In this episode Joe Walsh talks to his life long best friend Mark Nesbitt, Mark is a top stylist and salon owner in Belfast City Centre, He takes us in a trip down memory lane from Belfast's first pride in a double decker bus in 1991 and revisits the top gay spots including the Crow's Nest, the Parliament bar and lots more. Trigger warning: viewers may find some topics discussed triggering as we cover the troubles and sexual abuse.The LGBTQIA+ Heritage Project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. License: This video is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

Part 2 of Joe Walsh’s conversation with Greg R. Baird delves deeper into the current climate surrounding DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) in the United States, and how shifting national attitudes are affecting LGBTQIA+ communities. Greg also reflects on the profound and enduring impact of Matthew Shepard’s murder, a tragedy that shook the nation and continues to shape conversations around hate crime legislation and LGBTQ+ safety.

Content Warning: This episode includes references to homophobic violence and murder. Listener discretion is advised.

Despite the difficult themes discussed, the episode concludes with a message of hope, resilience, and determination for the future of LGBTQIA+ rights and community action.

© LGBTQIA+ Heritage Project This episode description isshared under a Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial–NoDerivatives(CC BY-NC-ND) licence. Do not use, reproduce, or adapt without explicitpermission from the LGBTQIA+ Heritage Project.

In this episode, Joe Walsh sits down with Greg R. Baird, a Chicago-based global lecturer renowned for his work in LGBTQIA+ civil rights, allyship, and community engagement.

Part 1 dives into Greg’s powerful personal journey—beginning with his coming-out story and the spark that ignited his lifelong commitment to LGBTQ+ activism during his university years. Greg also reflects on his involvement in two deeply significant documentary projects exploring the Pulse nightclub shooting and the murder of Matthew Shepard, offering insight into how these events shaped both his advocacy and the wider movement for equality.

© LGBTQIA+ Heritage Project
This episode description is shared under a Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial–NoDerivatives (CC BY-NC-ND) licence.
Do not use, reproduce, or adapt without explicit permission from the LGBTQIA+ Heritage Project.

In part two Joe Walsh chats with Shane Cassidy about the early days of the phone helplines, the early gay scene and the fight for gay spaces and their importance. viewers are advised there is some discussion on sensitive topics such as suicide, murder, drug use and violence. If you are impacted by any of these issues and would like to speak to someone please contact one of the organisations below:

If you're at risk of self-harm or feeling anxious, you can telephone Lifeline. The helpline is confidential, free and open 24 hours every day.

Lifeline - 0808 808 8000

The LGBTQIA+ Heritage Project is fundedby the National Lottery Heritage Fund. License: This video is licensed under aCreative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

In part one Joe Walsh chats with Shane Cassidy about coming out in the 1980s after being in a heterosexual relationship and having a child. Moving from "the sticks" of Lurgan to the bright lights of Belfast's budding gay scene in The Crow's Nest, Carpenters club with the secret door that opened on to another world of gay abandon. Join us for this fabulous trip down memory lane.

Creative Commons Licence Notice:This episode is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Feel free to share it, but please credit Queeritage and do not alter or use it commercially.

Join us with clinical sexologist and relationship therapist Mardi Kennedy as we explore the ins and outs of Bisexuality to celebrate Bi Visibility week. CC BY 4.0 Licence

in this short episode to round off the year 2025 Joe Walsh talks to Grainne Gibson who is just about to move on to a new job after ten fabulous years working with children and young people and supporting same sex families with HereNI. Grainne reflects on her time in the role and looks to the future of same sex family support in the north of Ireland

The LGBTQIA+ Heritage Project is fundedby the National Lottery Heritage Fund. License: This video is licensed under aCreative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

Part 2: In this episode of Queeritage, Joe Walsh sitsdown with acclaimed author and playwright PaulMcVeigh to explore what it meant to grow up gay in Belfast during the Troubles

Paul discusses his novel The Good Son and his play The Big Man, which premieredat the Lyric Theatre as part of the Belfast International Festival, offer powerful insights into masculinity, identity, and survival.

Paul also speaks about his more recent projects, including I Hear You, and where listeners can find his work—check out local stores such as Paperxclips and No Alibis for copies of his books.

The conversation rounds out with a look at modern queerintimacy, sex, and hookups, contrasting past and present experiences of connection in Belfast’s LGBTQIA+ community.

Creative Commons Licence Notice:
This episode is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Feel free to share it, but please credit Queeritage and do not alter or use itcommercially.