieran.
November 2021
Forbidden Love: Same Sex Relationships in Early 20th Century Ireland [Video]
Produced as part of Ireland’s Decade of Centenaries, this webinar features Dr Patrick McDonagh, Dr. Averill Earls and Dr. Mary McAuliffe.
Kieran was integral in including LGBT history as a project as part of the Decade of Centenaries.
Note: The webinar starts at 1min 20secs.
July 2021
Letter referencing the Decade of Commemorations from Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin T.D. [Letter]
Letter to Cian O’Callaghan T.D. from Minister Martin references Kieran’s raising of the issue of the LGBT+ experiences over the past century.
July 2021
Gay Activism in Early 1980s Cork [Article]
In the 2021 edition of the Cork Pride Festival Magazine, Kieran contributed a valuable article on gay activism in Cork in the early 1980s where he was actively involved.
July 2021
By Any Other Name [Article]
GCN Magazine article featuring many of Kieran’s photos.
March 2021
A Discussion of the History of the LGBT Rights Movement in Ireland [3-Part Video Series]
Kieran in conversation with Dr Patrick McDonagh, introduced by Brian Crowley.
Filmed on location in Kilmainham Gaol (Dublin) for OUTing the Past Dublin 2021 – the International Festival of LGBTI+ History. The festival was a collaboration between Kilmainham Gaol/The Office of Public Work (OPW), The National Museum of Ireland and The National Gallery of Ireland.
January 2021
Campaigning for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ireland, 1981-1993 [Article]
Bob Cant (contributor to NOTCHES blog) and Kieran in conversation about trade union involvement in the campaigns for lesbian and gay rights in Ireland between 1981 and 1993.
Bob and Kieran first met in 1995 when Kieran went to Edinburgh to speak at a meeting during Pride Scotland about lesbian and gay campaigning in small nations.
February 2020
Local Government and Public Services Union (LGPSU) and Lesbian and Gay Workers Rights [Article]
A detailed account by Kieran of the often overlooked role of the Irish trade union movement in attaining progress for LGBT people from the early 1980s. Kieran was an activist in the LGPSU at that time.
All Kieran’s trade union records are in his archives in the National Library of Ireland. See also www.corklgbtarchive.com
February 2020
IDATU Union: Lesbian and Gay Workers 1980s [Resource]
Another detailed account by Kieran of the role of the Irish trade union movement in attaining progress for LGBT people from the early 1980s. IDATU (now MANDATE) and IDATU General Secretary John Mitchell were powerful allies in making progress within ICTU. Included in this resource is sparky correspondence between John and ICTU General Secretary Donal Nevin. John as General Secretary of IDATU was a strong supporter of the Dunnes Stores workers who went on strike for refusing to handle produce from apartheid South Africa.
All Kieran’s trade union records are in his archives in the National Library of Ireland. See also www.corklgbtarchive.com
February 2020
Employment Equality Agency, Sylvia Meehan and the evolution of equality legislation [Resource]
A detailed account by Kieran of the evolution of equality legislation in Ireland from the 1980s to the present day, including a profile of Sylvia Meehan, an Irish campaigner for the rights of women and older people and chief executive of the Employment Equality Agency (EEA) from 1977-1992.
June 2019
Pride 2019 [Presentation]
A collection of documents and photos compiled by David Joyce for the ICTU Pride event in 2019.
Kieran was interviewed by Seamus Dooley at the event (featured).
June 2018
The evolution of trade union support for lesbians and gay in Ireland [Resource / Notes / Presentation]
A compilation of notes made by Kieran reflecting the changing attitudes in trade unions in Ireland toward LGBT+ equality.
2017
GLEN and the Remarkable Journey to Marriage [Book Chapter (20)]
A fascinating account included in the 2017 book ‘Crossing the Threshold: The Story of the Marriage Equality Movement‘.
Also included is a draft chapter (with track changes) showing the manuscript in evolution.
Written by Kieran Rose and Brian Sheehan.
November 2016
GLEN Submission to the Citizen’s Assembly on the repeal of the 8th Amendment
Brief letter drafted by Kieran to convey GLEN support for repeal of the 8th Amendment to the Constitution regarding abortion rights.
This was a key issue of the 2016-2018 Citizen’s Assembly.
The letter and it content was spearheaded by Kieran who pioneered GLEN support for repeal.
June 2016
Gay bars are not only places to have fun, they are havens of freedom and relief [Submission]
Submission written by Kieran to An Bord Pleanála supporting the retention of the sign for Dublin’s famous PantiBar and underscoring the historic need for safe LGBT spaces. The appeal was ultimately successful and permission to retain the sign was granted.
