Aaron Dennehy – Mr Gay Cork Contestant 2015

Written by gaycork. Posted in Mr Gay Cork, News

In the third of our Mr Gay Cork 2015 entrant interviews we speak with Aaron Dennehy.

Tell us about yourself?

Well to start to my name is Aaron Dennehy, I’m a 21-year-old student studying Business Studies in CIT. I have worked in the Bodega nightclub for the last 2 years, and I really enjoy my job. Anyone who works in a club or bar knows it’s a really good way to meet new people, which is my favourite part of the job. I’m heading into my 3rd year of college, which has been such a really fun experience.

Apart from studying, I’ve been involved with the LGBT society, been part of the student union, and protested for LGBT rights and for student rights. It’s really been such an amazing experience, and I can’t wait to go back to it this September. I’m a huge fan of comedy and comic movies and music; I love a lot of music as a lot of people do, and of course the 80s is my favourite decade for music – I know I’m such a hipster. I love watching Friends, Modern Family and The Middle every day. I love day time TV and I probably should get a life. When I do get out though, I love to cycle and go bowling and Sunday nights in Crane Lane.

Why are you entering Mr Gay Cork 2015?

To be honest, nobody is more surprised I’m doing this than me. It started as just a mad idea I had; l’m a bit of a shy, timid person on the surface, so putting myself in the spot light doesn’t come naturally. I guess I’ve always wanted to try it since I saw it 2 years ago, but last year I chickened out. This year I said it out loud and I stuck with it. I just think that now more than ever it’s important to have this event; it’s a chance to raise much-needed funds for HIV research and it’s important to present a positive image of our community now that it’s in the spot light thanks to marriage equality passing this year.

This contest shows that it’s ok to stand up and be proud of your you are and be involved in promoting a positive image and involved in fundraising.

What does the LGBT community mean for you?

For me the LGBT community is a safety net that’s always there for you when you need it. The LGBT community really helped me a lot when I first came out. If it wasn’t for the friends I made within the LGBT community I don’t think I would have been able to do it all; I’ve been to LGBT bars, clubs, societies and workshops and they have all been a big help to not only accepting myself and learning what I am, but understanding others too. Thanks to the outstanding supports in our community I’ve learned so much and met such wonderful friends from all parts of our community.

I wholeheartedly believe that my sexuality is just a small part of who I am and that it shouldn’t influence my whole life but if it wasn’t for the LGBT community helping me through those first few years, I would feel incomplete .

If you win, how do you envisage putting your title to use within the local community?

If I was to win Mr Gay Cork 2014, I’d do my best to be a positive force for our community here in Cork. I think there is still a lot of misinformation out there involving safe sex and HIV, so I think a priority would be to shine a spotlight on those areas.

Also no more than ever I think it’s important to look after the youngest members of our community those in secondary schools who are coming out at such a young and almost unprecedented age, there young and impressionable and the horrifying truth is they’re cursing online under false names and getting into possibly dangerous situations they must be educated and protected.

Describe yourself in 3 words.

I would say loyal, well humoured and unapologetic

Tell us something that no one else knows about you?

I sometimes buy medium-sized shirts just to make myself look bigger, when in reality I should wear large over my height.

Do you have any secret ambitions?

I have one guilty dream job: I would love to work in the business part of the WWE

And finally is there anything else you’d like to say?

Just would like to say thanks for giving me this opportunity to tell everyone about myself a bit and would like to say good luck to every other contestant. Finally I think I speak for everyone when I say I can’t wait to put on a fantastic show.

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Konrad Imy – Mr Gay Cork Contestant 2015

Written by gaycork. Posted in Mr Gay Cork, News

In the second of our Mr Gay Cork 2015 entrant interviews we speak with Konrad Imy.

Tell us about yourself?

Hey, my name is Konrad. I’m born and raised in Ballyphehane along with my 7 brothers. My mother is also a born and raised Ballyphehane girl. My father is from Hong Kong, hence the exotic looks 😉 haha. I’m a costume designer, and I’ve worked on shows for Cork Opera House for the last 5 years. But I’ve recently decided to take a step back from theatre a bit to pursue other interests before I return to college next year.

