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The history of [[lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender]] people in [[Ireland]].
The history of [[lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender]] people in [[Ireland]].


==Pre-20th century==
==Pre-20th century==
The first recorded potential trans individual in Dublin was a 19th-century trans man Patrick McCormack, who lived from 1821 to 1871. McCormack was a famine survivor and worked as a [[labourer]], while living in [[Castleknock]].<ref>https://irishhistorypodcast.ie/dublins-first-recorded-transperson/</ref> Another 19th-century probable trans man was [[Albert Cashier]] (born Jennie Hodgers, 1843–1915) from [[County Louth]], who fought on the [[Union (American Civil War)|Union side]] of the [[American Civil War]].<ref>https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/when-jennie-came-marching-home-an-irishwoman-s-diary-on-albert-cashier-and-the-us-civil-war-1.3456012</ref>
The first recorded trans individual in Dublin was a 19th-century [[trans man]] Patrick McCormack, who lived from 1821 to 1871. McCormack was a famine survivor and worked as a [[labourer]], while living in [[Castleknock]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://irishhistorypodcast.ie/dublins-first-recorded-transperson/|title = Dublin's first recorded transgender person? • Irish history podcast|date = 9 May 2018}}</ref> Another 19th-century trans man was [[Albert Cashier]] (born Jennie Hodgers, 1843–1915) from [[County Louth]], who fought on the [[Union (American Civil War)|Union side]] of the [[American Civil War]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/when-jennie-came-marching-home-an-irishwoman-s-diary-on-albert-cashier-and-the-us-civil-war-1.3456012|title=When Jennie came marching home – an Irishwoman's Diary on Albert Cashier and the US civil war|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] }}</ref>


===Writers and patriots===
===Writers and patriots===
Ireland and Dublin in particular have always been regarded as the home of some of the greatest gay and lesbian writers in the English speaking world, some of whom are [[Oscar Wilde]], Eva Selina Gore-Booth, [[Elizabeth Bowen]], [[Kate O'Brien (novelist)|Kate O'Brien]], [[Ladies of Llangollen]], [[Somerville and Ross]] and [[Mary Dorcey]]
Ireland and Dublin, in particular, have always been regarded as the home of some of the greatest gay and lesbian writers in the English speaking world, some of whom are [[Oscar Wilde]], [[Eva Gore-Booth|Eva Selina Gore-Booth]], [[Elizabeth Bowen]], [[Kate O'Brien (novelist)|Kate O'Brien]], [[Ladies of Llangollen]], [[Somerville and Ross]] and [[Mary Dorcey]]


===Legal situation===
===Legal situation===


{{see also|Timeline of LGBT history in the United Kingdom}}
{{see also|Timeline of LGBT history in the United Kingdom}}
Prior to formal [[Anglo-Irish Treaty|Irish independence in 1922]], sexuality in Ireland was governed by the UK-wide laws emitted from the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] such as the [[Offences Against the Person Act 1861]]. These laws were automatically inherited by the new [[Irish Free State]]. The most notable legal event related to Irish natives was the [[Oscar_Wilde#Trials|trial and imprisonment of Oscar Wilde]]. Some leaders of the Irish Independence struggle of the early 20th century were assumed - at the time or later - to be gay, notably [[Padraig Pearse]] and [[Roger Casement]] whose sexuality was an element in his trial and execution.
Prior to formal [[Anglo-Irish Treaty|Irish independence in 1922]], sexuality in Ireland was governed by the UK-wide laws emitted from the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] such as the [[Offences Against the Person Act 1861]]. These laws were automatically inherited by the new [[Irish Free State]]. The most notable legal event related to Irish natives was the [[Oscar Wilde#Trials|trial and imprisonment of Oscar Wilde]]. Some leaders of the Irish Independence struggle of the early 20th century were assumed - at the time or later - to be gay, notably [[Padraig Pearse]] and [[Roger Casement]] whose sexuality was an element in his trial and execution.