Earlier research on the topic of safe spaces is available at ‘Working in Partnership for HIV Prevention in Gay Saunas: A Pilot Project in Two Gay Saunas‘. This is a 1998 report by Gay HIV Strategies and Nexus Research. Kieran was a Project Director of Gay HIV Strategies.
June 2016
An Employee and Employer Advisory Committee Under Section 18 [Letter]
Along with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) Marriage Equality policy of 2015, Kieran cites the establishment of this Committee as one of his greatest achievements during his tenure as a Commissioner of IHREC. Kieran had deemed it vital that the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and the Irish Business Employer’s Confederation (IBEC) had a statutory Advisory Committee to connect with IHREC.
Ultimately, Kieran became the first IHREC chair of the (then established) Worker Employer Advisory Committee.
May 2016
Kieran’s speaking notes: Dublin Lord Mayor’s 2016 Award to GLEN
Dublin Lord Mayor (Críona Ní Dhálaigh) gave an award to GLEN to commemorate its achievements over 28 years.
Kieran gave the thank you speech on behalf of GLEN as GLEN co-chair.
The awards were held in the Mansion House, Dublin on 3 May 2016.
September 2015
The Reminiscences of Kieran Rose [Transcript]
A recorded interview with Kieran conducted by George Gavrilis on 1 and 3 September 2015. The interview is part of phase 2 of the Atlantic Philanthropies Oral History Project.
April 2015
‘Yes for marriage, yes for business, yes for Ireland – An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny T.D.‘ [Article]
This April 2015 article highlights another important milestone in Irish LGBT+ issues. In April, GLEN hosted an event for leaders and influencers in the tech sector in Ireland. The event underscored An Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s and business leader’s “unequivocal support” for a Yes vote in the May 2015 marraige equality referendum.
Below is a photo of An Taoiseach from the event included in the landmark book ‘Ireland Says Yes: The Inside Story of How the Vote for Marriage Equality Was Won‘ authored by Noel Whelan, Brian Sheehan and Gráinne Healy.
March 2015
Memo containing recommendations of the Strategic Advisory Group [Report]
Supplied to the Yes Equality Executive Committee in March 2015 (73 days to polling day), this memo set out clear objectives and actions aimed at better structuring a national Yes Equality campaign.
Kieran was a key member of the Strategic Advisory Group. The memo (and the recommendations) is/are seen as key to the campaign’s ultimate success.
March 2015
Now is the time for full equality [Speech]
Kieran’s speech at the launch of the Yes Equality campaign on 9 March 2015.
February 2015
Referendum strategy recommendations [Notes]
Notes circulated by Kieran to GLEN people and the external experts we had been bringing together including the late Noel Whelan, Bride Rosney, Peter Ward, Mark Garrett and others. The last recommendation is about ‘Civil Society for Yes’ which was ultimately reflected in the Mark Garrett / Strategic Advisory Group memo about restructuring the Yes campaign (see above).
December 2014-March 2015
IHREC Press Release ‘ IHREC publishes policy statement on access to civil marriage‘ [Press release/Policy document]
As a Commissioner, Kieran proposed (in 2014) that the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) take a position in favour of Civil Marriage for same-sex couples
As Kieran describes, there was some foot-dragging and delaying tactics though Kieran would later, at a plenary meeting, state that either IHREC believes that opening out Civil Marriage to same-sex couples is a matter of human rights and equality, or it doesn’t. That seemed to clinch the matter and this strong policy statement from IHREC resulted.
Additional background material that Kieran supplied to Emily Logan (Chief Commissioner) and other Commissioners is available below, as is the draft text of the email sent by Kieran in December 2014. This email also shows Eoin Collins’ continued involvement in GLEN from New York.
For context, In 2002 the Equality Authority had called for Civil Marriage for same-sex couples in its report ‘Implementing Equality for Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals’. The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) in it’s 2006 report ‘The Rights of De Facto Couples’ did not accept that Civil Marriage was a basic Human Right for same-sex couples. IHRC refused to call for Civil Marriage for same-sex couples despite Katherine Zappone being a Commissioner at the time. Meanwhile in 2006 Eoin Collins managed to persuade the Colley Working Group (mostly senior civil servants) to go beyond its remit and recommend Civil Marriage for same-sex couples or full Civil Partnership if marriage was Constitutionally vulnerable.
The IHREC policy recieved positive media coverage (Irish Times, February 2015 and Equinet, February 2015).
