ABOUT
The GALAS
The GALAS was established by the NXF in 2009 and since then has gone on to recognise over 116 individuals, companies & organisations for their outstanding work and contribution.
In 2023, The GALAS will return for the first time since the pandemic on Saturday, October 7th, in the Round Room at the Mansion House in Dublin, hosted by Panti Bliss and Lisa Connell.
This year, we want to acknowledge the contribution of individuals, companies and organisations and their work over the past 2 years to make Ireland (and the world) a better place for our LGBTQ+ community.
Categories
Community Organisation of the Year – paid staff
This Award recognises an outstanding LGBTQ+ organisation, with paid staff, who have actively contributed to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Ireland. This community organisation will have shown considerable leadership & innovation in how they meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ community.
Community Organisation of the Year – volunteer staff
This Award recognises an outstanding LGBTQ+ organisation, run & delivered by volunteers, who have actively contributed to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Ireland. This community organisation will have shown considerable leadership & innovation in how they meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ community.
Volunteer of the Year
This award goes to an individual for their voluntary efforts on behalf of Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community. For the most part, the LGBTQ+ community of Ireland runs on a very special fuel: the efforts of hundreds of volunteers working for organisations around the country. This award honours those LGBTQ+ individuals who unselfishly give their time and energy for the greater good. It is not open to organisations.
Event of the Year
This Award recognises the importance of events for the life of the LGBTQ+ community. The event of the year must have actively promoted LGBTQ+ inclusion and provided a strong platform for LGBTQ+ visibility.
LGBTQ+ Young Trailblazer
This award is given to a young person (between the ages of 18 - 25 years) who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in promoting the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in their community, school, academic institution, workplace or in society, at large. This young person will be considered a trailblazer because they have encouraged and supported other young people to be proud of who they are and how they can contribute to society.
Sports Award
This award goes to a sports group or sporting individual in Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community who has demonstrated leadership in the role that LGBTQ+ people have in sport or has created inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ people in sport.
Arts & Entertainment
This award recognises an outstanding LGBTQ+ individual or group working in the fields of arts or entertainment (this can be an author, playwright, artist, musician, blogger, social media entertainer, actor, director, producer or anyone or group working in the fields of arts, drama, music, theatre, literature, television, digital entertainment or film in Ireland who has created strong & accurate portrayals of LGBTQ+ people and their lives.
Noel Walsh HIV Activism
In memory of GCN’s much-missed HIV editor, Noel Walsh, this award goes to an outstanding individual or organisation working in the Irish HIV and AIDS sector.
GALAS LGBTQ+ Champion Awards
LGBTQ+ Ally
This award recognises an ally (individual, organisation, college, school, or university) of the LGBTQ+ community who has actively supported and made a difference, in exceptional ways, for the community in the last 2 years.
Outstanding Company
This award recognises the contribution that the business community and companies have in promoting the equal treatment and full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in both the workplace and in society. This company will demonstrate its outstanding support by having inclusive workplace culture as well as be visible in the LGBTQ+ community, as a champion, through its support of LGBTQ+ community organisations.
LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group
This Award is to recognise the important role that Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or Employee LGBTQ+ networks have in the workplace. This Award is given to an ERG who has mobilised and contributed to considerable change for LGBTQ+ employees in their respective workplaces.
Person of the Year
The Person of the Year Award recognises an LGBTQ+ individual who has made an outstanding contribution, as a role model and exceptional leader, to the LGBTQ+ community in the last 24 months. Their contribution will have improved the lives of LGBTQ+ people and they will have been recognised by the community for this.
