with Stephen Meyler

#GLEN #FakeDebates #DreamDaddy

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR?

Even before the gay rights lobbying organisation GLEN made the decision to wind down earlier this year, its funding was itself being wound down. Not only had the private cash from Atlantic Philanthropies dried up, but government support, in the form of money from the HSE, was also being cut. According to GLEN’s former boss Aine Duggan, the HSE was making support for LGBT+ activities less of a priority after the success of the marriage equality referendum.

Is this institutionalised homophobia? Or is the HSE, as it should do with its always under pressure resources, prioritising other funding? After all, GLEN was pretty successful at achieving what it intended. Apart from its big part in marriage equality, it was the main agent of legalisation back in 1993 and over the decades of its existence, the long-term relationships members like Chris Robson, Kieran Rose and Brian Sheehan forged with government officials meant the gay community’s voice was heard, regardless of which parties were in power.