18th April 2001

Stephen Gately to record with Eminem

Stephen Gatley has revealed that he'd "love to do something with EMINEM or MARILYN MANSON" - adding that it doesn't matter if EMINEM is homophobic.

"I don't know if he is homophobic or not," Stephen explained "If he is, that's just his mentality and I don't hold a grudge against that. A lot of people would disagree. I think he's hyped up a lot and he's probably very quiet. A bit like Marilyn Manson. I don't think he's quite as mad offstage."

New night for Belfast Club

 White's Tavern in Belfast have launched a new gay night club for Friday nights called "Oz". This is in addition to their other gay night  'Slosh' on Wednesdays. The new club kicks off at 9.30 with Regal MC

New support group

A new information and support group  for gays, lesbians and bisexuals who are disabled has started recently. The group's next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 23rd May, 7pm-9pm. Information re venue etc may be had by phoning 01-878 6077.  E-mail: inforum@indigo.ie

Anna's Return

Ireland's most famous lesbian nun 'Anna Nolan'  is to host another new show for BBC1. The show titled 'Closure' will be something along the lines of 'The Jerry Springer show' where Nolan will invite guests on the program to get hot and heavy secrets off their chest.

9th April 2001

George Celebrates '3rd' birthday

Dublin's biggest gay club, 'The George' celebrates its 3rd birthday tonight (Monday 9th April) there will be free admission all night - entertainment is provided by 'Jocelyn Browne', who also helped the George celebrate their 2nd birthday last year.

Click here for more info on the George

Foyled again

Foyle Friend have completed the signing of a lease for a new building for the LGBT Community Resource Centre in Derry/Londonderry/Doire. The building at 32 Great James Street will be the new home for the LGBT community. The CRC will offer a range of services including a coffee bar, women's space, pool table, social space, self help groups, training, education, listening ear service and library to name but a few but most of all the CRC will make the LGBT community more visible. Foyle Friend are currently looking for volunteers to offer their practical help so if you think you can contribute in anyway be it by donating a plant, a painting, a photograph , painting, hoovering, cleaning or making the coffee then contact Sean or Niall at Foyle Friend on 028 71263120

New Space in Waterford

New Waterford LGBT Community Space Prism - Waterford's LGBT Community Space Opening weekly from Saturday April 28th 2-5pm Luke Wadding House, Lady Lane, Waterford (above Waterford Montessori School) Pop in for a coffee, the latest GCN, a chat, video screenings, check out our expanding library of books, magazines & information booklets, etc.… Can you help the group out in equipping the space? The group welcome any books, videos etc. and are also currently seeking: Fridge, Stereo… Contact Sean at the centre for more information

Gloria Concert

The next GLORIA concert (Gay & Lesbian Choir) is at Trinity College Chapel on Friday April 20th. It starts at 7.30. Tickets are £5.00: available at the door or from a choir member beforehand. If you haven't heard them sing yet it's still "Madrigals to Musicals, Classical to Camp" along with a preview of the songs that they are singing at the Navan Choral Festival competition in May.

Click here for our online Interview with Gloria

7th April 2001

Man convicted of Male Rape in Dublin

 An Algerian man (aged 40) has been found guilty of raping a French man in a flat on Dublin's North Circular Road, back in 1998. The man who goes under three different names was convicted by the jury
on five charges of buggery, aggravated sexual assault, assault causing harm and producing a weapon. The jury heard the two men met at a nightclub in Dublin's Temple Bar Music Centre and conversed in French. The defendant invited his victim
back to his flat where they listened to music for an hour. The sexual assaults took place when the victim began to sleep.

New gay B&B to open in Galway

The Rainbow House is the newest addition to the Galway Scene, Opening on May 1st by John Curlett, there are 5 rooms available, three of which are en suite. The B&B is only 5 minutes away from the pubs and clubs of the city. The mailing address of the new venue is 5A Grattan Terrace, Galway.
For More Information on Galway click Here

Huge increase in visitors to Gay-Ireland

March saw an extra 6,500 visitors to Gay-Ireland.com. This brings our visitor rate from 23,000 a month to 29,500 a month, We expect to break the 30,000 mark this month when we start to roll out a host of new features to the site. 

