2001
In October 2001, the GAA threatened legal action with the makers of GI (Gay Ireland) accusing the magazine of ‘bringing the association into disrepute’ over the use of county jerseys [Kerry, Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kilkenny and Mayo] in chap-on-chap billboard snogs.
18 years later…
O’Neills are now selling Pride collection GAA gear. pic.twitter.com/OFgeRlsJwv
— Alan (@alanlaw) June 27, 2019
2019
The GAA licences official Gay Pride county jerseys.
Good times.
Hon Mayo.
GAA’s involvement in Dublin Pride ‘isn’t just a token gesture’ (Sky News)
Sponsored Link
I really like this poster
Me too but you cant use the official jerseys without permission
ya can. and if there was anyone who could block you, it’s not the GAA. They don’t own the rights to individual county brands, although an entitled bully organisation like that certainly would believe they do.
Viacom Outdoor also refused to display the ads on their billboards.
I actually remember a very bitter dispute between PremierView (the Tipp ultra lads at the time) and the Tipp County Board over them using the Crest on the site
TBF
The County Board were more aggrieved at various commentaries so used their trademark rights to act the ends in ox
Lowry might well have been still involved there at the time
Ara’ again
This must be 20 year ago
But we never had any hassle on Clarehurlers at the time
Unless Mattie and Ger kept it between themselves
Although I doubt they kept stuff like that from me
Pride for profit, nothing else
Homosexuality is no big deal in Ireland anymore. I think that this pic is a weak attempt by Pride to try and create controversy where none exists.
Still a good pic though
But (if I have you and the story above right) the picture is from 2001 so it would have been a big deal back then?
I have no problem with the GAA taking issue with anyone using their emblems and the like without permission, but to use the term ‘bring the game into disrepute’ is a bit much now. But I have heard a lot of positive noises about how the GAA is trying to be so much more inclusive so lets be glad of that? Maybe they are not doing a good job of it, but they are trying it would appear (and please correct me if I am wrong on this?)
It’s from 18 years ago, you idiot.
Who set up GI and what happened to it? A story there for Broadsheet to cover, I am sure! It would be interesting to know what celebrities were supportive of it.
A ‘Preposterous’ conflict of interest.
Interesting quite positive piece here on the ad from the American Irish “Irish Echo”.
“Celebrating its launch this week is the country’s first gay lifestyle magazine, Gi (Gay Ireland). Heralding this cultural milestone is an ad campaign plastered on billboards throughout the country. The artwork in the ads features male models, posing as GAA players, in passionate clinches. The pictures are accompanied by the tag line, “Relax. It’s a gay thing.”
Gi magazine (the “i” is small, presumably to avoid confusion with military titles) is the brainchild of Irish publisher John Ryan, whose last major project was the successful VIP magazine. The title is aimed primarily at the gay male community, and will feature lifestyle issues, celebrity interviews, fashion news and politics.
Ryan told the Irish Star that his reasons for launching the publication were twofold: it was commercially viable, and it’s a “reasonably important magazine” for its target audience. And what’s with the GAA ad theme? “We wanted to capture the epitome of Irish masculinity,” said Ryan.“The GAA footballer and hurler are the last word in Irish manhood.”
I am sure Frilly Keane would agree with the last sentence!
Is the John Ryan quoted in the piece John Senior of Bloomsday fame or John Junior of this house?
Conall, Brian Finnegan (now with GCN) was the editor and myself and Melanie Morris were the publishers. It was a lovely looking mag but we couldn’t get the ads.
Oddly enough Conall
No
My dream man
Is neither a hurler or a footballer
And wouldn’t know John Fenton from John Troy
A few other things while I’m here;
I’ve only just been reminded that on a BS.tv Pride special last year I wore my Cork jersey
Arguing that PRIDE is not just a gay quare whatever yer having yerselves thing
When those billboards launched back in the day they were the biggest talking point in the GAA since Jimmy Cooney and the sit-in
I remember insisting that the lads were too good-looking to be Kerry players so everyone should calm down
And posting something about Gi not using Kilkenny lads ’cause no money would pay someone to kiss those ugly apes in public
Needless to say I got the usual aggro from the usual suspects
Yet. Now. What 20 years on
That campaign remains the most powerful and impactful of any launch
In any market
So JR Jnr can still hold on to that All Star
Happy Pride everyone
I’m walking with Marco tomorrow so if you see us around Merrion Sq please do say hi
Wait’ll you see what he’s doing with me hair
Controversy!??!
