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This article was originally published on 28 June 2014.
DECLAN FLYNN WAS 31 years old when he was killed by a gang of four in Fairveiw Park in 1982.
The Aer Rianta worker was set upon by four youths in the park who were aged between 14 and 19 years old. He was kicked, beaten with sticks and robbed. Flynn was left on the path to die.
What was the motive behind the attack? He was gay.
His four attackers admitted during their trial they had been “queer bashing” in the park that day.
In March 1983, the four attackers were given suspended sentences between one and five years, sparking what is considered by some as the first large-scale demonstration in Dublin for gay rights.
Outrage
In outrage at the sentencing and in protest against violence against gay men and women in Ireland, the gay community, the unions and supporters marched from Dublin city centre to Dublin’s Fairview Park.
A newspaper from the time reported that seven hundred turned out to march.
While there had been small scale marches, this was the first time a group of people, not just from the gay community, gathered to demand equal rights for all.
“I knew Declan quite well. He was a lovely person, shy and kind. His tragic death really was a turning point. It was significant because it got the whole community out together. People were revolted by the sentencing. There was solidarity amongst people against what had happened to Declan. It really was an early manifestation of support for gay rights,” said Senator David Norris, who was pivotal, along with other people, in the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Ireland.
In 2013, a Dublin City Councillor proposed that the Fairview footbridge to be named the Declan Flynn Memorial Bridge in his honour.
While the matter was discussed by the council at the time, the matter didn’t proceed further.
The Fairview march in 1983 outstripped the Pride parade that was organised for later that year for many reasons, such as homosexuality still being a criminal offence at the time.
People who took part in the Fairview march walked alongside a large trade union presence, as well as those that were not from the gay community, meaning it was less identifiable for people to take part in.
The first pride parade was organised by the National Lesbian and Gay Federation for June 1983 and followed a route through the city centre of Dublin from St Stephen’s Green to the GPO on O’Connell Street.
The Fairview march and the Pride parade in 1983 were not the first gay rights demonstrations in Dublin. Although there had been no ‘pride’ marches in the capital, there had been marches protesting against the criminalisation of homosexuality.
“The movement really began in 1973/74. We were unaware of the Stonewall riots that had taken place in New York, so we were really acting independently,” said Norris.
I was at the first march. There was just seven of us. I held a banner that said ‘Homosexuals are horrendous’ – it caused quite a stir, practically causing the 46A bus go into the gates of Stephen’s Green.
He said that it was a big deal for people to openly take to the streets campaigning for gay rights as it was still illegal.
“One girl that was on the march walked up Dawson Street so she wouldn’t have to pass by her place of work on Grafton Street. It really was like that,” said Norris.
He recalled how they had a picket outside the Department of Justice.
One burly man pulled up in a truck with a carpet for the government department. ‘Jaysus, fucking queers’ he said when he saw us. Then the other fellow with him said, ‘I don’t care – a picket’s a picket.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie, Brian Finnegan, editor of Gay Community News (GCN) said that march should be remembered. “So few people were out of the closet at that stage so it was hard to fight the fight back then,” he said.
March
“The march for Declan Flynn took place 10 years later and it was huge. People, not just from the gay community, marched against how the police and courts had handled the case,” said Finnegan.
Following the 1983 Pride parade, the attendance at the marches dwindled, with just handfuls showing up.
Ireland in the 1980s was going through a lot of difficulties, it wasn’t really until the 1993 march that there was an explosion in popularity.”
In 1993, the Victorian laws criminalising sexual acts between men were removed from Ireland’s statute book.
Finnegan said the decriminalisation of homosexuality was a fundamental shift for the Pride parade.
“I was there at the Pride March in 1993 and I had attended the one the previous year. There was something very different about the 1993 march. It was a celebration,” said Finnegan.
“It really exploded that year. It was around that time that Ireland was changing too. We had new money, we were doing well. We had a self-confidence about ourselves.Pride had always been about a right of passage, but it was also about fighting for gay rights. In 1993, it truly felt like Pride was all about a rite of passage for gay people.Before that, it always was that too, but it was taken in trepidation. In 1993, there was no fear of that.”
While he said that it is about a statement of visibility, in 1993, Finnegan said that the gay community were there in huge numbers saying “we absolutely deserve equality. No one is going to make us feel bad about ourselves”.
After 1993, Finnegan said there was a fall off again in the numbers attending, but in recent years, there has been a resurgence in the parade’s popularity.
“Pride has evolved with Dublin city and with Ireland,” said Finnegan.
The Pride parade is about being proud of who you are, said Norris, who added that it is not all about the Mardi Gras element that is so often portrayed in the media.
