Gaelic Games Celebrates the LBGTQIA+ Community with Pride

Members of the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association came together on June 27^th in The Croke Park Hotel for the annual Pride Breakfast Morning to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and the importance of visibility across Gaelic Games, ahead of joining thousands of people in marching in the Dublin Pride Parade.

Gaelic Games has been represented at Dublin Pride since 2019, with the 4^th annual breakfast providing an opportunity for members from across the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association to come together, be themselves and enjoy being part of a community that celebrates who they are. The morning offers a chance to hear from people who are able to share their stories and experiences openly and authentically, creating moments of recognition and connection for those in the room. It is about seeing something of yourself in someone else’s story, celebrating how far we have come and, hopefully, heading out onto the streets of Dublin for the Pride Parade feeling a little bit taller, prouder and more confident in who you are.

Among those attending were members of Na Gaeil Aeracha, the first LGBTQIA+ Gaelic Games club, based in Dublin. The club is part of a growing network of LGBTQIA+ Gaelic Games clubs across Ireland, alongside Aeracha Uladh in Belfast and Na Laochra Aeracha in Cork. These clubs provide an important space for people to connect through Gaelic Games, build community and participate in an environment where they can be themselves.

The panel discussion began with opening remarks by Uachtarán an Chumainn Camógaíochta, Brian Molloy. Brian acknowledged that while society has changed significantly, many people have experienced challenges and difficulties that others may never fully understand. He also highlighted the importance of visibility and the impact that those who are confident in being themselves can have on young people who may be struggling with their own identity. “Never lose sight of the influence that you are having by being so visible, by being so confident in yourselves,” he told attendees, highlighting the reassurance that visibility can provide to young people across the country.

Jenn Treacy, Chairperson of Scotland GAA and a member of the National Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Working Group facilitated the panel discussion with former Wexford Camogie player, Mags D’Arcy, Aghyaran footballer Kevin Penrose, and former Dublin footballers Nicole Owens and Lindsay Peat. A central theme of the discussion was the progress that has been made, while recognising that there is still work to do. The group shared their experiences of Gaelic Games, identity, belonging and the importance of creating spaces where people can be their authentic selves.

The panel explored how Gaelic Games can continue to create environments where people feel comfortable being themselves. For Mags D’Arcy, the club has a particularly important role to play in driving cultural change. She spoke about her experience of the one-club model in St Martin’s GAA club in Wexford and how creating an environment where people from all different backgrounds and walks of life can be themselves can help drive change from the ground up.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of everyday language and behaviours in creating inclusive environments. Kevin Penrose reflected on his experience returning to his club after coming out and finding it to now be one of his safest spaces. He also spoke candidly about the importance of challenging homophobic language when it occurs, emphasising that creating an inclusive environment cannot stop within the dressing room, everyone has a role in calling it out and ensuring that it isn’t tolerated.

The panel discussed how small changes can make a significant difference, from using inclusive language such as “partners” rather than making assumptions about someone’s relationships, to creating an environment where people feel comfortable enough to have conversations and ask questions. Allyship was another important theme, with the panel highlighting that being an ally is not simply about making a statement, but about showing up, having conversations and being prepared to challenge behaviour that excludes others.

Nicole Owens reflected on the progress she has seen within the women’s game, while highlighting the need for greater visibility and continued work within the men’s game and men’s sport in general. The panel recognised that visibility can be particularly challenging for male players and that creating safer spaces is essential if people are to feel able to be themselves.

Looking to the future, Lindsay Peat spoke about her hope that inclusion will become so embedded within Gaelic Games that dedicated conversations about creating belonging for different communities will eventually become less necessary. She also emphasised the importance of ensuring that members of the LGBTQIA+ community feel that their own club is a place where they belong, while recognising the valuable role that dedicated LGBTQIA+ clubs can play in providing community and connection.

The discussion concluded with a call for everyone to consider the role they can play as an ally and to have the conversations that can help make Gaelic Games more welcoming for everyone.

Following the breakfast, members of the Gaelic Games family gathered outside Croke Park before making their way to join the Dublin Pride Parade, carrying pride flags with the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association logos and celebrating together as one community. The day was both a celebration of progress and a reminder of the responsibility shared by everyone across Gaelic Games to continue building an environment where people feel safe, welcomed, respected and valued.

While Pride provides an important opportunity to celebrate LGBTQIA+ inclusion and visibility, the message from the morning was clear:

Belonging is not just for Pride. It is something that should be reflected in our clubs, our teams and our communities throughout the year.