No proud Kerryman I know would ever stick the gob a Galway fella
In fairness that arguably the best irish magazine cover (i’m sure it was a cover as well as a billboard campaign on its launch… )
Conski, just the billboards. Brendan Courtney and Brian Dowling were on the first cover.
Ah, 2001 a distant blur.
Okay so best Oirish guerilla marketing campaign ?!? I’m trying hard to give away this damn award – so somebody just take it
Heheheh
Ah I remember it well
Any pics of camogie players?
I agree. Equality and all that.
Here you go
Tats and all
She’s going to put manners on ye
https://www.sportsjoe.ie/gaa/ashling-thompson-gym-routine-162181
Brilliant article by Peter Thatchell today about how the LGB+ have sold out Pride and settled for a conventional Homo Hetro lifestyle.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/28/pride-rainbow-branded-capitalism-stonewall-lgbt
It is, and very pragmatic.
The caption uses a line from the song ‘as time goes by’
Another line from that song is
‘Woman needs man, and man must have his mate’
Written by a gay fella.
Had he something against lesbians?
Main problem here is when you put Gi I hear “gee”
Am I allowed say gee on Broadsheet?
GI pronounced that way would have been an excellent name for a lesbian magazine in fair.
+ 1
Please
Gentlemen
Be Gentlemen
The more you act like a lady, the more [we’ll] act like gentlemen!
(adapted from Sydney Biddle Barrows – the Mayflower Madam)
I beg your pardon
You’ll not see me fem-spreading gap legged
Or stinking across seats on the trams
Or anywhere else
And lemme tell ye
My bras are immaculate
Garments of beauty
Occupied or not
Hon Armagh!
Does Hon mean G’wan in GAA circles?
Hon’ ya good ting Lil
On the ball girl
Just seeing this now, thanks Frilly. Helping me build my GAA glossary from ground zero.
Cheezus
The amount of times Ive seen this billboard ad
And the bakes if threads over the years
And comments going into the thousands
I’ve only just noticed the Galway lad grabbing a bitta boob as well as the shift
Randy divil
I suppose they’ve all summer now ta shift and whathaveya
Maybe that’s were it went wrong Galway
•-)
Fair play John but from your own link- at present, there is no current senior intercounty men’s player in hurling or Gaelic football who is openly gay.
I am not arguing for some sort of ‘positive’ discrimination but any family which treats a member as less or different is going to loose them.
maybe none of them are gay
It’s not compulsory
l assume you’re going to a minstrel show tomorrow ?
Over 1000 players and not one gaymer among them? It’s kind of a weird one where team mates know but it is kept out of the public domain.
I’m not judging anyone for that as playing ability is what counts and there is no rule that someone must come out but still, some representation would be good.
By the minstrel show you mean Pride then yes I am.
Frilly would be better informed than me but I don’t recall any negativity when Donal Og came out, my recollection was that he got a lot of support and then it was business as usual.
Ah He was no stranger to aggro
But not for being gay, and I don’t think his coming out was even news to any of us
He was never the most popular lad in hurling
I used to call him cabbagemeself
And he was always the only Cork lad cribbing about stuff on the GAA Boards
He got fierce lucky there after the ’98 League win and their u21 win that same year, and then the 99 senior (hahaha KK)
So coasted for a while on the back of his neighbours Joe Deane and Collars Up Mickie Mickie, and of course his club mate and cousin, The Rock kept his @ss in the game in those early years
But TBF to the lad his game improved enormously in the latter half of his playing career
However he’s no *Nash or Cunningham and he knew that so used other ways to get ahead
Like his getting the lad I used to have to identify as He who cannot be named for legal reasons to do his bio
Along with slagging off Cork supporters and players via his Irish Times column
Anyone remember Spotty Imposters
Donie might have hid behind Gardiner, but that last Cork Strike was all his doing, pulling and stirring
Also his conduct and actions as head of the GPA never rested well with anyone
He was always an obnoxious self-righteous hard man blowhole
I’ve never heard or witnessed anyone comment about his sexuality
A few p155heads in the terraces maybe
But he was no stranger himself for stirring it up with opposing supporters behind the posts.