Why are you entering Mr Gay Cork 2015?

I entered in 2009 when I was 19 but back then I was young and it was just for the laugh. Since then I’ve grown up a lot, have become a lot wiser and want to do more important work. I’ve seen the good work the previous winners have been able to do over the last few years and know it’s a great platform to raise funds and awareness for places like St. James Hospital New Fill Service and The Sexual Health Centre Cork and that’s the kind of important work that’s always interested me.

What does the LGBT community mean for you?

I came screaming onto the Cork gay scene 7/8 years ago haha and to me it’s been like a huge family (not that my actual family isn’t already big enough haha). I’ve met some truly inspirational people, made amazing friends and have had so many fantastic opportunities since I first came out. It’s all been a great experience, with the usual highs and lows, but it’s lovely to be part of such an interesting community.

The love, support and dedication shown by the people I met during the Yes Equality Cork Campaign definitely showed how special the LGBT community is here in Cork. And I couldn’t be more Proud.

If you win, how do you envisage putting your title to use within the local community?

*Fingers Crossed* If I do win, I’ve been working towards it for a long time, and I’ve had plenty of sleepless nights with some great ideas keeping me up. My aim would be to show the full potential of what the title Mr Gay Cork can do to help others.

It’s a great opportunity to again raise funds and awareness for loads of worthy causes in the community and I believe I’ve the dedication to do just that. I don’t wanna give away too much, but I will say, I’ve tons of ideas and plans written down and an amazing group of friends and family willing to help wink emoticon

*Describe yourself in 3 words.

Hate this question haha, but I’ll say

1. Shy (working hard on that),
2. Creative (my sewing machine has been on overdrive preparing for Sunday)
3. Determined!

Tell us something that no one else knows about you?

I don’t think there’s much people don’t know about me. 7 years is a long time to be on the fairly small Cork scene haha. I’ve danced on stage in underwear for the Kylie Tribute so there’s not a lot people don’t know or haven’t seen haha. But some people may not know that I have 7 brothers and all our names begin with a K (Kenneth, Kieran, Kevin, Keith, Kristofor, Konrad, Kraig and Kory).

Do you have any secret ambitions?

World Domination! haha just kidding. I’ve no secret ambitions, I’m a fairly open book. 🙂

And finally is there anything else you’d like to say?

Yes. I’d like to take the opportunity now to thank my family, friends, coworkers, trainers, teachers and everyone in general for the amazing support I’ve gotten so far. It’s been amazing and I hope I can do you all proud.

Also, this year the number of contestants has dropped compared to previous years and I’d like to encourage other guys to enter. It’s great fun, a chance to make new friends, learn new things and it’s all for an amazing cause. There’s nothing to lose. It’s a win/win. So give it a go

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Aaron O’Driscoll – Mr Gay Cork Contestant 2015

Written by gaycork. Posted in Mr Gay Cork, News

In the first of our Mr Gay Cork 2015 entrant interviews we speak with Aaron O’Driscoll.

Tell us about yourself?

Well I’m from the northside of Cork city. I work as a flight attendant. I like to go out and have a good time. I loved meeting new people and just having a laugh in general!!

Why are you entering Mr Gay Cork 2015?

I’m entering Mr Gay Cork this year because, what better year is there to be Mr Gay Cork with everything that’s going on the scene at the moment! Also because I’m very proud of being from Cork and very proud of being gay! It would be an honour to win it!

What does the LGBT community mean for you?

The LGBT community to me is like a second family to me. It’s somewhere that you can relax and be yourself and chat about things that other people just wouldn’t get. The people that we have in this community are just some of the nicest and most genuine, hard-working people you will ever meet in this world and I’m proud to be part of such a fantastic community!

If you win, how do you envisage putting your title to use within the local community?

