While International Pride Month takes place in June, Laois Pride is taking place from September 8 to September 14, with organisers and allies proudly raising the flag on Monday to mark the start of celebrations.

To mark Laois Pride, the Leinster Express / Laois Live is featuring a series of 'Pride Profiles', where we speak to well known Laois locals within the LGBT+ community on their experiences.

Owner of the luxury countryside haven Fitz of Inch Farmhouse, Stradbally entrepreneur Michael Fitzpatrick is no stranger to the limelight.

Pictured: Laois businessman Michael Fitzpatrick

The Laois man has featured across magazines and media outlets alike for his stunning fashion at the races, and along with being the face of Fitz of Inch, he is the brains behind the thriving business.

We spoke to Mr Fitzpatrick on what it means to be a member of the LGBT+ community in Laois.

"I think that people don't understand that it takes a lot of time to come out," he explained.

"When I originally came out, I came out as bisexual. It was an easier way of doing it, without the dramatics of being totally gay. A lot of people think that coming out means you'll suddenly become more feminine and develop a squeaky voice- it's the stereotypes that scare people, like telling your parents and family. There's nothing wrong with that either," he said. 

Portarlington woman Davinia Knight, centre, with Stradbally's Michael Fitzpatrick and Faith Amond, the finalists in The Ashford Castle Style Icon at The Curragh Racecourse for 2025. Pic: Damien Eagers

"Being gay in Laois can be confronting and challenging. You will always have the people who look at you funny, or pass remarks. Online is more challenging. People aren't as brave in person as they were before, you have a lot of trolls and keyboard warriors," Mr Fitzpatrick highlighted.

The hotelier stressed that while it's easy to encounter ignorance and hatred, there is always an equal amount of positivity.

"There's the opposite side of that too, with every negative there's a positive. We recently did our charity fundraiser for Breakthrough Cancer Research, and I wore a daring and gay outfit in work. I wore it publicly and around locally, and it was well received. People were happy to see me being me, it was a really nice and proud moment. Two years ago, I wouldn't have done it," he admitted.

Pictured: Mr Fitzpatrick hosts Fitz of Inch's Breakthrough Cancer Research fundraiser in August

The proud Laois man has amassed over 10,000 followers on Instagram for his style and success, and is proud to run one of Laois' many LGBTQ+ inclusive spaces.

"I don't think we are as far along as we should be, but at the same time we are doing quite well. The fact that Laois has a pride festival says a lot, there's more inclusivity. Even looking at events I would attend with my friends, it might have a hashtag that says, 'LGBTQ+ friendly'. That wouldn't matter for some, but it matters to me, I always look for those kinds of places," Mr Fitzpatrick said.

"It's for safety reasons; you tend to look for how safe you'll be in an environment. When women go out, they think about safety more than lads, and the gays are the same," he said.

"We have come a long way, and there's a long way to go. We're doing bloody great, for a small country that has had to accept change over such a short period of time."

Mr Fitzpatrick explained that he feels safe to walk through Portlaoise with a partner, having gone out holding hands with past partners and has never been targeted. However, he has experienced homophobia in the past.

Pictured: Michael Fitzpatrick

"I was bullied for being gay in school, and I didn't know it myself at the time," he said.

"Looking back, some of the people who bullied me are now gay," he laughed.

"I was one of the lucky ones, I got an apology a good few years ago, that in itself was a huge landmark. Rarely you get an apology, you don't need one to have closure and move on, but when you do get it, it's very nice," he said.

With the rise of hateful comments and online trolling, Mr Fitzpatrick highlighted that we should consider what people may be going through.

"Everyone has different things going on in their lives, no one knows what's happening in your life, but yourself," he said.

Pictured: Michael Fitzpatrick

"The bullies have stuff going on too. I would see with my friends, whether they are gay or straight, that people are a lot quicker to stand up and call things out- to say, 'no, you can't say that, that's not fair'. I'm lucky to have those friends, we stick together and stand by each other," he said.

"Dolly Parton once said, 'find out who you are, and do it on purpose'. That's a metaphor for a lot of things, you can use it in a lot of scenarios. It's a part of growing up and being gay in a society.

"The main thing is that you're happy, everyone else will see you're happy and be happy for you," he said.

"People behind a screen are just that- the only opinions that matter are from the ones who have your personal phone number, not just DM messages," Mr Fitzpatrick finished.

For more of our Laois Pride Profiles, keep an eye on the Leinster Express / Laois Live website.

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