==Post-independence==
==Post-independence==
After independence, Ireland became a very insular society{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}}, dominated by the Catholic Church and was conservative, however in the midst of this, there was an acceptance of homosexuality of those within the acting profession such as [[Micheál MacLiammóir]]. It was widely accepted that Micheál MacLiammóir was gay, and that his longtime life partner was [[Hilton Edwards]]. MacLíammóir would even appear on Irish [[Television|TV]] in the 1950s and 1960s performing in drag. It is because of this that Irish people were never really surprised to see men dressing up as women on TV and even today, one of Dublin's drag queens, [[Shirley Temple Bar]], presents bingo on prime-time national TV. MacLíammóir claimed when talking to Irish playwright [[Mary Manning (writer)|Mary Manning]] to have had a homosexual relationship with [[General Eoin O'Duffy]], former [[Garda Síochána]] commissioner and head of the quasi-fascist Blueshirts in Ireland, during the 1930s. The claim was revealed publicly by [[RTÉ]] in a documentary, ''The Odd Couple'', broadcast in 1999. However, MacLíammóir's claims have not been substantiated by any evidence.
After independence, Ireland became a very insular society, dominated by the Catholic Church and was conservative,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Church's loss of authority started in 1950s, says academic |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/church-s-loss-of-authority-started-in-1950s-says-academic-1.1153793 |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref> however in the midst of this, there was an acceptance of homosexuality of those within the acting profession such as [[Micheál MacLiammóir]]. It was widely accepted that Micheál MacLiammóir was gay and that his longtime life partner was [[Hilton Edwards]]. MacLíammóir would even appear on Irish [[Television|TV]] in the 1950s and 1960s performing in drag. It is because of this that Irish people were never really surprised to see men dressing up as women on TV and even today, one of Dublin's drag queens, [[Shirley Temple Bar]], presents bingo on prime-time national TV.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-10-15 |title=Drag culture in Ireland |url=http://trinitynews.ie/2017/10/drag-culture-in-ireland/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=Trinity News |language=en-US}}</ref> MacLíammóir when talking to Irish playwright [[Mary Manning (writer)|Mary Manning]] to have had a homosexual relationship with [[General Eoin O'Duffy]], former [[Garda Síochána]] commissioner and head of the quasi-fascist [[Blueshirts]] in Ireland, during the 1930s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rough Justice - Frank McNally on the unlikely romance between Eoin O’Duffy and Micheal MacLiammóir |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/an-irish-diary/2022/08/10/rough-justice-frank-mcnally-on-the-unlikely-romance-between-eoin-oduffy-and-micheal-macliammoir/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref> The claim was revealed publicly by [[RTÉ]] in a documentary, ''The Odd Couple'', broadcast in 1999. However, MacLíammóir's claims have not been substantiated by any evidence.


===Economic development and civil unions===
===Economic development and civil unions===
{{Main article|LGBT rights in the Republic of Ireland}}
{{Main article|LGBT rights in the Republic of Ireland}}
In the 1970s, the [[Campaign for Homosexual Law Reform]] was led by [[David Norris (politician)|David Norris]], who campaigned for then-current criminalizations of homosexuality (namely those in force from 1861 and 1885) to be dismantled. In 1980, the case was taken before the Supreme Court of Ireland; losing the case, Norris took the case to the European Court of Human Rights, which ruled in 1988 against the Irish government. The laws were finally reformed in 1993<ref name="History">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-25927595 |title=Where is it illegal to be gay? |accessdate=11 February 2014 |work=BBC News}}</ref> by then-Minister for Justice [[Máire Geoghegan-Quinn]].
In the 1970s, the [[Campaign for Homosexual Law Reform]] was led by [[David Norris (politician)|David Norris]], who campaigned for then-current criminalization of homosexuality (namely those in force from 1861 and 1885) to be dismantled. In 1980, the case was taken before the Supreme Court of Ireland; losing the case, Norris took the case to the European Court of Human Rights, which ruled in 1988 against the Irish government. The laws were finally reformed in 1993<ref name="History">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-25927595 |title=Where is it illegal to be gay? |accessdate=11 February 2014 |work=BBC News|date=10 February 2014 }}</ref> by then-Minister for Justice [[Máire Geoghegan-Quinn]].


