No 4 MacCurtain Street Gay Centre Cork 1970s
Cork's first Gay Centre opened at No. 4 MacCurtain Street in 1976.
The Gay Centre at No. 4 provided an important space for the LGBT community. It was established by the Cork Branch of the Irish Gay Rights Movment (IGRM).
Weekend discos and social events were held here up to the mid 1980s. It was described as 'the best club ever', with a great sense of community and fun. It was really important to have a safe space where LGBT people could be openly affectionate and dance together. It was a time when it was not safe for LGBT people to hold hands publicly and gay men in particular were subjected to public harassment and assaults.
Prior to the opening of the Gay Centre there were social networks and gatherings in Cork. There was a circuit of 'fabulous gay parties' (Dave Gordon interview) and meetings in various venues including the Imperial Hotel, Green Room and Le Chateau.
A telephone helpline and counselling service, Tel-A-Friend, was set up to provide support and advice to LGBT people. Newsletters were produced to provide information on the community and to challenge misinformation and prejudice. In 1977 four editions of Corks Crew were produced. In 1978 the Cork IGRM began to publish the newsletter Sapphire.
Cork's fist lesbian meeting was held in the Gay Centre at No. 4 MacCurtain Street on 30th January 1978.
The Cork IGRM also engaged in media interviews including a 1978 radio programme on Homosexuals in Cork. In 1979 RTE broadcast an interview with Cork gay couple, Arthur Leahy and Laurie Steele.