Also included below is evidence of the significant blow back against the IHREC policy in favour of same-sex marriage including a March 2015 letter to Emily Logan from Galway East T.D.,Colm Keaveney. The letter shows the percieved ‘threat’ support for same-sex marriage posed at that time.
Ultimately, the campaign against the IHREC policy statement did not gain any traction, as evidenced by the March 2015 front page Sunday Times article below.
March 2014
The Remarkable Journey Towards Equality and Civil Marriage for Lesbians and Gay Men in Ireland [Programme and Presentation]
Kieran , in his role as chair of GLEN, was a panelist at a one-day conference in the Faculty of Law Centre for Criminal Justice & Human Rights, University College Cork entitled ‘Marriage Equality, Relationship Recognition and Non-Discrimination – Securing Equality and Rights?‘
In it, Kieran summarises the journey to date.
February 2014
We can paint homophobia completely out of existence [OpEd / News artcle]
Opinion piece for the Irish Times written by Kieran highlighting how lesbian and gay people equality is not ideological but a very practical matter in their lives.
Included below is an emailed response from Eoin Collins to the idea of an OpEd in January 2014. In it, Eoin references a January 2014 article by Noel Whelan (Irish Times, January 2014).
January 2014
GLEN: Mid-Term Evaluation of Completing the Task Programme [Report]
This important report, written by Pamela Montgomery, provides an external mid-term evaluation of GLEN’s work under its Completing the Task programme. This was aimed to build on GLEN’s platform of achievement to effect further change.
July 2013
Tribute to Chris Robson [Article]
Chris (1941-2013) was a longstanding LGBTQ+ campaigner, civil rights activist and trade unionist. Chris was one of the founding members of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN).
This tribute was written by Kieran for the IMPACT Trade Union magazine (Issue 22, Summer/Autumn 2013).
June 2013
Dáil and Seanad Debates on Decriminalisation of Homosexuality, June 1993 [Article]
An important report published by GLEN to mark the 20th anniversary of gay law reform in 2013.
February 2013
From Criminals to Civil Marriage: The Remarkable Journey Towards Equality in Ireland [Presentation]
Kieran’s presentation, as GLEN Chair, during LGBT History Month charting the progress achieved since the mid-1990s (decriminalisation) to that point.
The event was held at the Clarence Hotel, Dublin.
December 2012
Remarks by Kieran Rose (as chair of GLEN) at the launch of ‘Know Your Rights’ and ‘Civil Partnership: A Guide for Practitioners’ [Speech and Video]
Kieran’s speech at the launch on 20th December of the two landmark authoritative publications written by Dr. Fergus Ryan of Dublin Institute of Technology.
The event was held in the Four Courts, Dublin and launched by Ireland’s Chief Justice, the Honourable Justice Susan Denham.
September 2012
GLEN Presentation to the Immigrant Council of Ireland: ‘The Road to Civil Marriage’ [Presentation]
Kieran, as GLEN Chair, provided this highly detailed and informative briefing to the ICI.
July 2012
GLEN Briefing to the Labour Parliamentary Party: ‘Building on the Success of Civil Partnerships/Civil Unions’ [Speech]
Not long after the first Civil Partnerships took place in 2011, GLEN renewed its advocacy for Civil Marriage, including briefing the various parliamentary parties in the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament).
Kieran, as GLEN Chair, provided this briefing to The Labour Party parliamentary party.
April 2012
Working Group on the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Report for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence [Report]
An important report leading to the establishment of IHREC.
Kieran was a Ministerial appointee to the Working Group. This report references a new definition of human rights, something KIeran strongly advocated for. This would ultimately allow the newly formed IHREC to argue strongly for Civil Marriage in 2015 on the basis that it was a matter for human rights and equality.
July 2010
Remarks by Kieran Rose (as chair of GLEN) at the launch Launch of Seanad Speeches to Celebrate and Mark Passage of Civil Partnership Bill In Ireland [Speech and Video]
Two reports were compiled by GLEN comprising second stage parliamentary debates on Civil Partnership in both Houses of the Oireachtas / Irish Parliament (Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann).
Two videos accompany the Seanad Debates publication launch in July 2010 and include speeches by Kieran, and the then Minister for Justice and Law Reform, Dermot Ahern T.D.
2010
Interview for RTÉ documentary “The Limits of Liberty” [Video]
Kieran in conversation with Prof. Diarmaid Ferriter. With thanks to Karl Hayden.