“I have a problem with the way the media interpret the parade every year. They only show the ‘plastic tits, no knickers’ style photos. That is a part of the parade but it is only an element of it,” said Norris, who said coverage of the huge delegation of police forces from around the world that marched last year, in uniform, was not given enough coverage.
“The Mardi Gras images are always splashed across the newspapers and they are great fun, but there are people there that are deeply serious too. I am not in anyway saying that these people are not serious too – just look at the likes of Panti who is glamorous, politically on point and witty too. I just think the flamboyance can sometimes make people dismissive of the event,” said Norris.
While Finnegan said a lot has changed for the gay community over a relatively short period of time, the message of Pride is still the same. “It is still a rite of passage,” he said.
“It is great to see 17 year olds there celebrating their passage to adulthood and sexual orientation. Not only that, but to see a whole community embrace that and welcome them – that is a huge part about what it is about now. It is wonderful to see that,” said Finnegan.
Norris said that young people don’t need to be as afraid as they were in the past, but said “queer bashing” still happens today.
Finnegan recalled one of his first Pride parades where a woman spat in his face and said “God hates you”.
“No matter how permissive society gets, gay people are still marginalised. People are still called gay in derogatory fashion, still called faggot – but the Pride parade is not about that – it is about a loving thing,” said Finnegan.
“After that woman spat in my face and told me God hated me I said, ‘well, I love you’. This march is not about hate, it is not a thing of anger, it is a love thing. It is about loving yourself,” he concluded.
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I remember how shocking it was when Declan was battered to death. I lived near Fairview at the time. I couldn’t believe how vicious people could be. It was a regular occurence at the time – people being beaten up for being gay. We have a lot to thank those campaigners of that time, who, when it wasn’t glamorous or popular, went out to protest for gay rights. Like the feminists and other campaigners in history we owe them a great debt. And to people like Declan who just wanted to be accepted and respected.
“Wasn’t glamorous or popular” is a understatement. Being gay then was unbearable. The first words out of near everybodies mouth was quêer, faggôt, pervert or paedo. I think the church promoted this attitude as did most of the world.
We have come a long way and people here have seen through the hate.
It is great to live in Ireland without having to look over your shoulder most of the time.
Hope I see the time that the world catches up with the people of here.
Happiness and freedom to all.
Just 4 months ago, a lesbian couple were beaten up – one unconscious – in Limerick. I don’t think the Gardaí ever caught the attackers. Apparently the attackers assaulted them because they were gay. I don’t know why the story wasn’t more prominent in the media at the time.
http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/lesbian-couple-beaten-unconscious-ireland260215
Spitting on someone while berating them with a Godly mandate for the “crime” of being created Gay.How arrogant how rude how disgusting.
Instead of a pious religiosity viewing people who are different with contempt view them simply as human beings.
Love is love. As a straight man what business is it of mine or anyone else’s what consenting adults do? Sorry you don’t get a pass to discriminate regardless if you prescribe to the reputed teachings of a galilean carpenter or a prophet with a winged horse and child wife or if your a devout pastafarian.
It would serve society better to view people as equal human beings,with the same spectrum of emotion and the same capacity for compassion and the same potential of intelligence.Never look down on someone unless your helping them up.
Very well said JPS. Have a fantastic weekend everyone who is attending the celebrations. All people have the right to be with whoever they want- it’s all about the love.
For the God living people out there remember Love your neighbour as yourself…. (And yes I am a practicing catholic but one who sees fault in the church’s teaches but not on the idea of a higher spirit and his teachings of compassion and kindness and acceptance towards my fellow persons)
Hold your head up everyday.There is nothing wrong with you.Soon LGBT people will be treated as equals by law.Until then just be yourself
Enjoy the weekend! :)
Now there’s a parade to be proud of! Go on you good things!
Poor fella . Fair view park can be notoriously bad , people were attacked and beaten in their for being their late at night, remember the heart breaking storie of that Italian student …he was paralysed by a thug when he tried to retrieve an item a third thug had stolen … Wicked thugs out there .
I took part in the march in protest at the disgraceful sentences handed down after the Fairview killing.
I had interviewed the lad’s mother and a Gay journalist friend asked me to accompany him on the march.
Most people looked on in silence but there were the usual mindless comments directed at the marchers also,
It had been the latest in a series of attacks in the city on Gay people.
Looking back I was aware of Stonewall etc but among the cohort of young people I moved in then Gay rights was just another issue to be fought for in the goal of a more liberal country.
Campaigns for contraception, divorce, abortion, the right to a secular education and healthcare etc were more prominent.