With the emergence of the [[Celtic Tiger]] economy from 1995 onwards, Ireland underwent a massive transformation both economically and socially. The individual wealth of the average Irish citizen quadrupled in the space of 15 years along with [[European Union|EU]] membership helped to liberalise and make this once conservative and religious society into one that is more open and pro-gay rights with a raft of pro-gay legislation.{{citation needed|date=March 2012}} 73% of the Irish population support full gay marriage being extended to same-sex couples while 53% support the idea of same-sex adoption.{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}}
With the emergence of the [[Celtic Tiger]] economy from 1995 onwards, Ireland underwent a massive transformation both economically and socially. The individual wealth of the average Irish citizen quadrupled in the space of 15 years along with [[European Union|EU]] membership helped to liberalise and make this once conservative and religious society into one that is more open and pro-gay rights with a raft of pro-gay legislation.{{citation needed|date=March 2012}} 73% of the Irish population support full gay marriage being extended to same-sex couples while 53% support the idea of same-sex adoption.{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}}


In 2011, civil partnership legislation was passed by the Dáil and Seanad, and was enacted into law. Also, in 2011, [[Dominic Hannigan]] and [[John Lyons (Dublin politician)|John Lyons]], both of the Labour Party, became the first openly gay [[Teachta Dála|TDs]] to be elected to the [[Dáil Éireann|Dail]], and [[Katherine Zappone]] became the first openly lesbian senator.
In 2011, civil partnership legislation was passed by the Dáil and Seanad and was enacted into law. Also, in 2011, [[Dominic Hannigan]] and [[John Lyons (Dublin politician)|John Lyons]], both of the Labour Party, became the first openly gay [[Teachta Dála|TDs]] to be elected to the [[Dáil Éireann|Dail]], and [[Katherine Zappone]] became the first openly lesbian senator.


In 2015, Ireland became the first country in the world to legalise gay marriage through referendum, with yes winning by over 62% of the vote. In a total over two million adults voted, and it was found that many younger adults participated in this vote to bring Ireland into a new era.
In 2015, Ireland became the first country in the world to legalise gay marriage through a referendum, with yes winning by over 62% of the vote. In a total over two million adults voted, and it was found that many younger adults participated in this vote to bring Ireland into a new era.


In 2017, [[Leo Varadkar]] was elected [[Taoiseach]] (Prime Minister), making him the youngest and first openly gay leader of Ireland.
In 2017, [[Leo Varadkar]] was elected [[Taoiseach]] (Prime Minister), making him the youngest and first openly gay leader of Ireland.
<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/14/leo-varadkar-formally-elected-as-prime-minister-of-ireland</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/14/leo-varadkar-formally-elected-as-prime-minister-of-ireland|title = Ireland's first gay prime minister Leo Varadkar formally elected| website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |date = 14 June 2017}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|LGBT}}
{{Portal|LGBTQ}}
*[[LGBT history]]
*[[LGBT history]]
* [[Campaign for Homosexual Law Reform]]
* [[Campaign for Homosexual Law Reform]]
Line 41: Line 43:
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

{{LGBT history}}
{{LGBT in Ireland}}
{{LGBT in Ireland}}
{{Europe topic|LGBT history in}}
{{Europe topic|LGBT history in}}


[[Category:LGBT history in Ireland| ]]
[[Category:LGBTQ history in Ireland| ]]

Latest revision as of 13:07, 6 December 2024

The history of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Ireland.

