Queeritage

In this episode Joe Walsh talks to his life long best friend Mark Nesbitt, Mark is a top stylist and salon owner in Belfast City Centre, He takes us in a trip down memory lane from Belfast's first pride in a double decker bus in 1991 and revisits the top gay spots including the Crow's Nest, the Parliament bar and lots more. Trigger warning: viewers may find some topics discussed triggering as we cover the troubles and sexual abuse.The LGBTQIA+ Heritage Project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. License: This video is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

Part 2 of Joe Walsh’s conversation with Greg R. Baird delves deeper into the current climate surrounding DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) in the United States, and how shifting national attitudes are affecting LGBTQIA+ communities. Greg also reflects on the profound and enduring impact of Matthew Shepard’s murder, a tragedy that shook the nation and continues to shape conversations around hate crime legislation and LGBTQ+ safety.Content Warning: This episode includes references to homophobic violence and murder. Listener discretion is advised.Despite the difficult themes discussed, the episode concludes with a message of hope, resilience, and determination for the future of LGBTQIA+ rights and community action.© LGBTQIA+ Heritage Project This episode description isshared under a Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial–NoDerivatives(CC BY-NC-ND) licence. Do not use, reproduce, or adapt without explicitpermission from the LGBTQIA+ Heritage Project.

In this episode, Joe Walsh sits down with Greg R. Baird, a Chicago-based global lecturer renowned for his work in LGBTQIA+ civil rights, allyship, and community engagement.Part 1 dives into Greg’s powerful personal journey—beginning with his coming-out story and the spark that ignited his lifelong commitment to LGBTQ+ activism during his university years. Greg also reflects on his involvement in two deeply significant documentary projects exploring the Pulse nightclub shooting and the murder of Matthew Shepard, offering insight into how these events shaped both his advocacy and the wider movement for equality.© LGBTQIA+ Heritage ProjectThis episode description is shared under a Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial–NoDerivatives (CC BY-NC-ND) licence.Do not use, reproduce, or adapt without explicit permission from the LGBTQIA+ Heritage Project.

In part two Joe Walsh chats with Shane Cassidy about the early days of the phone helplines, the early gay scene and the fight for gay spaces and their importance. viewers are advised there is some discussion on sensitive topics such as suicide, murder, drug use and violence. If you are impacted by any of these issues and would like to speak to someone please contact one of the organisations below:If you're at risk of self-harm or feeling anxious, you can telephone Lifeline. The helpline is confidential, free and open 24 hours every day.Lifeline - 0808 808 8000The LGBTQIA+ Heritage Project is fundedby the National Lottery Heritage Fund. License: This video is licensed under aCreative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

In part one Joe Walsh chats with Shane Cassidy about coming out in the 1980s after being in a heterosexual relationship and having a child. Moving from "the sticks" of Lurgan to the bright lights of Belfast's budding gay scene in The Crow's Nest, Carpenters club with the secret door that opened on to another world of gay abandon. Join us for this fabulous trip down memory lane.Creative Commons Licence Notice:This episode is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Feel free to share it, but please credit Queeritage and do not alter or use it commercially.

Join us with clinical sexologist and relationship therapist Mardi Kennedy as we explore the ins and outs of Bisexuality to celebrate Bi Visibility week. CC BY 4.0 Licence

in this short episode to round off the year 2025 Joe Walsh talks to Grainne Gibson who is just about to move on to a new job after ten fabulous years working with children and young people and supporting same sex families with HereNI. Grainne reflects on her time in the role and looks to the future of same sex family support in the north of IrelandThe LGBTQIA+ Heritage Project is fundedby the National Lottery Heritage Fund. License: This video is licensed under aCreative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

Part 2: In this episode of Queeritage, Joe Walsh sitsdown with acclaimed author and playwright PaulMcVeigh to explore what it meant to grow up gay in Belfast during the TroublesPaul discusses his novel The Good Son and his play The Big Man, which premieredat the Lyric Theatre as part of the Belfast International Festival, offer powerful insights into masculinity, identity, and survival.Paul also speaks about his more recent projects, including I Hear You, and where listeners can find his work—check out local stores such as Paperxclips and No Alibis for copies of his books.The conversation rounds out with a look at modern queerintimacy, sex, and hookups, contrasting past and present experiences of connection in Belfast’s LGBTQIA+ community.Creative Commons Licence Notice:This episode is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Feel free to share it, but please credit Queeritage and do not alter or use itcommercially. 

