Dear GCN Readers, the April issue of our magazine was due to arrive into the world today – our second annual ‘Global’ issue. GCN could not have known when planning how oddly prescient that theme would feel in light of the worldwide Coronavirus pandemic. 

We have taken the decision to pause on the publishing cycle of the print edition of GCN for the moment as all of Ireland and the world bands together to fight the virus and flatten the curve of infection in order to save the most lives. 

GCN do not take this decision lightly, but we feel that it would be fiscally and socially irresponsible to go ahead with a print product when our readers are being asked to self-isolate during the Coronavirus pandemic, our main distribution hubs are closed, and many of our clients are facing uncertainty in their respective markets. In its 31-year history, GCN has only had one other instance of having to halt its print cycle – in 1989 in the wake of the Hirschfeld Centre fire. We will resume the print edition as quickly as it’s safe to do so. 

The brilliant team at GCN are currently managing the website and creating daily content remotely for the safety of our team and will continue working with all our community stakeholders in these challenging weeks to ensure that we can offer a voice for the community, about the community and by the community. Our daily website, social media channels and online presence is busier than ever and will be our continued focus in the coming weeks. 

We would like to assure you that we remain committed to bringing LGBT+ news and information to you all, now more than ever. As a registered charity with a not-for-profit business model, it is integral that we continue as much of our work as we can and we’ll be working with clients on a raft of digital solutions for their businesses on GCN.ie. 

With the temporary halt of one of our main fundraising income streams, Mother, we’ll need the communities support now more than ever. On a personal level, please consider supporting GCN from as little as €1.99 per month and if you are a current client or prospective client, please get in touch about how we might work together in the coming months.

We are also working on new initiatives to help bring our community together while we stay apart. 

To all of our LGBT+ organisations, groups and community services around the country, to all of those in frontline services and first responders, to all the staff keeping shelves stocked and all those looking out for their families and neighbours in these trying times, and to all of you, dear readers, we stand with you and will work with you to get our LGBT+ family and country through this as safely as possible. We plan to keep you all empowered, educated and uplifted during this difficult time. GCN remains your national LGBT+ press. 

Team GCN