June 2009
Green Party representatives (and Kieran) discuss Civil Partnership Bill [Video]
Green Party Leader John Gormley, T.D., Deputy Chair of the Green Party’s National Council Roderic O’Gorman, and Green Party Justice and Equality spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe T.D., discuss the Government’s new Civil Partnership Bill, with Kieran. The Green Party was a member of the coalition Government led by Fianna Fáil at that time.
This (hastily organised) press conference was held in the GLEN offices in Fumbally Court, Dublin.
Spring 2008
Equality News – Diversity Powering Success [Article]
Kieran’s article in Spring 2008 Equality News.
Kieran was on the board of the Equality Authority at that point.
March 2007
Address by Kieran Rose, Chairperson of GLEN, welcoming Christine Quinn, Speaker of New York City Council [Speech]
Kieran’s speech as Chairperson of GLEN welcoming Speaker Quinn charting GLEN’s success to date.
May 2006
‘Same-Sex Recognition, 2006‘ [Video]
A RTÉ news piece to accompany the publication of the IHREC report backing civil partnerships for same-sex couples.
2006
Civil Unions Bill 2006 Explanatory Memo [Legislation]
The Civil Unions Bill 2006 (a private member’s bill sponsored by the Labour Party) was the culimination of work by Kieran and Eoin Collins (among others). The Labour Party relied heavily on the Colley Report and Recommendations of the Colley Working Group for this Bill. Eoin was chiefly responsible for the analysis and recommendation of Colley.
The Labour Party Civil Unions Bill was a game changer, leading ultimately to the Civil Partnership Act and Marriage Equality.
2007
GLEN Annual Report 2006: Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual People at the Heart of Ireland’s Progress [Report]
Kieran was GLEN chair and provided the foreword.
August 2003
Did Anyone Notice Us? [Video documentary]
An award-winning Irish documentary by Edmund Lynch looks at archival records of 20 years of individual courage and campaigning from 1973 to 1993, culminating in the passing of the law decriminalising sex between men in Ireland.
Kieran features in several scenes including RTÉ’s Late Late Show (1989) and RTÉ’s Prime Time (1993).
2000
Irish Queer and Equal? Conference Report [Speech]
Speech by Kieran on the progress in Ireland (Republic) toward LGBT equality.
1998
Parallel Universes: Gay & Lesbian Issues and Local Development [Book Chapter]
Chapter written by Kieran included in a 1998 publication ‘Local Development in Ireland: Policy Implications for the Future’.
‘Parallel Universes’ is Kieran’s reference to mainstream community development organisations having State funding being part of State programmes like Area Partnerships. At that time, LGBT community development organisations were not funded and were not included in State programmes.
Kieran’s chapter and the full book are accessible below.
1996
‘The Happy Gordons’ [Documentary]
Produced in 1996, this 30-minute documentary takes a unique look at an Irish community once hidden by religious and traditional prejudices. ‘The Happy Gordons’ explores the reasons for this sudden change in attitudes towards the gay Irish. ‘The Happy Gordons’ uses theatre and music, and footage of Gay Pride marches in Dublin and Belfast and the St. Patrick’s Day demonstration in New York. Features an interview with Kieran [14:38-16:00].
Video link courtesy of Northern Visions NVTV.
February 1996
Gay Community News – Homelessness Seminar [Article]
Article featuring Kieran and Carol Anne O’Brien referring to a seminar on LGBT homelessness organised by GLEN and Focus Point Ireland.
1995
Download 1: The Tenderness of the Peoples [Book chapter in ‘Lesbian and Gay Visions of Ireland, edited by Íde O’Carroll and Eoin Collins]
A book chapter written by Kieran addressing LGBT issues internationally, including colonialism, trade unions, international solidarity, the need for countries to develop their own strategies for LGBT progress, and comparisons of Ireland with Tasmania.
Download 2: Anatomy of a Campaign [Book chapter in ‘Lesbian and Gay Visions of Ireland, edited by Íde O’Carroll and Eoin Collins]
This chapter written by Chris Robson i s a concise analysis of the successful GLEN campaign 1988-1994, for gay law reform on the basis of equality, broad Equality legislation and inclusion of sexual orientation in the Unfair Dismissals Act.The article emphasises the work of GLEN on employment issues and with the trade union movement.
1994
Diverse Communities: The Evolution of Lesbian and Gay Politics in Ireland [Book]
Kieran’s in-depth account of the struggle for lesbian and gay rights in Ireland in the period 1970s-1990s. He traces the development of Irish LGBT organisations, AIDS activism and many other major milestones. He also traces the fight for law reform to provide protection for LGBT workers and to decriminalise homosexuality.
