After leading LGBT Ireland for 14 years, Paula Fagan stepped down as CEO earlier this year. In July 2025, the organisation welcomed a new CEO. Anne Byrne took the reins of one of Ireland’s largest LGBTQ+ organisations and told GCN all about what led her to this moment and what she envisions for the future.

Reflecting on her past roles, Anne recalled working in industrial relations and then in management consulting. Her first job in the not-for-profit sector was at the Irish Cancer Society, where she became Director of People, Strategy and Innovation.

“It’s not been a linear career, but it’s been great. I’ve learned so much in all of my past roles,” she said. “I don’t know that I’ve made intentional moves, but when I look back at it, it all kind of does make sense. And maybe it was leading to this moment. The common thread for me is that all of my work has been really people-centred.”

Anne described herself as “an introvert who really loves people and I think that’s been the story in my career.”

Elaborating further on what her journey looked like before joining LGBT Ireland, she shared: “I’m so hesitant to talk about anything that I’ve done as activism, and I think the reason why is that I have such deep admiration for what I would consider to be real activists. The likes of Ailbhe Smyth, or Jenny Maguire, or Paula.

“So I aspire to activism rather than necessarily claiming it. And I think it’s because I know that there are big shoes to fill.”

Recalling her steps into advocating for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland, Anne spoke about canvassing ahead of the Marriage Equality Referendum in 2015. She said that was the first time she felt like “part of that collective action, seeing what the LGBTQ+ movement and the wider human rights movement could do, the impact it could make.”

Now Anne is taking her skills, her past experiences and that deep admiration to her role as CEO of LGBT Ireland. “The organisation, what it has done, the role it currently plays, and what it can be… I think it is really, really important in Ireland,” she said. “I’m really appreciative of the work that Paula has done, that the team has done, the organisation that’s been built. LGBT Ireland, thanks in a huge part to the work of Paula, is a respected, very collaborative organisation that’s really there for people.”

“It’s a real privilege to be entrusted with it, entrusted to lead LGBT Ireland into this next chapter,” she shared. “I don’t think teenage me or even 20-something-year-old me would’ve ever thought that I’d be here, in a role like this, leading an organisation like this and doing so really proudly, unquestionably proudly.

“So, yeah, it’s a real privilege and it’s also a nice moment of personal reflection for how far I’ve come.”

Speaking about the fundamental work LGBT Ireland does for the community in the country, she said: “We’re first and foremost a support organisation and we’re there for the LGBTQ+ community and LGBTQ+ people across the country.

“I know what a difference the work makes. In particular the helpline, where I volunteered. What it means to people to have somebody at the end of the phone who’s there for them, unquestioningly.

“I really want to make sure that we grow that service, that we are there for everyone in need, and that everyone knows that we’re there. Everyone knows that supports are available, either through the helpline, through peer support, or through any of the other organisations that are around the country.

“In LGBT Ireland, we’ve always had a very strong focus on intersectionality and on particularly supporting more marginalised groups,” Anne added. “So supporting LGBTQ+ Travellers and Roma people, supporting our rainbow refugees as well, is really integral to our work and will continue to be the future for LGBT Ireland.”

“And as well, older LGBTQ+ people, that’s a group that sometimes isn’t as visible. I really wanna make sure that we’re there for them and that we’re changing policy and we’re equipping healthcare workers with the skills that they need to support older people.

“From the policy side, we have a new national inclusion strategy. We really need to see that implemented, to know that there are commitments that have been made by the government,” she said. “And LGBT Ireland as an organisation can be that watchdog to make sure that those commitments are upheld and the policy and legislative progress that’s promised is delivered.”

The new CEO of LGBT Ireland also spoke about two main challenges that the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland is currently facing. “One is in relation to rising hate and the far right, but also the way that that rhetoric and that action is seeping into life. I see LGBT Ireland and our role is, with other civil society organisations, trying to work together and combat that.”

The second big issue she mentioned is trans healthcare in the country. “It’s non-existent, at the moment. As an LGBTQ+ organisation, that’s one of our top priorities. It’s doing all that we can to try to change that and try to bring about proper, compassionate, person-centred trans healthcare for Ireland.”

Speaking about her commitment to ensuring LGBT Ireland thrives as an organisation, she said: “We fit within a wider network of LGBTQ+ community organisations all around the country. Success for me, for LGBT Ireland, is also seeing more of those, seeing more investment in national or local and regional community services for LGBTQ+ people, seeing more places open, more resources.”

Anne reflected on the past few months and what her work as CEO of LGBT Ireland has been like. “I was really pleasantly surprised by how welcoming all the other LGBTQ+ organisations have been to me. I really do feel like I have the support of a community,” she said. “People want me to succeed because they want LGBT Ireland to succeed. Because we’re all trying to do the same thing.”

Beyond her work inside the organisation, there are a few things that make Anne’s life even more fulfilling. One is the little garden she takes care of at her home, another is cooking for other people. “I love theatre. You know, the Fringe festival or that kind of mad experimental queer theatre,” she added.

She mentioned being an aunt and absolutely loving the role. “Myself and my wife don’t make kids, but I adore being an aunt,” she shared. “My friends’ kids to me are my niece and nephews as well. I’ve got loads of them in my life and they bring me such joy.

“And as sappy as it sounds, my wife Kate brings me joy. I just love hanging out with her. She’s great.”