The event is always a highlight of Cork Pride, and even if the sun wasn’t putting in much of an effort, the smiles on people's faces would have warmed most hearts.

The panel will consist of Cork Labour Party senator Laura Harmon, Labour Party Cork city councillor John Maher, Saoirse Mackin from Trans+ Pride Cork, Kate Moynihan of Linq Ireland, and lifelong campaigner Arthur Leahy of Cork Quay Co-op.

The accreditation initiative was developed by Belong To LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland in 2022, following a school climate survey by Columbia University revealing that 76% of LGBTQ+ young people in Ireland do not feel safe in post-primary schools.

The schools have worked for 18 months to create an environment where all students feel safe

UCC has become the first higher education institution in Ireland to launch a Proud Ally Student Network.

Pro-equality groups in Cork recently announced the ‘Cork Says Yes - Solidarity Rally with Cork City Library Staff’ in support of local library staff.

The protestors gathered on the courthouse steps across the road from the venue amid heavy rain last night.

The innovative film by filmmakers Alana Daly Mulligan and Luke K. Murphy delves into the complexities of a closeted relationship set against a traditional Irish backdrop, showcasing struggles with language and identity.

It comes following last Saturday’s far-right rally on the Grand Parade, which resulted in Cork’s Central Library being closed for only the second time — apart from the pandemic — in 130 years.

A new survey has been launched to assess the needs for support services for gay and bisexual men experiencing abuse or control in their relationships.

Labour Party councillor John Maher tabled a motion at Monday’s meeting of Cork City Council asking that the council reaffirms its “ongoing support and solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community in Cork City and with all workers who have endured bullying and harassment from a vocal minority”.

The Taoiseach was asked by The Echo about an ongoing series of incidents involving protesters objecting to the availability of what they term “pornographic” books related to LGBT matters.

Some 500 people attended a rally in support of Cork city librarians on Friday lunchtime, while a handful of counter-protesters were outnumbered 20 to one.

Up to a thousand people took to the streets of Cork to celebrate Trans+ Pride on Saturday afternoon, in a colourful and joyous display of good humour, exuberance and defiance.

Throughout last year, pop-up projects delivered creative workshops in the UK and Ireland as part of The Rainbow Library.

The ninth annual Cork LGBTI+ Awareness Week was officially launched this evening. 

Following reports that Cork City Library staff have been subjected to protests and even intimidation related to the library’s LGBTQ+ reading material, Amy Nolan chats to Ballinlough native Jim MacSweeney, manager of the UK’s longest running LGBT bookshop, who expressed his solidarity and support from London

Garda figures show a 29% increase of of hate crimes nationally but a drop in Cork

Nonetheless, staff are believed to be receiving overwhelming support from the public in the form of everything from bouquets to letters and chocolates. The gestures are said to be helping those affected through a difficult period. 

Cork City Council has been a member of the Rainbow Cities Network since 2020 and is one of 20 European cities engaged in an EU-funded policy initiative EU For Citizens.

Cork City Council and the Cork LGBTI+ Inter-Agency Group are hosting the Global Rainbow Cities Network Policy Conference this week in City Hall.

LINC is an NGO that supports and advocates for lesbian and bisexual women and their families.

This service comes on the run up to World AIDS Day, in an effort to end the stigma surrounding HIV.

Earlier this week, the IRFU announced a change to its gender participation policy, meaning that contact rugby for players in the female category is now limited to those whose sex was recorded as female at birth.

A spokesperson for the group said he hopes this year’s inaugural event will be the first in a long tradition of such events. 

Located near Eason and Brown Thomas, the crossings have been installed just ahead of Cork Pride festival which kicks off on Saturday. 

South Parish Community Centre was transformed into a riot of colour to accommodate 18 students marking their “draguation”.