If I won, I would definitely start working with young people in the Cork area, because that’s where people struggle the most with their sexuality. To offer support to people and reassure them it’s going to be okay and that if they are gay to guide them and support them through what is already a tough part of their life! Also I would like to do some more fundraising and volunteering for charities that exist in the local community because the work they do is outstanding!

Describe yourself in 3 words.

I’d say fun, smiley and outgoing.

Tell us something that no one else knows about you?

Something that no one really knows about me? Hmm….Once I was on holidays and I ended up getting a job in a strip club for 2 nights haha

Do you have any secret ambitions?

One day me and The Spice Girls will release a single. Don’t know when but it will happen!!!

And finally is there anything else you’d like to say?

Just to finish off by saying it is such an honour to be taking part in Mr Gay Cork this year and hopefully I’m going to smash it! Also just a shout out to everyone to come along Sunday night and to support the New Film Project at St James Hospital in Dublin. Also I will be raining money for the Sexual Health Clinic here in Cork all week! I hope to see ye all there and you’re in for a great night!!

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Stephen Collins – Mr Gay Cork Contestant 2015

Written by gaycork. Posted in Mr Gay Cork, News

In the fourth of our Mr Gay Cork 2015 entrant interviews we speak with Stephen Collins.

Tell us about yourself? My name is Stephen.

I’m 25 and I’m from Tipperary. I work in a hair salon over the last six years and I love my job. I’ve started going swimming and to the gym the past few months, trying to jump on the healthy lifestyle band wagon. Even though I tend to fall off the wagon a lot.

I spend a lot of my spare time in Cork because I love going out and I have friend’s in the city.My group of friends are literally like my second family, I’d be lost without them. I’ve a very supportive mother and two younger brothers so I suppose that makes me the ‘man of the house’ lol

Why are you entering Mr gay cork 2015?

I saw a post on Facebook and I normally would never consider doing something like this, because I can be very shy and get really nervous talking to big crowds, so that’s exactly why I’m doing this. To show myself I can do it and to have a ball while doing it. And I’ll be proud of myself come Sunday night.

What does the L.G.B.T community mean to you ?

The l.g.b.t community are amazing, lovely and friendly people. Who don’t judge others and just want acceptance. One day hopefully the whole country will be one community and we won’t be divided by sexual preferences. I’m proud to be part of the l.g.b.t community and I wouldn’t change who I am for the world.

If you win how do you envisage putting your title to use within the community?

That’s something I haven’t even thought about because I’m to busy thinking about not fecking up while I’m on stage lol. But I suppose I’d like to say for anyone who is nervous or shy and would like to enter Mr. gay cork just go for it. It’s fun and you could surprise yourself. So I’m doing it to step out of my comfort zone so hopefully more people go for it next year.

Describe yourself in 3 words?

Hmmm ok well I’d say I’m friendly, random and shy at times.

Tell us something nobody else knows about you?

Well ask any of my friends. I don’t really keep secrets about myself . I’m a very open person. Maybe to open at times lol. When I was younger I wanted to be the little mermaid and I used cover my legs in toilet roll and pretend I had a mermaid tail if that counts as a secret.

Do you have any secret ambitions?

I would love to go on big brother. I love the show and always wanted to be on it. So I may apply this year lol. In a few years I’d love to have a chain of salons. So you’d never know oh and travel. I want to see the world or as much of it as I can.

Anything else you would like to say ?

God well I think ya have enough on me now my little mermaid secret is out lol but I’ll say thank you to everyone who has supported me and sponsored me. Ye are a great bunch and I really appreciate it. And best of luck to all my fellow contestants 😀

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Jack O Rourke releases “Silence” in aid of Yes Equality and Amnesty International

Written by gaycork. Posted in Features, News

With momentum building towards the Marriage Equality referendum, people from all over the country are getting involved in the campaigns in all sorts of ways. A number of musicians and singers and even one choir have chosen music as their way to raise their voices and encourage people to vote Yes. I spoke with rising star, Cork’s Jack O Rourke about his latest single release “Silence” and how his song has been embraced by both Yes Equality and Amnesty International.

