The reaction to our newly-redesigned GCN magazine and website has been huge and heartening, but counterbalancing our celebration, it’s been a sad beginning to the summer. On the day our relaunch issue was printed, Ireland’s queer community lost one of its greatest champions of equality, the powerhouse that was Ann Louise Gilligan. And then on July 1, legendary and beloved Cork activist, Dave Roach passed away suddenly. Both Ann Louise’s and Dave’s partners, Katherine Zappone and Paul O’Sheah, pay tribute to them in this issue, and while we know there are hard times ahead, we also know the legacies of both these hugely courageous mavericks will live on, not only in the LGBT+ community, but in Ireland.
All at GCN extend our sympathies to Ann Louise’s and Dave’s families and friends at this time, and encourage them to know that their community is supporting them.