Shortlists
Community Organisation of the Year – paid staff
LGBT Ireland
Midlands LGBT+ Project
LGBTQ Development Project (Cumann na Daoine)
Dundalk Outcomers
Community Organisation of the Year – volunteer staff
Equality For Children
Na Gaeil Aeracha
Kingdom Pride in Kerry
Small Trans Library
Volunteer of the Year
Lisa Daly
Elysha Folan
Daniel Boyne
Morgan Queeney
Event of the Year
Bród na Gaeltachta (Donegal Pride Festival)
Queer Visibility in Football - Bohemian FC
Sick Pride Picnic - Chronic Collective
Dyke Nite Limerick
LGBTQ+ Young Trailblazer
Christine O'Mahony
Morgan Queeney
Ruairi Holohan
Gearoid Folan
Sports Award
Giulia Valentino
Pink Ladies Hockey Team
Sarsfield Rugby Team
Sporting Pride
Arts & Entertainment
Aerach Aiteach Gaelach
Dame Stuffy
Leonardo Guerrero - Lollipop Apparel
Pride Poets
Noel Walsh HIV Activism
Plus Friends
Will Kennedy
Karl Hayden
Poz Vibe Podcast
GALAS LGBTQ+ Champion Awards
LGBTQ+ Ally
Bohemians Football Club
Cork City Libraries Staff
Jeanne McDonagh
Trans Family Support Helpline
Outstanding Company
Aviva
Bank of Ireland
SSE Airtricity
LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group
Bank of Ireland - WithPride Network
Boston Scientific Clonmel Pride ERG
Dept. of Justice LGBT+ Staff Network
G-Force
International Activist
Remy Bonny - Forbidden Colours
Yildiz Tar - Kaos GL Association
John Mathenge Mukaburu - HOYMAS (Kenya)
Person of the Year
Beryl Ohas
Senator Annie Hoey
El Reid Buckley
Ranae Von Meding
Sponsors
Awards recipients
FAQS
When do the nominations close?
Nominations closed on Friday, 28th July 2023.
Who can vote?
Voting is only open to residents and citizens of the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. The GALAS LGBTQ+ Awards recognise the contribution of individuals, groups, organisations and companies from within the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
How does the nomination process work?
The public nominates in each category. A longlist is formed from all nominations. At the end of the nominations process, the longlists for each category will be distributed to LGBTQ+ organisations throughout Ireland. These organisations will select 4x nominees from the longlist who will make it to the shortlist. Shortlisted nominees are selected using the reasons provided in the nominating process and judged against a clear selection criterion provided by the National LGBT Federation.
Is food served at the event?
Canapés will be served along with a drinks reception from 7 to 9pm. (There is no sit-down meal).
Is there a bar at the event?
Yes, there is full bar service before the ceremony kicks off, but table service is only during the event, to cut down on noise. Last orders at 1.30am.
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
Yes, it is important to bring your ticket(s). Even a screengrab of your ticket on your phone will be great. We do find that the Eventbrite app is good but people sometimes delay in accessing it at the ticket area.
How long is the award ceremony?
Drinks and canapes- 7-8pm, Awards 8pm- 10pm.
Is there an after-party?
Yes, there will be a Mother DJ in the same venue, with a full bar until 1.30am.
Is there a dress code? Is this a formal black-tie event?
It's not strictly a black-tie event, but dress to impress!
I have made it to the shortlist. Do I get a complimentary ticket?
Yes, you are entitled to a complimentary ticket. You will be emailed with the promo code that you can use on the seat map. Unfortunately, we cannot provide a complimentary ticket for your guest(s).
I've bought a ticket already, but now I'm on the shortlist/ my group is on the shortlist. Can I get a refund?
Thanks for buying early! Yes, you can get a refund – please email the organisers and we will sort it out.
I can't seem to buy more tickets when I use my promo code.
Correct. You have to log in once and use your code for a complimentary ticket, then login in a second time to buy additional tickets at the table you have chosen.
What's the best way to get seats all together at the same table?
Do not fill in the number of tickets you need with the pull-down tabs on the ticketing site. Instead, click on GET SEATS - this will bring you straight into the seat map and you can pick your seats.
I picked four seats but my receipt says that they are not together. How do I correct this?
See previous question. If you pick seats from the pull-down tabs and then go to the GET SEATS button, you will be brought to the seat map. On the right-hand side will be the number of seats out-bought and where they are seated. If you don't like them just press the trash button beside each ticket and then pick your seats on the map. They will come up on the right-hand side of the page after you pick each seat. Then continue to checkout.
I want to get a table of 10 but they are greyed out or unavailable.
These tables are either booked out already or reserved. If the reservation is cancelled, these tables will be released.
What is the closing date for ticket sales?
When all the seats are sold, we will close off sales. Seats have been put on sale till the day of the event itself, but normally are sold out a week before the event.
I require an accessible seat, are the balcony seats suitable?
Balcony seats are upstairs, and there is no lift access. We recommend that people with accessibility issues book seats at the tables on the ground floor.
Can I buy tickets at the door?
Tickets are limited and only available online. No tickets are sold at the door.
Will there be gender-neutral bathrooms?
Yes, all bathrooms will be marked gender-neutral.
Where can I contact the organiser with any questions?
Email thegalas@nxf.ie with any queries