“ “Silence” was one of those songs that kinda fell out. The dam burst… Often you chip away at songs but this definitely wrote itself – The muse visited and “Silence” was the result”

The lyrics tell a personal story – is this one about your own experience?
“It’s semi-autobiographical and I did ask for a kitchen from Santa and I got one – progressive parents! My best friend’s dad was a chef so it probably had nothing to do with being gay. Nevertheless, I remember one of my mates taking the piss when I was young and realising that I was different cause I had a kitchen – so I was revisiting that and the roles and rules we learn as children about what a boy or girl does. Suppression with regard to sexuality isn’t something written about a lot in pop music … I often disguise my lyrics in metaphor but I was pretty blatant here. The melody is fairly wistful too but kinda hopeful, and I think that’s conveyed”

What was it like for you growing up gay in Cork?
“I’d a great childhood. My parents are incredible and when I came out there were a few surprised heads but everyone’s dealing with their own stuff. I got a lot of support.”

The video is great – tell us a little bit about the artist and how you guys came up with the concept.
“My mate Barra Vernon directed the videos for my first two singles, “Naivety” and “Shining for you” – I couldn’t have asked for a better partner in crime. Nathan Twomey is an amazing artist based in Bremen and he animated the narrative. It is personal but again, the animations could relate to any boy or girl who felt they couldn’t be who they were.

Amnesty International and Yes Equality have both endorsed the song in the run up to the Marriage Equality referendum this May. How did this come about?
“It’s great to have Amnesty behind it and obviously the yes campaign is something very close to my heart. I met Colm O Gorman and he loved “Silence”. Last week I performed as a guest of the government at their official Yes Campaign Launch which was another great honour.
It’s just very special and gratifying to have my song associated with such a pivotal moment in contemporary Irish history.”

Cork seems to produce one talented artist after another? Is there something in the air?
“There must be. And it’s a nice scene – inclusive and eclectic. I’m a secondary teacher and my students are phenomenal musicians – writing and singing so well. The future looks safe for Irish music”

The future looks very bright Jack O Rourke too, what is next for you?
“Just keep writing and putting out songs. The next one is an uptempo tune. It’s good to mix it up – ballads and rockers. Townes Van Zandt said, “there’s only two types of music – the blues and zip dee doo dah” I like to tap into both. Looking forward to my EP coming out in June. It’s called “The Other Side of Now” and my debu album, “Dreamcatcher” due in late 2015. It would be great to play some festivals and to compose for films. I’d like to write an opera too.”

With so many questions being raised about how and where the No side is getting their funding it is energising to see people offering their time and their talents, openly and honestly to help raise funds for those campaigning for a Yes vote. Jack is one of many celebrities and rising stars that has openly nailed their colours to the yes mast. While it’s encouraging to see such a vibrant young voice being heard so loudly in this country, listening to that voice is just not enough. Buy the songs, donate through the hotlines, use your own voice to pass on the message and pay it forward and then we will actually start making a difference.

“Silence” is available on all digital platforms with all proceeds raised are going to Amnesty International and Yes Equality.

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Love is thicker than blood. The truth of an Irish family.

Written by gaycork. Posted in Features, Marriage Referendum, News

I’m the child of a single parent. My best friends growing up, most of them had two parents that were married to each other, but it’s all I’ve ever really known. My father was an alcoholic, and my mother left him when I was seven years old. He reacted by throwing me, my mother and my two sisters and two brothers out of what he viewed as “his” house. My godmother welcomed us all into her home for a few months while the legality of that was sorted out.

Once we were back in the house, my childless paternal uncle who lived across from us and looked after us as if we were his own, and continued to be a huge part in our lives despite my parents’ separation. People always asked me was it weird not having a father in my life, and it completely confused me that they were asking that. It was obvious to me that my father was a person that it was very much a good thing not to have in my life, while my uncle fulfilled all the roles that are typical of a dad, and then some! So, I wasn’t left lacking, if anything I thought other people might be missing out not having an awesome uncle that takes them fishing in a boat, teaches them how to makes things in a workshop, and sings wherever he goes.

