Cáit Caden speaks to the nephew of Declan Flynn about why Pride is still so important.

Pride is more than just one month or weekend where people can celebrate love, regardless of sexual orientation. It is a chance to remember the sacrifices and struggles people made for their identity. This fight for acceptance was not a walk in the park, however unfortunately for Declan Flynn that’s all that it was.

Declan Flynn was a 31 year old man in 1982, who was beaten to death simply because he was proud of his sexuality, in a time when it was illegal to be gay. Five men between the ages of 17 and 19 years old, as well as one 14 year old child, attacked him as he walked through Fairview park in Dublin. A term which was alien before, soon after entered people’s vocabulary: “Queer-Bashing.”

For Ireland this Pride is more significant to the LGBTI+ community and will resonate throughout the year as it is 25 years since homosexuality was in Irish Law. Declan Flynn’s death will forever serve as a “catalyst” for the Irish Gay rights movement according to his nephew Niall Behan.

“If he hadn’t been murdered would we be living in the same country we are now? I mean my uncle’s murder led to the first gay pride march,” said Behan.

He was always aware of his uncle growing up, from seeing photos in the house as a child to being told the story later on in his teens. “It is still quite raw to talk about as it’s a devastating event to happen to my family. I’m incredibly proud to be his nephew,” said Behan.

Although homosexuality was only decriminalised a quarter of a century ago in Ireland, since then there has been a seismic shift in people’s attitudes towards previously taboo issues.  With the legalisation of same-sex marriage three years ago, Ireland is finally reckoning with its difficult past.

Photo via Flickr.

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