The past does seem like another country.
@don lavery
“…. the disgraceful sentences handed down after the Fairview killing.”
I agree. Judges swear an oath that they will act with no fear, no favour and no ill will. Obviously, Judge Gannon did not adhere to that oath. In addition to that, the ringleader of the attack on Declan Flynn went on to rape a woman who was seven months pregnant.
The judgement of the European Court of Human Rights on the David Norris case forced the Irish government to abolish the legal bigotry that existed towards homosexual men.
By the way, here’s the Indo article on the case.
Judges don’t just discriminate against LGBT when sentencing in this country, we’re all denied justice. I’d be in favour of marching to end violence and injustice for all of our people, not just a subsection.
You’re right John. Our justice system is a sham. This is only one of thousands of cases of gross injustice.
@John Xavier
I didn’t say that judges discriminate against homosexuals today. There is no evidence of bigotry in the judiciary today. Nobody is being discriminated against by a judge.
Zappone & Gilligan v Revenue Commissioners?
A finding against Same Sex Marriage “just because”?
As I was growing up it never occurred to me that people could be criminalised for a sexual preference for something between 2 consenting adults. I started college in 93 and there was an LGBT society on campus so it just seemed normal to me. Unfortunately in the years since I’ve had arguments with friends who do think there’s something wrong with being gay. the classic one being: “i’m not homophobic, but gay men shouldn’t be allowed teach primary school kids”. Myself & others have argued ourselves blue in the face to try and make these types realise that gay does not mean paedophile…
Happy Pride everyone! I am proud to say I witnessed my 17 year old cousin come out to our elderly, very Catholic, grandparents last weekend and she was met by nothing but love and support. Ireland is changing, albeit slowly.
I think Ireland changes so fast.
This year I introduced my girlfriend to my maternal grandmother and paternal grandfather. The response was ‘…..meh’. Just the response I wished for, but didn’t think would happen. They don’t care if she’s female, they care if I’m happy and she’s a good person. Both boxes are well and truely ticked.
Our country has come a very long way in such a short space of time, and we have a lot to thank these people for. Have an amazing day!
The job isn’t finished yet though.let’s not get complacent
The mrs and myself heading into this later on. Guaranteed to be one of the best days and nights out in town all year! Great buzz and atmosphere around!
I dont care what a person sexuality is as long as people are happy. I however not a big fan of the parade.
It’s not for everybody!
happy pride day to everybody.
Born Gay follow the ray.
Born Straight refuse to hate.
Why are Gay people incapable of hate? What about intolerance and bigotry within the ‘rainbow’?
it’s just a saying John, calm your pants!!
Never heard this before ! Brilliant :)
Have a fantastic day everyone!
To call the Fairview four ‘animals’ is an insult to animals. Animals don’t kill for pleasure in the way that these humans did. But Pride reminds us that from this kind of hate springs love and that love trumps hate everytime. Enjoy the day everyone.
Great article guys…thank you
Ah our Judges favourite punishment, the suspended sentence.
have to say I witnessed a judge( 3 weeks ago in Dublin) point out how messy suspended sentences are and said how they actively avoid them.
I set up bars for this gig every year and it’s one of the best days in dublin. It’s nearly as good as arthurs day.
I went to school with Declan’s sister, Lorraine. If she’s reading this – or someone who knows her is reading this – I’d love to get in touch. Thank you.
Happy pride x
Unfortunately I can’t make it today. For all of you that head out, have fun, stay safe, be proud, make us proud, raise a glass but not eyebrows! Pride is a time to show your pride, not excessive skin.
Can’t wait for next year already!
Pride is a time to be proud of who you are Ailbhe, show as much skin as you like people, its yours to show.
I’m extremely proud of who I am. I don’t agree with people that march in next to nothing, like the guys in leather chaps and g strings, one walking the other on a lead I saw 2 years back. It’s a family day, kids should be welcomed.
Pride is about equality and acceptance, not shock and awe.
I understand where you are coming from Ailbhe, this issue always comes up for Pride. Personally, I am conflicted on it.
I just don’t think indecent exposure is appropriate. If those two guys did that on any other day at 2pm in public, they would be arrested. It should be family friendly and inclusive. I’m all for going mad in a night club, but not in public, in the middle of the day like that. Thankfully the organisers try to discourage it.
At the St. Patricks day parade in my home town we had female dancers wearing nothing but body paint and a thong and nobody got arrested. It’s the pageantry of the day, people want to be able to express themselves and I don’t see why a guy in pair of chaps would cause the event to be unsuitable for children.
I personally think exposure in front of children in very inappropriate. We will just have to agree to disagree I suppose! Anyway, if you head into town, I hope you have a great day.