Flash forward a few years. My cousin was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She’d just had a little baby boy and needed to start aggressive chemotherapy. My mother stepped up and added this little boy to our family. We fed him, clothed him, played games with him, and took him to the hospital to see his mother. He called my mother “Mammy” and his mother, “Mummy”. That story didn’t have a happy ending, but that baby boy grew up with his loving father and visits us where my mother still treats him like one of her own.

Flash forward a few years more. My sister gives birth to a baby girl, but faces motherhood as a young single parent. But again, my mother steps up and helps her daughter to raise this little leanabh. My sister eventually rekindles a relationship with a guy she was seeing previously, and he takes her daughter on as if she was his own. He and my sister eventually have another daughter several years later, and she’s most awesome! My uncle of course, dotes on these children as if they are his grandchildren.

Flash forward another couple of years. My eldest brother briefly started seeing a local woman. It didn’t work out, and they broke up. A month or two later though, it turns out she was pregnant. My brother didn’t even hesitate and agreed to stand by her and be as involved as she wanted him to be in the child’s life. So another niece was born, and she’d come to stay with us every Friday night. Despite her parents not being in a relationship with each other, she was loved just as much.

Flash forward ten years. In that time, my older sister and her partner ended their relationship, but worked together to make sure the girls were well looked after. They both fell in love with other people over time who accepted my nieces as part of the whole package. My eldest brother got married to a lovely woman from the local Gaelteacht, and his daughter was still visiting every Friday, and bringing her mother’s other daughter too, who was just as welcomed as part of the family. My younger sister fell pregnant and it was looking like she was doing it solo. She gave birth to my first and so far only nephew, the first boy in the family since me. A soccer-crazed little messer that decided to follow Liverpool purely so he could torment my mostly Man Utd household. My older sister’s new boyfriend, just as soccer mad, gets on like a house on fire with him too. Once again, my mother and uncle supported her so she wouldn’t be alone. I went through a mildly angsty teens where I struggled with accepting my sexuality, but made it through the other side happy and accepted as a gay man studying science at University College Cork.

Flash forward a couple of years more. My uncle has had a heart attack and we’re all panicking. My nephew who is thick as thieves with him doesn’t understand what’s going on; why isn’t he bringing me out on his bicycle, where is he? Thankfully he makes a miraculous recovery in no time flat though, and says that it’s because he has too much to live for with those little grand nieces and grand nephew waiting for him at home. I fall in love with Wexford man, who is welcomed into my family as much as I am to his. My brother and his wife have a child, but thanks to lack of work in Ireland, he has to move to Canada to work so he can support them – a familiar story for a lot of Irish people. My eldest niece falls pregnant and gives birth to a son, my adorable little grand nephew. This is a complicated one, but my older sister ends up raising him. My sister isn’t alone though, as her fiancé is there for this little baby too, changing nappies, feeding him, and loving him as his own.

Now. My point. You don’t need biology to be a mammy or a daddy. Blood is thicker than water, but love is thicker than blood. My future brother-in-law is working hard to support my sister, her daughters, and her grandson despite no biological link. My mother raised five happy and healthy children that she needed to, and added an extra few children on to that even though she didn’t have to. My incredible uncle raised the five of us in my nuclear family, and is still doing the same thing with the whole generation of his four grand nieces, one grand nephew, and his great grand nephew too; none of which he needs to do. Families, aren’t just a mother and a father and 2.5 children. They’re a group of people that look out for one another and make sure each other are supported no matter what. The children of single parents aren’t automatically deprived of something, nor the children of same-sex parents, because this is what the greater Irish family is all about. People used to be uncomfortable with talking about the fact that my parents were separated and would trip over their words when referring to my parents, but that’s not the case anymore because people don’t automatically assume one type of family anymore. On May 22nd, acknowledge in our constitution that Irish families come in all shapes and sizes, so that I can add my own family with my beloved partner to my greater Irish family.