Frankly, if he ever got a slap or dig off someone, on or off the field, it was probably deserved
He has a big trap and a big opinion of himself
And his relationships with Humphries and the poison dwarf Fitz would have got him more aggro than anyone he was sleeping with
And that’s a fact
*Anthony Nash imo is the best No 1 Cork has ever had, and should have been player of the year 2018.
His book is absolutely fantastic though Frilly.
It was a real eye opener for me, and I read a good few sports bios, that for me was one of the best. ( reading Tiger woods now and it’s also good for different reasons). I got the impression, correct me if I’m wrong, while they weren’t the most talented ever Rebel selection, they made their own way with graft and pure Rebel spirit, sadly lacking today. Also in Jimmy Barry Murphy and Ger Cunningham, you’re referring to two of the finest players ever to play the game, at least in my opinion, a bit churlish to compare to those?
Talk about just wanting to get a dig in for the sake of it
I wouldn’t touch anything written by that convicted Paedophile
Nor would I contribute a royalty
Secondly
Where did I mention JBM?
Lookit I’m off out now for the day
But I’ll try and keep it picked out for ya
So you can keep up with the durty elbows
ah for jaysus sake!
We didn’t know he was so inclined at that time.
Anyway it’s a great book and he was a great writer as well, don’t be so narrow-minded please.
You’re better than that.
I brought in other greats of the era of Ger for context – you know- it’s a team sport ?
Don’t worry I’ll be keeping the umpire in here fierce busy as usual, he/she’s a fussy oul divil, keeps consulting Hawkeye every time I chance one from the wing or even a corner position
Have a good day out
Didn’t know!!!!!
WTF planet have you been on
You couldn’t even wonder why under age camogie was featured in his column without getting a cease and desist
Naw’ mind again and again and again
And he’d all his pals rowing in him behind him
Slagging off fantastic contributors, some of best writers I’ve ever known btw, on the forums
Even his own employer did a lot more than turn a blind eye
He even had people blocked and banned across a load of platforms
Think all the 125 reasons I love the GAA that were on the buses back then were all his?
Ever hear of Gary Sliotar
His column during the last Cork Strike was a disgrace
Guess who coined the phrase
More sinned against than sinning
He must have known he’d have need of it one day
Well done AlBi
Here AlBi
https://www.broadsheet.ie/2017/11/03/nowhere-to-hide/
SOQ
You have an ugly craving to out and doxx people
You’re a bitter spitful gossip
Like do you even attend games?
Reality Check
It’s no one’s business on match day who a player sleeps with
As long as they get the job done on the pitch
What business is it of yours?
The supporters, club and team mates of any player only care about performance, results and player welfare
Learn to mind your own business
That’s exactly what I said (as well) and it wasn’t posted! Talk about a double standard
Anyway very well said Frilly , agree 100%
Ahead of its time, Gi.
T’was in fairness
But only by a year or so
However that campaign wouldn’t have had the same impact two or three years down the line
I think JR and the Gi team
Deserve some form of establishment recognition because they definitely changed the tone and the conversation
And brought PRIDE, acceptance, and equality rights forward by a number of years
Of that I have no doubt
Because I was an established player across the GAA forum’s at the time
And the discussions/ threads going, btw remember we’d have very light moderation too
Would go into hundreds and more
I promise ye
Players being gay or whatever didn’t dominate at all
It was all blaggarding, bloggarding and messing
Stuff about handbags, fancy shower gel, and lads with matching kit for training
Or telling fellas there were draws for match tickets and they should pick up a copy and try their luck
Or one of my own openers Out For The Match
Jaysus knows where all that content ended up
Anyway Lil
Have a good one hon’