Irish news coverage on Gay Marriage

 Both the Irish Independent and Irish Examiner covered a story on 'Gay Marriage' earlier this month the article coincided with the legalisation of same-sex Marriage in Holland.
"TWO lesbian brides and six gay grooms became the world's first homosexuals
to legally marry yesterday as a landmark Dutch law allowing same-sex
matrimony came into effect.

The communal ceremony in Amsterdam's rose petal-bedecked City Hall came
minutes after midnight as new Dutch legislation granted homosexual couples
the same rights as heterosexuals, including the right to adopt children."
Click here more on this story

Miller Film Festival to feature Gay movie

The 16th Miller Film Festival kicks off on April 20th, one of the attractions of this years festival
is Big Eden - a gay film by US Director Thomas Bezucha, a summary of the movie describes it with such passion
that it's simply a must see --> 'a small-town Montana community of open doors, open hearts and open minds takes an epic case of gay yearning in its stride and then under its nurturing wing. 
Any audience of halfway-similar inclinations will follow suit.'

For more on the festival click here
Visit the Big Eden official site here

1st April 2001

Outhouse to Move in April

Gay and Lesbian community center, ‘The Outhouse’ on William Street will close its doors on April 7^th, the Outhouse has occupied this space since summer 1997, it will move to a new Location at the top of Capel Street (Bolton Street end) later in the month. A wine Reception was held on the 28^th of March to announce the new venue.

When Westlife met Vada

Former ‘Alternative Miss Ireland’ winner, Vada is to appear on Stage This Sunday (April 1^st) with Westlife during their sell-out tour at the Point Depot. Rumour has it the Drag Queen, famous for her alternative style dance routines, will take part in a version of Westlife’s current chart single, ‘Uptown Girl’ – during the show, a Limo will pull up on stage, from which Vada will exit. 

Blow Up Doll sales increase in Ireland

Gay-Ireland.com has recently launched a new advertising campaign, phase one consists of a full-page advert in GCN. The slogan of the advert is ‘Quiet Nights in are about to get a bit more exciting’ and shows the image of a male blow up doll. 

The ad is a teaser campaign for new features about to launch on the site, the first of these is a new music section, which is under going construction at the moment. The music section will feature reviews of all the latest chart CD’s (thanks to Tower Records), reviews of concerts around the country, profiles on different artists and competitions galore – including Record Vouchers and a Holiday (more on this soon). 

Queer Space Belfast

Queer Space Belfast held their last meeting on the 28th March, during which an agreement was made with 'Cara-Friend' NI, to begin a
weekly drop-in starting from Saturday 5th MAY 2001.
The details are as follows:
NAME: IN SPACE Drop-in
MEETING: Saturdays 2pm-5pm
VENUE:  C/F rooms, Cathedral Buildings, Lower Donegal Street, Belfast

 Meanwhile, QUEERSPACE Cultural resource and social group meets every Wednesday from 7.30 to 9.30pm at the C/F rooms, Cathedral Buildings, Lower Donegal Street, Belfast. For more information phone 90 580257.

Star Spotting

Star-Spotting has become our new hobby, since Ronan Keating was spotted in Hilton Edwards last week our inbox hasn’t stopped jumping with sightings of other stars out on the town. Apparently Johnny Lee Miller (from Trainspotting/Hackers) and James Nesbit (Cold Feet/Waking Ned) were also at Hilton Edwards last Sunday. We also have a report that Mel C (AKA Skary Spice was spotted at SPY – home of Hilton Edwards) Alas this wasn’t on HE’s gay night but worth a mention none the less. Spotted a star – get onto the Gay-Ireland.com hotline quick – hello@Gay-Ireland.com

26th March 2001

Week of Events at UCG

This week see’s the launch of a special student week in Galway University, special events will be run thru-out the week in association with Strano and Club 152. 

Some of the planned events include:-
Tuesday 27th March.
Meeting in Room 317, Tower 2. @8 and then drinks in Zulus.
Film Soc. presents "My own Private Idaho" @7 in the Kirwan Theater

Wednesday
Karaoke STRANO @8
Studio 152 at Liquid with Saturday night resident(and PLUTO alumnus!) DJ John.

