In its new series, Generations of Joy: Celebrating LGBTQ+ Icons and Queer Futures, SpunOut is platforming powerful stories and interviews that celebrate the history, progress and resilience of generations of Irish LGBTQ+ communities.

The first part of the video campaign includes a conversation between David Gough, the country’s first and only openly gay GAA referee and Cian Griffin, a member of Na Gaeil Aeracha and the mind behind the Gaylgeoiri social media account.

During the three-part series, David talks about his coming out journey and how he’s paved the way for GAA to become more inclusive. David describes his path toward self-acceptance, sharing: “That’s why you join GAA clubs, is to belong, and I didn’t come out for so long because I wanted to continue to belong. I didn’t realise I could be gay and involved in sport.”

In 2015, the GAA refused to let Gough wear a rainbow wristband during a league match at Croke Park. In the years since, the sport has made great strides toward LGBTQ+ inclusion by marching in Dublin’s Pride parade and employing a full-time diversity and inclusion officer. Gough’s activism largely influenced these changes.

When discussing future LGBTQ+ GAA players, David Gough said: “No one really chooses to be a role model, but as queer people, you’re a role model to everyone else in the community, whether older or younger”.

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The SpunOut series centres around the idea that LGBTQ+ people all play a role in showing what joyful queer futures can look like. Perhaps most importantly, Generations of Joy focuses on the vibrant and joyful queer futures that lie ahead.

SpunOut’s Director, Kiki Martire, said: “It is truly heartwarming to watch younger generations of LGBTQ+ people in conversation with some of the queer Irish icons who paved the way for all of us today. We can’t stress enough how important it is to capture and platform joyful queer futures and paint a picture of what is possible for all people striving to live as their most authentic and loving selves.”

Upcoming instalments in the series will highlight the journeys of Irish LGBTQ+ trailblazers Sara R. Philips, Jacob Donegan, Nuala Ward and Sarah Murray. Sara R. Phillips is a trans activist who was the chair of TENI for over 10 years, and Jacob Donegan is a Meath-based content creator who shares his experiences as a trans man in Ireland with his 1 million TikTok followers. They will both be interviewed in the second series of videos.

The third part of the series features conversations with Galway-based activists Nuala Ward, one of the founding members of Galway Pride, and Sarah Murray, a neurodivergent queer content creator from Galway who focuses on the intersections between disability and the LGBTQ+ community.

This Pride, we are celebrating Generations of Joy in our LGBTQ+ communities. We chatted to Irish LGBTQ+ icons like @goughd4 , Ireland’s first and only openly gay GAA referee, on how they paved the way and how far they’ve come. @Gaylgeoiri #GenerationsOfJoy #pride #pride2023 pic.twitter.com/Ndblpdkolu

— spunout.ie (@SpunOut) June 23, 2023

In addition to the current campaign, SpunOut offers resources about the history of Pride in Ireland, sexual identity, gender identity, and trans and non-binary experiences. The organisation also offers education and guidance for young LGBTQ+ people as well as information for allies who want to better support their queer family and friends.

David and Cian’s conversation has been released in a three-part series on SpunOut’s TikTok and Instagram. The next part of the campaign will be released over the next few weeks.