AU
  
You are currently viewing the Australia version of the site.
Would you like to switch to your local site?
3 MIN READ TIME

In memory of Tomen Holbrook

by Killian Atkinson

Dealing with a serious illness is terrifying and it breaks your heart. But it also forces you to take leaps. It teaches you how limited your time is and that it’s up to you to make the best of it. Tom, having been first diagnosed ovarian cancer when he was 17, had already mastered this lesson before I met him. He wasn’t one for putting something off. If he wanted to go to an event he’d book it, and he’d figure out the money later. If he didn’t have much energy he’d do it sitting down.

Tomen & Killian

Me and Tom met in an animation PLC course. For the entire first year he didn’t miss a single day of college. Only half of one, which he missed so that he could be interviewed by RTÉ about the importance of lowering the age of free smear tests in Ireland.

Read the complete article and many more in this issue of GCN
Purchase options below
If you own the issue, Login to read the full article now.
Single Digital Issue 360
 
FREE
BUY NOW
This issue and other back issues are not included in a new subscription. Subscriptions include the latest regular issue and new issues released during your subscription. GCN

This article is from...


View Issues
GCN
360
VIEW IN STORE

Other Articles in this Issue


Editor’s Letter
From The Team
Welcome, dear reader, to our December issue of GCN
Community
NXF: 40 Years and Counting by Caroline Keane, NXF Chair
2019 has been a significant year for all of us
Coming out? For who?
It’s hard for many still figuring out their identity to be instantly bombarded with questions which you’re not quite sure about the answers to yourself
LGBT+Fiction Opening Doors
I learned about so many aspects of LGBT+culture through reading. Books introduced me to my first sense of the world and the knowledge that people were different from me. I also met my first queer companions through the world of literature
Beyond Prevention: Focusing on the needs of people living with HIV
In June of this year, representatives from four Irish cities
Gay Byrne
August 5, 1934 - November 4, 2019
Love All: Out2Tennis
Festive rackets at the ready! The Out2Tennis Christmas tournament is on the way.
Inside Out
Eamon Somers was born and grew up in inner-city Dublin. He was a campaigner and spokesperson with Ireland’ fledgling lesbian and gay rights movement (NGF - now NXF) in the early ‘80s, serving three terms as President of the Administrative Council, during the period of the Charles Self and Declan Flynn murders.
Health
HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) now available through the HSE
From November 4, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is available free of charge through the HSE to those who are at substantial risk of contracting HIV through sex
Culture Club
Culture Club
Earlier this year you’ d be forgiven for feeling a bit overwhelmed by RuPaul’s Drag Race. It seemed like the reality TV hit had reached saturation point. Even in this column, I discussed my mixed feelings about the show’ s eleventh season. But Drag Race UK has been a pleasant surprise and a breath of fresh air
Foreign Service
The Journey
Due to a lack of medical support for trans people in Ireland, Noah Halpin was forced to travel abroad for his top surgery. He details a journey abroad that many in the community are unaware trans people have to undergo, and describes the emotional and physical impact involved
Will St Leger, who accompanied Noah on his journey, gave a guide for carers.
Top Surgery (double mastectomy) can be a big deal for
Feature
MENOPAUSE
Lifting the shame. A Queer Perspective
No Longer Invisible
In January 2019, a small group of individuals came together to form a new organisation called Intersex Ireland - a group set up to support intersex people and their families, educate wider society, and advance the rights and equality of all intersex individuals across the country.
Deciding To Start A Family With Fertility Treatment
For couples deciding to start a family, it can at first seem daunting.
B Sting
Erasing Reality
Stereotypes about bisexuality are still common within both the queer and straight communities.
Photography
Renaissance Men
With his new series of images celebrating the male form in a more sensual, delicate way than the in-your-face hyper masculine norm, photographer Steven Peice shares his process.
Corporate Action
Joined Forces
Dublin’s 2019 Pride celebrations were marked by the visible and vocal splits that emerged in our community due to differing opinions on the presence of multinational corporations in the parade and the increasing commercialisation of the festival.
Safe Space
LGBT+ Asylum Seeker, Refugee & Migrant Peer Support Group.
Songs of Praise
The festive season is upon us! And what better way
Fan(tastic) Fiction
Fiction: Safe Space
Andi lugged the bin bags off the Drimnagh platform at 15.08.
Winter Pride
Winter Pride
Beyond protest and celebration, Pride connects our community, it brings us together, and for 50 years it has kept us together.