Part 1: In this episode of Queeritage, Joe Walsh sitsdown with acclaimed author and playwright PaulMcVeigh to explore whatit meant to grow up gay in Belfast during the Troubles. From navigating thecomplex social terrain of bars like TheCrow’s Nest, to confronting the culture of groping in old gay venues,Paul shares candid reflections on queer life in a city shaped by conflict andconservatism.We delve into the nuances of coming out—and not comingout—in a time when visibility could be dangerous, and discuss how theseexperiences have informed Paul’s creative work. check out local stores such as Paperxclips and No Alibis for copies of his books.Trigger Warning: This episode containsdiscussion of sexual assault, the Northern Irish conflict, and mild swearing. Listenerdiscretion is advised.Creative Commons Licence Notice:This episode is released under a Creative CommonsAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Feel free toshare it, but please credit Queeritage and do not alter or use itcommercially.

Mary Ellen Campbell was the first openly gay Deputy Lord Mayor in Belfast in 2016. During her time there she submitted a motion for an LGBTQIA+ stained glass window. Fast forward to 2025 and the window was launched in June 2025 by counsellor Micky Murray who was approaching the end of his time as Belfast's first openly Gay Mayor. for more information on the LGBTQIA+ Heritage project please visit https://hereni.org/lgbtqia-heritage-project/  This video has been produced for the LGBTQIA+ HeritageProject in partnership with HereNI, Cara-Friend and The Rainbow Project withfunding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.  Subject to CC BY 4.0 Licence.    This video has been produced for the LGBTQIA+ HeritageProject in partnership with HereNI, Cara-Friend and The Rainbow Project withfunding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.  Subject to CC BY 4.0 Licence.   

in this episode Joe Walsh talks to Eddie Stewart about coming out in Belfast in 1995 with the help of Cara-Friend, making friends on the social scene in the Crows Nest, Parliament and the opening of the Kremlin for which Eddie still has his membership card. Tune in for a mince down memory lane This video has been produced for the LGBTQIA+ Heritage Project in partnership with HereNI, Cara-Friend and The Rainbow Project with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.  Subject to CC BY 4.0 Licence.   

part 2 of interview with Cat Brogan speaking about being a Lesbian, love, life and campaigning and the start of Omagha Pride. This video has been produced for the LGBTQIA+ Heritage Project in partnership with HereNI, Cara-Friend and The Rainbow Project with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.  Subject to CC BY 4.0 Licence.   

Joe Walsh speaks with Cat Brogan in this 2 part episode, Cat paints a colourful picture about coming out in Rural Omagh and the early days before the internet was used for meeting people. This video has been produced for the LGBTQIA+ Heritage Project in partnership with HereNI, Cara-Friend and The Rainbow Project with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.  Subject to CC BY 4.0 Licence.   

In this episode in Irish for Seachtain na Gaeilge (Irish language week) Dr Richard O’Leary recounts his years of LGBTQ activism in the faith sector, the landmark legal case he took in 2006 against the Irish government and his latest career as a fairy storyteller or homoseanchaí. Richard was Interviewed by our volunteer Pádraig DonnellySa chlár seo do Sheachtain na Gaeilge insíonn an Dr Richard O’Leary na blianta atá caite aige i mbun gníomhaíochta LADTA in earnáil an chreidimh, an cás dlí suntasach a thóg sé i 2006 i gcoinne rialtas na hÉireann agus a ghairm bheatha is déanaí mar homoseanchaí. Chuir ár n-oibrí deonach Pádraig Donnelly Richard faoi agallamh.This episode has been produced for the LGBTQIA+ Heritage Project in partnership with HereNI, Cara-Friend and The Rainbow Project with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.  Subject to CC BY 4.0 Licence.   

In this episode Gordon Crawford AKA Trudy Scrumptious talks about his experiences of coming on to the Belfast drag scene and working his way up there with the best of them. Gordon reflects on the hard work and courage it takes to carve out a career in such a niche area of the Belfast entertainment scene as well as the fun and lasting friendships made along the way.This episode has been produced for the LGBTQIA+ HeritageProject in partnership with HereNI, Cara-Friend and The Rainbow Project withfunding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.  Subject to CC BY 4.0 Licence.   

