By Ash Harter
Although Ireland legalized gay marriage after The United States, the country is leaps and bound ahead of the US when it comes to queer culture. Walking though the streets of Dublin, one will feel safer than walking through the streets of any major city in the South. This is because to the rate of sexual orientation or transgender-related hate crimes are on the decline in Ireland.
According to the BBC, crimes related to sexual orientation fell from 384 to 362. In the same article, it states that crimes related to transgender individuals fell from 68 to 63.
In Ireland, here were multiple spaces that were obviously spaces for queer individuals. Restaurants or public spaces with big, rainbow hearts or flags on storefronts. It felt like stepping onto an alien planet.
One café that I went to had their support for the queer community front and center. With a massive rainbow heart in the window as well as little ones on the menus, Lemon Jelly Café wanted you to know that you were in a safe space. Their message was received loud and clear. Their website does not say anything about them being specifically a queer space, but the décor tells a different story.
The main star of downtown Dublin was The George Bar. It is the self-proclaimed “Heart of LGBT” Ireland, and it certainly lives up to that title. The George is Dublin’s only LGBTQ nightclub. There are different activities every night such as Witchy Wednesday, Drag Contests and shows, as well as live music.
During my time in Dublin, I went to The George three separate nights. I saw three drags shows and attended BINGO night. Something that I learned while I was there is that Bingo is different in Europe than it is in America. Even though I went multiple times, there was only one repeat act.
According to their website, The George was originally a shellfish tavern in 1780. In the early 1800s, it ventured in the liquor and spirits. It wasn’t until the 1990s that the bar became a queer space.
The venue was small with limited seating both upstairs and on the balcony with a secluded outside area for if you needed to go out and get some air. Due to the limited space, the club tended to get crowded and quickly. To secure a seat, one would have to arrive at least an hour or so before the main event of the evening. Even so, the event would start fashionably late.
Two out of the three times I attended an event at The George, I had to fill in the limited standing room. The crowd would bunch together near the stage, making it hard to see the queens performing if not for the two low quality TVs that were set up on opposite corners of the bar.
I do not have much to compare this experience to when it comes to clubs or bars in America. I had never been to one prior to going to Dublin. I am glad that my first experience was in such a welcoming and inclusive space. I could compare the acts to ones that I have seen in the past, but that feels unfair. However, the content was different.
During the first show that I attended, one of the queens was willing to expose more skin than America would have deemed appropriate. Latex or otherwise. I know that censorship is different in Europe, but I did not know that it would also translate over to live performances as well.
In conclusion, my time in Dublin highlighted a striking contrast between Ireland and the United States when it comes to queer culture and inclusivity. While both countries have made significant strides toward LGBTQ+ rights, Ireland has cultivated a unique, vibrant atmosphere where queer individuals can feel safe, celebrated, and supported. The decrease in hate crimes, the prevalence of queer-friendly spaces like Lemon Jelly Café, and the lively, inclusive environment at The George bar all point to a culture that embraces diversity in a way that feels more natural and integrated than what I have experienced in America. The freedom of expression, the openness to different identities, and the lack of judgment from the community create a truly welcoming space that continues to evolve and flourish. Ultimately, my experience in Dublin was not just about discovering new places or performances; it was about witnessing a culture where queer people are treated with respect and where their presence is both visible and appreciated.