Laois group scoops top prize at LGBTQ+ awards night

Laois support workers shared a stage with veteran campaigner David Norris as they scooped a top honour at Ireland’s only LGBTQ+ awards.

Organised by Gay Community News (GCN) and the National LGBT Federation (NXF), the annual GALAS celebrate the work of individuals, companies and organisations who are helping to make Ireland a better place for the LGBTQ+ community.

At a ceremony in the Dublin Royal Convention Centre, the Midlands LGBTQ+ Project – which covers Laois – was named the Community Organisation (Paid Staff) of the year.

Awards hosts – performer and broadcaster Paul Ryder and social media influencer Cassie Stokes – said the judges had been impressed by the project’s leadership and service on behalf of the local LGBTQ+ community.

Veteran activist David Norris – who retired from the Seanad last January – was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award at the event, as special recognition for his contribution to the LGBTQ+ community and Irish society.

Speaking at the ceremony on Saturday night, Anna Nolan, Chair of the NXF, said the GALAS continue to shine a light on the people and organisations who strive to improve the quality of life for all members of the wider LGBTQ+ community.

“This is our 11th awards ceremony, and the standard of all the entrants was as strong as ever,” she said.

“It is genuinely humbling to see the amount of work that individuals and groups are doing all over Ireland to promote equality, and acknowledging their efforts makes the GALAS such a special and inspiring evening.

“And it’s only fitting we honour the achievements of David Norris, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in Ireland who devoted his life to campaigning on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community.”

Award Winners

Other winners at the ceremony included Trans Healthcare Action, which was named Community Organisation (Volunteer Staff) of the year, League of Ireland side Bohemians, which was named LGBTQ+ Ally of the Year, and Galway activist Sarah Murray who received the Joe Drennan LGBTQ+ Young Trailblazer of the Year award.

Outhouse founder Patricia Carey was given the Volunteer of the Year title, while Cork campaigner William Kennedy received the Noel Walsh award for HIV activism.

Q-Con 2023 was named Event of the Year, Ireland’s largest sports club for LGBTQ+ people, the Dublin Front Runners, received the Sports Group of the Year title, and EY Ireland won the Outstanding Company award.

The Proud to Work for Ireland Network scooped the Employee Resource Group of the Year award, while Dafne Muñeca Aguilar, a human rights activist and sex worker in Mexico, lifted the International Activist award and Drag and Draw received the Arts and Entertainment prize.

Ranae Von Meding, co-founder of Equality for Children, which fights for equal rights for LGBTQ+ parents, was the Person of the Year.