How Ireland’s LGBTQ+ Youth Movement was Built

Michael Barron is an Irish and international social justice advocate, author and social commentator. In Ireland, he founded the country's first national LGBTQ+ youth advocacy organisation and campaigned for LGBTQ+ youth inclusion in education, health and public policy, marriage equality and the secularisation of Ireland’s education system. He is a Council of Europe expert of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and a human rights grant maker.

“Barron delivers a powerful chronicle of the courage and conviction of a generation of anti-homophobia and transphobia activists who opened the floodgates of goodness and grace, creating a pathway of support for future leaders – and ensuring that the gates remain open, come what may.” Mary McAleese, Former President of Ireland and Chancellor of Trinity College Dublin “Michael Barron offers deep insight into what it means to advocate for the visibility of LGBTQ+ people at a crucial time, when authorities worldwide seem to compete over who can most effectively trample our right to exist. May this publication inspire us to keep fighting – until we are all liberated.” Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera, Ugandan LGBTQ+ human rights defender and Martin Ennals Award Laureate “A must-read from a key figure in Ireland’s LGBTQ+ youth movement that combines the rigour of careful academic treatment with the insight of extensive experience in the field.” Conor O’Mahony, University College Cork “Barron is a force of nature who has been a pivotal, tireless, good-humoured voice at the forefront of deep and dramatic social change in Ireland for over three decades. Never one to be underestimated, he’s managed to pull off another unlikely coup here: making what could have been a rather dry treatise on civil society and forging change into something personal, vital and entertaining!” Rory O’Neill (AKA drag performer Panti Bliss)

• 1.Introduction 2.Context: LGBTQ+ Youth in the crosshairs 3.Building a Civil Society Platform4.Community Youth Work: the BeLonG To Model5.A New Narrative : Queer Optimism6.Alliances and Political Power 7.Self-Organised Community Model for Policy Change8. Defending Our Civil Society Platforms9.Conclusion References