Thursday
The launch of a gay themed Play "Carteginians" 

More info available from pluto@student.nuigalway.ie
For more information visit our Galway Section

Life is a roller-coashter

Sunday night club, Hilton Edwards at SPY, had a surprise appearance last night (March 26^th) by none other than Ronan Keating. The former boyzone frontman popped in to the club with some friends, our friends at SPY, tell us that he almost went un-noticed thanks to the laidback atmosphere of the club. It appears gay clubs are becoming the trendy option for stars who fancy a night out, without any hassle, recent appearances include Samantha Mumba at Disko and Destiny’s Child at Q+A.

Spotted any stars out on the town? Let us know – hello@gay-ireland.com

Click here for more on Hilton Edwards

Drag Queen Fashion Shoot

This months Dside magazine carries a photo shoot with popular Dublin Drag-Queens, Vada and Panti. The magazine this month provided a blank canvass to a number of Ireland’s more finally tuned fashion folk, from Graphic Designers to Hair Stylists to come up with images of ‘Fashion in Ireland in 2001’.

Vada Bon Reve appears in a low cut belly top and shreded kilt, designed by ‘Graham Cruz’, lying on a bearskin rug across a two page spread.

Meanwhile, we get an arial view of Panti’s head, courtesy of Graphic Designer ‘Niall Sweeney’. Expect to see the the drag queens on a cat walk in Paris some time soon.

See Issue 64 of Dside for pictures

Start Teasing...

April 7^th see’s the launch of new nightclub ‘Tease’ at the Temple Bar Music Center in Dublin. The event is a one off for the moment, it will be run in association with Eddie McGuinness, who was involved with the successful wonderbar, which also ran in the same venue. The opening night will include an performance from  upcoming boy band, Piciese. Keep an eye on Gay-Ireland.com for more information.

Story of Alternative Miss Ireland

The Alternative Miss Ireland has hit the information superhighway, the new website features news, reviews and pictures from all 8 contests dating from 1997 to present.

The site also features information on the alternative eurovision and the alternative miss Limerick. The design team are also working on a website for the Irish Queer Archives, which is scheduled to appear later this year.  

Click here to visit ‘The story of Alternative Miss Ireland’ Click here for Gay-Ireland’s Drag pages Click here for full gallery of photo’s on camera spy Click here for Alternative Miss Ireland 2001 review part 1  Click here for Alternative Miss Ireland review 2001 Part 2

Lesbian Contestant on Wanderlust

The George held a special screening of Wanderlust last Tuesday to celebrate the appearance of the first lesbian to appear on Wanderlust - Ireland's dating TV show. Rachel Mulcahy aka Steffanny Strapon aka Johnny Silvino appeared on the show which was then followed by a drag show hosted by Dial Emma with performances  by: Renttecca, Jerri Singer, Didi Charvet & Harlot Bronte

16th March 2001

Interview with a gay bar

One of Galways most popular gay friendly bars 'The Pumphouse' has changed hands. The bar has been revamped and renamed LeStat (After the main character from the novel Interview with a vampire), The pub will still maintain its gay friendly atmosphere however. Galway's other gay bar Strano's has been also been redesigned and celebrated its reopening last night (15th March 2001). The pub has many events planned over the weekend to coincide with their opening. Meanwhile Galway Pride organisers have planned a meeting to organise events for this years Pride on March 28th in Stranos bar at 7pm

For more on Galway - Click here

Date set for Derry Pride

We have good news following the pesimistic report from last weeksnews, 'Is Pride finished in the North West' ?

There are now official dates for Derry Pride - the event is scheduled to run on July 6th to July 8th. A pride collective has been formed, altho there are no representatives from any lesbian or bisexual groups.

 The Pride Collective will meet again next Wednesday @ 6PM @ Foyle Friend.

Fetish group backs out of new Gay Bar

LUBE - Ireland's Fetish group have announced that they no longer have any involvment with Chaps bar at Out on the Liffey - the Fetish Party night scheduled for Patricks weekend has been cancelled. New venue arrangements will be announced as soon as possible. Lube will continue to meet in Outhouse. Chaps bar opened above Out on the Liffey last month in association with LUBE. See last months news for more information

Homophobic attack in Gay Friendly club

The following e-mail was received from a concerned visitor to Score at Sirens Lounge at the Ormande Hotel.

