From pushback to progress, 2025 was a monumental year for the LGBTQ+ community around the world, and Ireland’s news cycle was certainly no exception.
As we approach the new year – and bid a fond adieu to 2025 – we’re taking a moment to reflect on some of the biggest LGBTQ+ news stories and milestones that shaped our queer community.
1) Ireland joins South Africa’s genocide case against Israel
On January 7, Ireland joined South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, alongside Nicaragua, Colombia, Mexico, Libya, Bolivia, Turkey, the Maldives, Chile, Spain, and the State of Palestine. The case was first filed by South Africa in December 2023, accusing Israel of committing genocide during its ongoing military offensive in Gaza. South Africa accused Israel of “killing Palestinians in Gaza, causing them serious bodily and mental harm, and inflicting on them conditions of life calculated to bring about their physical destruction.”
2) Bernárd Lynch is awarded the Freedom of the City of London
The renowned Irish HIV/AIDS activist and former priest, Bernárd Lynch, has received the freedom of the City of London | Read more: https://t.co/1L3jxC829h pic.twitter.com/C5SCmW7mfn
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) January 17, 2025
In recognition of his work in LGBTQ+ and HIV advocacy, Irish activist and former priest Bernárd Lynch was awarded the Freedom of the City of London on January 17. Accepting the accolade, Lynch said: “My work hasn’t always been the most popular, working with people with HIV/AIDS, and of course, one doesn’t do good in order to be popular… I represent not only myself but all those who worked in that field.”
3) Irish Gay Rights Movement co-founder Clem Clancy passes away
On February 6, Clem Clancy, one of the co-founders of the Irish Gay Rights Movement, passed away following a short illness with prostate cancer. In addition to the role he played in the IGRM, Clancy was active in Dublin’s kink and leather scene.
4) School that dismissed Enoch Burke wins award for LGBTQ+ inclusivity
Wilson’s Hospital Secondary School in Co. Westmeath was among the 44 schools and Youthreach centres across Ireland to be recognised by Belong To for their work on LGBTQ+ inclusion and wellbeing in March 2025. The school had made headlines previously over its ongoing legal row with Enoch Burke.
5) Belfast Pride bans political parties from Northern Irish Executive from marching in parade
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On March 25, Belfast Pride announced that the political parties that make up the Northern Irish Executive would be prohibited from marching in this year’s parade. The ban was in response to the parties’ support of an indefinite ban on puberty blockers for under-18s.
6) 14 members of Mothers Against Genocide arrested during Dáil protest
In late March, 14 members of the activist group Mothers Against Genocide were arrested during a protest outside Dáil Éireann. The group had set up a vigil to mark Mother’s Day and to remember the children and mothers of Gaza.
7) Irish community responds to UK Supreme Court’s ruling on the definition of woman
After the UK Supreme Court’s ruling that a woman is defined by biological sex in April, a number of organisations and activists from Ireland shared messages of solidarity with the trans community in the UK and demanded action from the government to safeguard trans rights in Ireland.
8) Cork LGBTQ+ activist and social justice champion Siobhán O’Dowd passes away
On May 17, Cork-based activist Siobhán O’Dowd passed away peacefully at home following a brief illness. O’Dowd dedicated over 30 years of her life to activism and social justice and was a founding member of several key organisations, including the LINC resource centre for women in Cork (now rebranded as LINQ Ireland), the AIDS Alliance (now the Sexual Health Centre), and the Cork LGBTI+ Interagency Group.
9) New report finds intersex people in Ireland suffer “poor mental health”
A report published by Trinity College Dublin, in partnership with Belong To and Intersex Ireland, revealed a deeply concerning mental health crisis among intersex people living in Ireland. Board Member at Intersex Ireland, Dr Adeline Berry, commented on the research, saying: “This report could not be timelier as anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric spreads seemingly unchecked with the rise of fascism, foretelling troubling times ahead for our communities.”
10) Dyke March reclaims the streets of Dublin with powerful community protest
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On Friday, June 27, queer women from all around Dublin descended on Dublin for a Dyke March. During the march, LGBTQ+ women highlighted a number of issues, including the housing crisis, escalating hate targeting trans and non-binary people and the genocide in Gaza.
11) Thousands march through Dublin for the largest Trans and Intersex Pride to date
10,000 people gathered in Dublin on July 12 for what would become a record-breaking Trans and Intersex Pride. The march, which stretched from City Hall to Leinster House, was equal parts protest and celebration, bursting with energy, music, and colour.
12) Ireland marks 10 years since the passing of the Gender Recognition Act
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Another major LGBTQ+ news and milestone we saw in 2025 was the 10th anniversary of the passing of the Gender Recognition Act on July 15. The law gave trans people the opportunity to change their gender legally.
13) Far-right festival cancelled following letter signed by over 500 artists
A far-right festival that was set to take place in Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim, was cancelled following widespread backlash. Over 500 artists signed a letter calling for the event, which had plans to platform anti-immigration speakers, to be cancelled.
14) Dublin Pride Run 2025 raises over €76,000 for Irish LGBTQ+ charities
The Dublin Pride Run, which took place in June, raised a record-breaking €76,000 for a number of Irish LGBTQ+ organisations: GCN, LGBT Ireland and TENI.
15) New SPHE curriculum for primary schools will include sexual orientation and consent
A new primary school curriculum was unveiled in September, marking the first major reform in 26 years. The updated programme, which will be rolled out from next year, will introduce children to a broader and more modern range of subjects, including lessons on sexual orientation, earlier teaching of puberty, and the addition of modern foreign languages.
16) Israel seizes Gaza Aid Flotilla vessels and detains hundreds of activists, including a number of Irish citizens
In October, Israeli forces intercepted 39 boats sailing as part of the flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. Israeli forces detained a number of activists and 16 Irish citizens. They were subsequently released.
17) Tributes from Irish queer community pour in following death of DJ Alfred Alphonso
Tonie Walsh and Buzz O’Neill were among those in the Irish queer community leading tributes to DJ Alfred Alphonso, who passed away in October. Originally from Hong Kong, Alfred worked as a barman and a DJ in the city’s LGBTQ+ venues.
18) New bill to decriminalise sex work in Ireland launched
Red Umbrella Éireann, Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) and the Street Workers Collective co-created a new bill in October that would fully decriminalise sex work in Ireland. The bill was launched by TD Ruth Coppinger, who will bring it to the Dáil.
19) Catherine Connolly becomes 10th president of Ireland
Independent candidate Catherine Connolly is inaugurated as the 10th president of Ireland on November 12. The former Galway TD’s campaign received the backing of Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and Sinn Féin, and was seen as a victory for the left in Ireland.
So, there you have it, 19 of the biggest LGBTQ+ home-grown news stories that shaped our 2025. As we head into the new year, you can count on GCN to have our finger on the pulse as we deliver the LGBTQ+ stories you need to hear.
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