Here & Queer

Nicole came to Ireland from Virgina, US during the pandemic and hasn’t looked back. She shares how she came to her sexual identity and what aspects of life in ireland could be improved.  Songs chosen: Jason Mraz “Please Don’t Tell Her” Emeli Sandé “You Are Not Alone” Pillow Queens “Hearts & Minds”

Mohammed is a PhD student from Pakistan who shares his story of traveling from Pakistan to China and then to Ireland and shares his internal battle of Islam vs Homosexuality.  Songs chosen: Lata Mangeshkar, Udit Narayan, Gurdas Mann & Pritha Majumder “Aisa Des Hai Mera” Tanishk Bagchi, Arijit Singh & Asees Kaur “Bolna” Doja Cat “Boss Bitch”

Basira Paigham is an Afghan LGBTQ activist and named one of the BBC’s 100 women of 2021 after she fled Afghanistan after the return of the Taliban to power. She is now a refugee in Ireland and has founded the first Afghan LGBTQ charity.  Songs chosen: Haider Salim “Een Qafela Omer Ajab Megozarad” Ava Max “Kings & Queens” 50 Cent “In da Club”

Marc is an interior designer from Catalunya, Spain. He shares a more positive story of growing up queer in Barcelona and finding his tribe in the queer community.  Songs chosen: Txarango “Una Lluna a L’Aigua” Lady GaGa “Just Dance (feat. Colby O’Donis)” Corrs “Breathless

Rodrigo speaks with Cian about growing up queer in Brazil, coming to Ireland and becoming part of the cultural furniture when he took on the role of Cristiano in Fair City and the duality arose therefrom.  Songs chosen: Deborah Blanco “Unicamente” Elton John “Your Song” Enya “Echoes In The Rain”

Preet left his life in Mauritius to start a new one in Ireland and is currently living in direct provision. TW; this episode contains conversation about sexual assault, suicidal ideations and child abuse. Please feel free to skip this episode if thai is something that you would not like to hear.  Songs chosen: Jimmy Gassel & Laura Beg “Friends” George Michael “Careless Whisper” Hozier “Take Me To Church”

Marysia is a Polish national who grew up in Tipperary and shares their experience of being foreign and queer in a rural town.  Songs chosen: Happysad “Zanim Pójdę” Grace Petrie “Pride” The Cranberries “Dreams”

Hungarian graphic designer Viktor speaks to Cian about queer life in Hungary, Ireland and the homophobic policies of Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán. Songs chosen: Kispél és a Borz “Ha Az Életben” Dorian Electra “Sorry Bro (I Love You)” The Dubliners “The Parting Glass”

Blaise Ferguson grew up in Singapore before being inspired to come to Trinity College Dublin by one of their favourite celebrities.  Songs chosen: Alextbh “No Space” Hayley Kiyoko “Feelings” Hozier “Work Song”

Tomás Santillion is an Argentinian architect who has relocated to Ireland and speaks to Cian about that experience.  Songs chosen: Twiggy “Necesito un Amigo” Miss Bolivia “Tomate el Palo” The Cranberries “Ode To My Family”