Pre-20th century

[edit]

The first recorded trans individual in Dublin was a 19th-century trans man Patrick McCormack, who lived from 1821 to 1871. McCormack was a famine survivor and worked as a labourer, while living in Castleknock.[1] Another 19th-century trans man was Albert Cashier (born Jennie Hodgers, 1843–1915) from County Louth, who fought on the Union side of the American Civil War.[2]

Writers and patriots

[edit]

Ireland and Dublin, in particular, have always been regarded as the home of some of the greatest gay and lesbian writers in the English speaking world, some of whom are Oscar Wilde, Eva Selina Gore-Booth, Elizabeth Bowen, Kate O'Brien, Ladies of Llangollen, Somerville and Ross and Mary Dorcey

[edit]
See also: Timeline of LGBT history in the United Kingdom

Prior to formal Irish independence in 1922, sexuality in Ireland was governed by the UK-wide laws emitted from the Parliament of the United Kingdom such as the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. These laws were automatically inherited by the new Irish Free State. The most notable legal event related to Irish natives was the trial and imprisonment of Oscar Wilde. Some leaders of the Irish Independence struggle of the early 20th century were assumed - at the time or later - to be gay, notably Padraig Pearse and Roger Casement whose sexuality was an element in his trial and execution.

Post-independence

[edit]

After independence, Ireland became a very insular society, dominated by the Catholic Church and was conservative,[3] however in the midst of this, there was an acceptance of homosexuality of those within the acting profession such as Micheál MacLiammóir. It was widely accepted that Micheál MacLiammóir was gay and that his longtime life partner was Hilton Edwards. MacLíammóir would even appear on Irish TV in the 1950s and 1960s performing in drag. It is because of this that Irish people were never really surprised to see men dressing up as women on TV and even today, one of Dublin's drag queens, Shirley Temple Bar, presents bingo on prime-time national TV.[4] MacLíammóir when talking to Irish playwright Mary Manning to have had a homosexual relationship with General Eoin O'Duffy, former Garda Síochána commissioner and head of the quasi-fascist Blueshirts in Ireland, during the 1930s.[5] The claim was revealed publicly by RTÉ in a documentary, The Odd Couple, broadcast in 1999. However, MacLíammóir's claims have not been substantiated by any evidence.

Economic development and civil unions

[edit]
Main article: LGBT rights in the Republic of Ireland

In the 1970s, the Campaign for Homosexual Law Reform was led by David Norris, who campaigned for then-current criminalization of homosexuality (namely those in force from 1861 and 1885) to be dismantled. In 1980, the case was taken before the Supreme Court of Ireland; losing the case, Norris took the case to the European Court of Human Rights, which ruled in 1988 against the Irish government. The laws were finally reformed in 1993[6] by then-Minister for Justice Máire Geoghegan-Quinn.

With the emergence of the Celtic Tiger economy from 1995 onwards, Ireland underwent a massive transformation both economically and socially. The individual wealth of the average Irish citizen quadrupled in the space of 15 years along with EU membership helped to liberalise and make this once conservative and religious society into one that is more open and pro-gay rights with a raft of pro-gay legislation.[citation needed] 73% of the Irish population support full gay marriage being extended to same-sex couples while 53% support the idea of same-sex adoption.[citation needed]

In 2011, civil partnership legislation was passed by the Dáil and Seanad and was enacted into law. Also, in 2011, Dominic Hannigan and John Lyons, both of the Labour Party, became the first openly gay TDs to be elected to the Dail, and Katherine Zappone became the first openly lesbian senator.

In 2015, Ireland became the first country in the world to legalise gay marriage through a referendum, with yes winning by over 62% of the vote. In a total over two million adults voted, and it was found that many younger adults participated in this vote to bring Ireland into a new era.

In 2017, Leo Varadkar was elected Taoiseach (Prime Minister), making him the youngest and first openly gay leader of Ireland. [7]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Dublin's first recorded transgender person? • Irish history podcast". 9 May 2018.
  2. ^ "When Jennie came marching home – an Irishwoman's Diary on Albert Cashier and the US civil war". The Irish Times.
  3. ^ "Church's loss of authority started in 1950s, says academic". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Drag culture in Ireland". Trinity News. 15 October 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Rough Justice - Frank McNally on the unlikely romance between Eoin O'Duffy and Micheal MacLiammóir". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  6. ^ "Where is it illegal to be gay?". BBC News. 10 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  7. ^ "Ireland's first gay prime minister Leo Varadkar formally elected". TheGuardian.com. 14 June 2017.
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