Amanda is a playwright and has made an appearance in our wonderful documentary "The Troubles I've Seen" In this episode Amanda talks about love, life and Art and surviving some tough times as a Lesbian in Belfast. https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/learn-explore/young-people/connections/ This episode has been produced for the LGBTQIA+ Heritage Project in partnership with HereNI, Cara-Friend and The Rainbow Project with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.  Subject to CC BY 4.0 Licence.   

if you missed attending the live podcast with G&T podcast in 2 Royal Avenue on Oct 2024 with the iconic titans of Belfast Drag Tina Leggs Tantrum and Titti Von Tramp, chaired by the fabulous Jude Copeland, it's a fiery, fiesty and frank account of the history of the Belfast drag scene as remembered by two of our beloved icons, not to be missed, catch up here. x

In this episode Joe Walsh chats with Ruairi Hanratty about growing up in a rural religious conservative area in Northern Ireland. Ruairi remembers what it was like at school and describes how LGBT+ people met each other when there were no gay bars or LGBT+ services. CC BY 4.0 Licence

as part of a celebration of The Rainbow Project's 30th year Joe Walsh chats with Duane Farrell, Duane worked in the Rainbow Project in 1994 and recalls some of the campaigns and working towards equality as well as the prejudiced attitudes of the time towards the growing visibility of the gay community, the fear during the Aids crisis and much more. For more information on any information raised in the podcast please email [email protected]. CC BY 4.0 Licence

In this episode Joe Walsh is talking with Harry McAllister who has been the Queen of Belfast's drag scene since the 1970s as his infamous alter ego Mizz Mae. Harry remembers performing at some iconic venues such as The Royal Avenue Hotel, The Crow's Nest and The Orpheus. Harry talks about making his own dresses for drag performances and having to get changed in public toilets on the way to gigs. If you enjoy this episode you might consider subscribing to help us build our listener base x CC BY 4.0 Licence

During pride week 2024 we held an open call for podcast guests and luckily Councillor John Blair MLA for South Antrim called in to 2 Royal Avenue and was happy to share his experiences of being the first openly gay politician in Northern Ireland. CC BY 4.0 Licence

In this episode Martina Hanna who was the chair of HereNI talks about her long career and campaigning for equality for the LGBTQIA+ community and the LGBT+Strategy that never was and why it's important to pursue it now! Martina is joined by Monica Fitzpatrick who was the author of the LGBT+ strategy titled Pride not prejudice and sheds some insight into the background of the strategy which in 2024 has still never been implemented

In this episode we are chatting with the infamous Tina McComb, Tina was at the first Belfast pride meetings when they realised they didn't have a Pride flag anywhere in the North of Ireland and she had to use her contacts from her campaigning. This is only one of the many stories Tina brings to us in this fabulous episode of Queeritage. CC BY 4.0 Licence

In this episode Fionntan Warren talks to Vince Creelan about his time in the PSNI, they discuss attitudes of the police at the time, Darren Bradshaw's murder and the formation of the Gay Police Association. If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this episode you can contact [email protected] or [email protected] to speak to someone about services available. CC BY 4.0 Licence

Leo Lardie is a trans man living and working in Belfast, he talks about his journey to transition in Northern Ireland through a broken medical system and how things have worked out. Leo is the sexual health officer with The Rainbow Project and a proud advocate for Trans people. Leo's colourful account of his experiences is touching, funny and hopeful. The title was taken from a comment Leo makes in the podcast about how Trans people are expected to be the spokesperson for the entire Trans "community" We hope you enjoy this episode. CC BY 4.0 Licence

In this episode we speak with the fabulous Robert May, Robert was a DJ and entertainer on the Belfast Gay scene through the late 80s and 90s, Robert takes us on a colourful trip down memory lane to relive the hay days of early pride parades, the crows nest and Parliament and lots more. CC BY 4.0 Licence

in this episode Sally Bridge and Catherine Covert take us on a journey through 1990s Belfast, coming out with children and the strong women who fought for services and equality. CC BY 4.0 Licence

subscribe for upcoming episodes, we are capturing the oral history of our fabulous LGBT+ community through the stories brought to us in this series. If you or someone you know would like to record their story with us please get in touch by email [email protected] CC BY 4.0 Licence