Sirens is advertised as a Mixed club on a Saturday night.
"just to let you all know that although it is listed as being a family venue
in GCN, you should all be very careful when visiting Siren's in the Ormonde
hotel. My self and a number of friends were set up for a bashing in there
last Saturday night by a gang of Knackers.

Of course, I take offence at their behaviour, especially seeing that my mate
is in Hospital having pins inserted in his leg after breaking it but most of
all I take offence at the lack of security and their attitude when they did
turn up. They blamed us first but then calmed down when all of the onlookers
told them that it wasn't our fault. Then, when we left, they proceeded to
throw the other shites out on the street after us even though I had
explained to them that my mate couldn't walk and that we were trying to get
a taxi outside. Which should have been their responsibility.

This is not sour grapes, my friend has reported this to the Gardai.

Michael"

Visit our page on Score here

Patricks Weekend

The absense of a Patricks day parade and fireworks display has left many wondering what they can do to celebrate Ireland's national day. It appears to be a quiet year too on the scene, on checking the Gay-Ireland.com news archive - March 17th of last year shows a chock a block schedule - things are a bit quieter this year, some of the best events however inlcude the following -

The Kremlin, Belfast have invited last years Alternative Miss Ireland 'Siobhan Broadway' and this years runner up 'Renttecca' to take part in some celtic capers.

Disko on sunday 18th are having a Gayli upstairs, which will treat clubbers to a night packed with irish music. 

Trade Eire at the Redbox - Visit our Events page

Other world wide events can be found on the following links page http://www.planetrapido.com/gwp/stpat

Recovery North West

Recovery North West have contacted us with the following request

"I often, via email receive information very relevant to people in recovery from whatever, be it depression, alcohol/drugs, eating disorder etc etc.

I have now set up this email address to give the opportunity to forward this information on to people. It will also be somewhere you can send information or anything relevant to recovery and I can forward it to others on the list. Anonymity is assured. It will be sharing.

If you would like to join and receive this information which I find most of good stuff then reply to this email and you will receive this information to your email address."

Contact the group at the following address recoverynw@hotmail.com

Up North

Gay-Ireland.com is currently putting the finishing touches to a new section on Northern Ireland - We are looking for reviews of clubs and pubs and information on upcoming events + news. Please send anything of interest to hello@Gay-Ireland.com

6th March 2001

Is pride finished in the North West?

The first meeting for pride in the North West was held last month (Feb 21st) and no one turned up. Foyle Friend will host a discussion on Wednesday March 14th @ 730pm at Foyle Friend Drop In center, 37 Clarendon Street, Derry. It is hoped that a decision will be made as to weather PRIDE 2001 will happen and to discuss PRIDE and it's aim in general.

Meanwhile, the 2nd meeting for Belfast Pride takes place tonight (March 6th)  in White's Tavern at 7.00pm. 

The first meeting towards organising Dublin Pride takes place on March 21st at the Ormand Hotel.

Same-sex couple marry in Galway

Lesbian Couple, Breege Fahey and Bob Pritchard got married last month in Galway, with a wedding ceremony that would almost compares to that of Posh N Becks. Hula dancers, belly dancers, musicians, comedians and more.. made sure that there was never a dull moment at the wedding. Visit the Irish Times for the full story.

'Gay community go Minogue Mad'

'Gay community go Minogue Mad' - according to last weeks Evening Herald. This of course was before Kylie announced the cancelation of her Irish Date. The Herald (Tue 27th Feb) reported on the number of clubs running special Kylie nights, including Baby 2k and the George.

Full Review of the Georges Kylie night - Coming soon

Kremlin Belfast prepare for 2nd Birthday

The Kremlin is 2 years old this Saturday (march 10th) - The celebrations will include 'Annie Dee', 'Cher Travesty' and 'The K Girls'.

The club will also launch 'The Pink Lottery', which is an in house competition, where you put numbers 1-6 (in any order) on a given (pink) envelope, fill in your details and pop in a pound. All money goes towards the jackpot

The Kremlin will also launch club 180 - which gets its name from the price it will charge for pints ie:- £1.80. It will run every Tuesday until 3am and women get in half price!!