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Funk N Something – First Show of 2015

Written by funknsomething. Posted in Events, Features, Funk N Something, News, Scene

Funk N’ Something present their first show of 2015, starring: Fabula Di Beaumarchais, Kitty Cartier, Emerald, Letycha Le Synn, Michael Crowley, Phil O Callaghan, Studio D and is hosted by Giles Reid

Friday March 6th, Doors 8.30

Chambers of Washington Street

€5 entry

All proceeds go to I.C.P.T (Irish Children’s Pilgrimage Trust) an organisation that brings sick kids to Lourdes

Selection of drinks only €2.99 up until 10.30

See ye there – nice and early now 😉

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“People, gay or straight, deserve the same validation” – Ted O’Connell, Manager of Loafers

Written by gaycork. Posted in Features, News

With just one day left to register for the upcoming marriage referendum in 2015, we asked Ted O’Connell from Loafers, for a few words on Marriage Equality:

“I was married once. We had lived together for a while beforehand. I wasn’t really convinced at the time that marriage was all that important. After all, we were in love, weren’t we? However..

I still remember the day we did get married. Everything changed. We were a unit. We were united. We were legitimized, accepted automatically by everyone, friends, family, and, yes, society, It really made an impression on me at the time. It solidified a relationship that went on to buy a house together, have 2 beautiful daughters, to make a difference.

The fact that I later came out as a gay man isn’t even relevant. That was between my ex-wife and I.

The point is that marriage is important. Gay marriage is important. People, gay or straight, deserve the same validation, should they choose to seek it. And that is an important point. Some lgbti people don’t want to choose it, which is absolutely their right.

What I am saying is that marriage equality matters. It says a lot about who we are as a society. Nobody loses if we are free to marry the person we love.”

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Public Exhibition of The Buddha’s Relics in Cork

Written by funknsomething. Posted in Community, Events, Features, Funk N Something, Health, News, Support, World

Public Exhibition of The Buddha’s Relics in Cork November 14, 15 and 16

The Maitreya Loving Kindness Tour is a free public exhibit of ancient and sacred relics from the historical Buddha and many other Buddhist masters from India, Tibet & China.

His Holiness the Dalia Lama has graciously offered 8 relics of the historical Buddha to the collection that are over 2,600 years old each. Relics have also been offered from the Sakya Reliquary in Tibet and also from Meiktila Museum in Burma that has housed Buddha Relics for many hundreds of years.

The tour also features relics from over 40 other Buddhist masters from different parts of the world, in all there are over 3,000 relics in this collection. Many of them pearl-like crystals that Tibetans call ‘Ringsel’, in Sanskrit they are called ‘Sarira.’

Exhibit is multi-faith, multi-cultural and free to attend. This non-sectarian exhibition is intended for people from all walks of life and faith, to learn about and to experience the historical relics.

The purpose of the event is to promote loving kindness and world peace!

www.maitreyarelictour.com

Cork, Ireland

14, 15 & 16 November 2014
Friday: 6pm to 8pm Opening Ceremony
Saturday: 10am to 7pm
Sunday: 10am to 5pm

The Aula Maxima
University College Cork
Western Road
Cork, Ireland

Contact: Peter Tadd
Email: maitreyatourcork@gmail.com

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VIRIS – Scare Tour – Washington Street

Written by funknsomething. Posted in Community, Directory, Entertainment, Events, Features, Funk N Something, News, People, Scene

 

THE VIRIS IS HERE… .

Can you survive the Zombie horde? Enter our containment zone for decontamination. Armed marines will guide you, The Last Survivors, through a treacherous tour of terror. You just need to stay alive. Listen to the marine if he tells you DON’T MOVE, don’t move, because if the zombies see you it’s GAME OVER.

Visit the scare tour on Washington Street Experience the Fear, but be careful it’s Infectious

Open nightly 6-10pm from 17 October to 2nd November!

 

WWW.VIRIS.IE

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