What do you mean by”exposure in front of children” exactly???.. Are you talking about being Gay or is it something else!…
Not being gay Fay. In my opinion we should be free to kiss, hold hands with our partners and behave just like the rest if society. I disagree with those at pride that wear assless chaps, mankinis and other inappropriate attire. It is a backwards step in promoting equality. The nay sayers use this kind of conduct to imply that we are all inappropriate, devient and attention seekers. In truth, those are a minority. The majority are just like you or I.
It’s a carnival atmosphere, there should be space for everyone… you’re being a bit naïve saying this is inappropriate. For too long in Ireland the powerful decided what “we” should (should not) do, so I completely disagree with curtailing freedom. Everyone was well-behaved, so I don’t see the problem.
Yes, the guys in chaps are a minority: that IS the point, they have the right to be a MINORITY!
While you’re complaining, you should also know that gay men in chaps didn’t attack someone on the street near TCD last night, and it wasn’t gay guys in chaps around Central Bank plaza, who were very rowdy, quite drunk and causing a lot of hassle for the Gardaí and regular folk in Temple Bar, I’d hope you’d complain that issue…
the violent incidents have nothing to do with ailbhe points. I agree with her about the parade, the assless chaps etc are over the top and are a reason many people complain about the parade. Why can’t it be fun and festivity not nudity on show.
There’s more nutidty at the St Patrick’s Day parade than there is at Pride but no one seems to be bothered with that.
Hope its a great , peaceful and full of laughter for all …
What a brilliant and informative article. Thank you.
Dublin Pride is now one of the best in the world. The street party atmosphere is electric. Anyone, gay or straight would enjoy the day.
To the organisers of todays parade. It really needs an 18+ rating. Guys wearing only thongs carrying sex toys? Are they honestly proud of this? or another guy completely exposed from behind. ? No problems at all with the parade, but it seems at times to reduce the person to one single aspect. I would never bring a child to a parade like this.
Journal.ie seems to have omitted THOSE photos from TODAYS parade.
We went to pride in 2012. Had the best weekend ever in Dublin. It’s much better than the London one. Some friends are over in Dublin this weekend. I can’t make it im stuck in the canaries for 3 weeks. Have a lovely day.
Live and let live.. There’s a whole lot more hurt in the world than being gay.
To all my Gay friends, have a Great Day/Night!!.
The Sydney mardi gra parade & festival attracts 300,000 participants every year – gays, lesbians, transgenders, bisexuals, heterosexuals, all orientations without exclusion or bias. One of the best events I’ve ever been to and a fantastic example of togetherness. Here’s to a successful era of pride parades in Dublin. Let the good times roll
Happy Pride everyone!!
just be gay and get on with ur life and stop rubbing every ones noes in it ffs
Noes? I don’t know what a noes is or how to rub it or what you think its being rubbed in….
Err, why are you even commenting here?
Sound principle behind the original march.
Pity it’s morphed into such a disgusting spectacle over the years.
A license for obscenity.
You’ve clearly not taken part then….
Noah, I totally agree. I don’t see the need to march in the first place. If there was a heterosexual March there would be people up in arms about it.
Happy Pride tout le monde!
Pride yesterday was just lovely, with a whole pack on new kids on the block, smiley and enthusiastic, who hopefully will never have to encounter the hate, barriers and obstacles that our generation has endured… so kids, be nice to the “old” gays who opened the door for you all and never let it get shut again!
Very nice article indeed, and it is vital to remind people of the fate of Declan Flynn and its integral part in our history. There were also a couple of other cases at the time (I remember one other murder in Ranelagh?) and nobody was every caught. The violence against LGBT is still a problem today, and we need to be vigilant against the haters who are still around.
I hope everyone had a lovely pride and enjoyed the day that was in it.
A day to keep your kids out of town so.
Happy pride
Hope everyone had a great day in what has been a great year for human rights in Ireland
Property charge, water charge, Life time rating charge, a new bin charge, cut in single parents allowance, etc etc NO IT IS NOT a good year for human rights…
Please proof read before posting.
the funny thing is that the last few pride marches have attracted tons of teeny knackerettes, and inevitably, where knackerettes gather it will attract their male equivalent, the sham. Saw tons of em drinking in town today.
Only a matter of time before the knackbags turn it into another paddys day.
Why do they have to rub it in your face
queer situation in town today
But Gay Parades in others countries are about having sex in public, that is how they end up especially in the U.S. and Germany. Aren’t gay parades here not based on what other countries do by having them. And is this story not an excuse for the gay parade?
have your say