April 1993
The Decriminalisation of Homosexual Acts – Draft Memorandum for Government [Memo]
The (very) detailed memorandum for government dated April 1993 on the decriminalisation of homosexual acts. Also includes the General Scheme (draft law) for decriminalisation.
This memo was of great benefit to GLEN and campaign for LGBT+ equality in Ireland.
November 1992
Demand to Decriminalise Homosexuality [Video]
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 12 November 1992 highlighting gay community and equality activists reaction to Taoiseach Albert Reynold’s comments that decriminalisation was low on his list of priorities despite the Council of Europe calling on the Government to decriminalise within 6 months.
These comments were described as “Reckless, Irresponsible, Dishonest” by Kieran in his writing for the Gay Community News (GCN) magazine. Kieran was centrally featured and interviewed for this broadcast.
May 1992
Unfair Dismissals Act – Proposed Sexual Orientation Amendment Resource Material [Report]
A resource document published by GLEN showcasing efforts to protect LGBT workers as well as the campaign for gay law reform.
The campaign for including sexual orientation in the 1977 Unfair Dismissals Act went back to the First National Gay Conference in Connolly Hall Cork in 1981.
Other GLEN resource documents from 1992 are available on www.eoin-collins.ie
May 1991
The Fear Of Diversity: Gay and Lesbian Rights [Article]
Article by Kieran detailing the situation for lesbians and gay men in Ireland and elsewhere in 1991.
Features a photo of Simon Nkoli, a South African anti-apartheid activist, in Vienna at the ILGA Conference.
1990
Equal Status Bill 1990, sponsored by the Labour Party [Resource]
A key input to this Bill was the successful lobbying of Niamh Breathnach of the Labour Party by GLEN to include sexual orientation and other grounds in it.
A huge breakthrough for LGBT people laying the basis for the Equality Legislation enacted in the later 1990s which we still have today.
1990
Alternative Ireland DIrectory: Lesbian and Gay Viewpoint [Article]
Article by Kieran on prevailing LGBT issues.
1988
Lesbians and Gay Men [Book chapter]
Chapter written by Kieran.
Kieran and John Fannon met the LGBT group in Managua when in Nicaragua as part of the First Irish Coffee Brigade supporting Nicaraguans against US imperialism.
Lupita Sequiera was one of the leaders of the LGBT group and later did a speaking tour in Ireland including Cork and Dublin.
Photos of Kieran and John in Nicaragua and Lupita in Ireland are in Kieran’s photography collection. Upon their return, the book was produced. The Dublin Resource Centre played a big role in getting the book published which was launched in their bookshop on Crowe Street, Dublin. Michael D Higgins (the current President of Ireland) wrote the introduction.
June 1986
‘Discrimination and Sexual Orientation’ [Report]
A report of the first LGBT seminar organised by the Northern Ireland Committe of ICTU in Belfast. This report followed on from the 1985 ICTU seminar in Dublin.
Report by Ann Hope and Marie Quiery of ASTMS trade union, which would eventually become Unite the union.
Other documents from the Belfast seminar are in the Trade Union box of Kieran’s archives in the National Library of Ireland.
25 February 1984
Minutes of the Lesbian / Gay Activists Meeting [Minutes]
Minutes for the first public meeting of the Campaign for the Rights of Lesbians and Gay Men. The meeting was an outcome of the great energy following major developments such as the Fairview March, first Gay Pride Parade, the various National Gay and Lesbian Conferences, progress in the Trade Unions, etc. Such meetings were a precursor to the eventual establishment of GLEN.
1984
Gay Rights – A Trade Union Concern [Article]
Article by Kieran for the LGPSU magazine in his role on the Cork Branch Committee, and member of the Cork Gay Collective.
The trade union movement was hugely important in progress for LGBT people in Ireland from the early 1980s, when, in Kieran’s words “we few supporters but many powerful enemies”. The LGPSU was key to trade union progress for lesbian and gay workers.
For more on the LGPSU role, see here.
1982
Accused ‘had to kill’ hotel porter and Jury finds Cork man guilty of manslaughter [Articles]
These shocking article detail the murder of 29-year old John Roche in 1982. During the trial, the defense of ‘homosexual panic’ used.
The second article refers to the defense that the accused was not really killing John Roche, he was ‘striking out at the debauchery’.
The 26-year old killer, Michael O’Connor, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter.
Kieran Rose 