A lifelong fight for dignity
Arthur Leahy considers himself lucky and doesn’t see anything extraordinary in his ongoing fight for social justice, which has lasted more than 40 years.
His comments come after he was this summer bestowed the 2025 Spirit of Mother Jones Award. The festival organisers had to convince him to attend the ceremony because he felt “other people deserved it more”.
The event saw record attendance and a long standing ovation for Arthur Leahy.
As Cork’s first openly gay man, he had the courage to come out at a time when Ireland was scarred by homophobia, prejudice, and repression. Back then, homosexuality was a crime until it was decriminalised in 1993.
In early 1980s, Arthur and his Australian partner, Laurie, were interviewed for an RTÉ television programme. This was a landmark moment for national visibility — a Cork-based gay couple speaking out when homosexuality was still illegal.
He rarely talks about the hate he faced but enjoys sharing stories of students falling asleep during his university lectures about the challenges gay people faced with the church in the 1980s.
“What a power the church had… I used to give talks at the university. After a few years, students were falling asleep, thinking I was telling a fantasy story.”
“The society had grown to the point where people no longer believed in the very strong church or the strong police force — that kind of repressive society. Huge changes have happened in Ireland since then.”
Arthur calls himself ‘a pathological reader’. He is one of the founders of the Quay Co-op on Sullivan’s Quay, established in 1982 as an inclusive space. Although the business still operates, the bookshop holds a special place in his heart. The Co-op became a safe haven and base for many campaign groups over the past five decades — those fighting for women’s rights, gay rights, and environmental causes.
“We created a strong focus in the Quay Co-op early on and stood up to the church and the very repressive society that existed here. When we made that space in Cork, we began to express ourselves with a strong voice.”
Arthur returned to Cork nearly 40 years old, after working five tough years in London with homeless people in a night shelter. “That was traumatic, but I learned a lot.” Back in Ireland, he joined the emerging gay rights movement alongside David Norris in Dublin.
He recalls confronting the power of the church: “Once, during a campaign, a priest came out in full robes shouting, ‘How dare you!’ My Australian partner at the time, Laurie, with no sense of the church’s authority, just asked, ‘Is there something wrong?’ The priest turned and walked away. That power the church had then is hard to explain now.”
For almost 50 years, Arthur Leahy has been a practical advocate for social justice, inclusiveness, and fairness in Cork. He calls himself a pioneer, always among the first. In 1980, he helped organise the first Irish National Gay Conference in Cork — a nearly unimaginable event back then. He was also a pioneer of Pride parades.
“I went to the first Pride parades in London, Dublin, and Cork. In Cork, there were only 20 people and most covered their faces.”
This year’s Cork Pride, held from 26 July to 3 August, surprised him in a good way.
“The numbers were impressive — overwhelmingly young, full of energy, and unafraid. That’s good to see.”
Arthur also played a vital role supporting those impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. He was a founding member of Gay Health Action and CAIRDE, which were established to provide hands-on support to those affected by HIV/AIDS. Still, he regrets “not being more nurturing during those years, especially through the AIDS crisis”.
His campaigns helped create a more tolerant and fair society. Mr Leahy is active in the Cork Palestine Support Group and sees diversity as a driver of society.
“I remember, going back, the only black people in Ireland were students doing medicine in UCC. Now, when I look around and see so many races passing by, it makes me smile. That’s really good to see.”
He believes Ireland owes much of its positive change to people arriving from abroad.
“Looking back at Ireland’s repressive past, I see that many changes happened because of people coming into Ireland — the energy and motivation they bring for change in society is really positive.”
Arthur is convinced nothing motivates people better than the need for change. With the ongoing housing crisis, he is determined Ireland has enough homes for everyone. What’s missing is the political will.
“There are more empty houses in Ireland now than needed to house everyone. But there’s no political will to act. The system isn’t motivated to change. There’s no reason for anyone to be homeless.”
This year Arthur Leahy turns 80. His whole life has been a battle for justice and human dignity, helping shape a more inclusive Ireland. He is happy to see his country moving forward and making impressive progress over the decades, though he admits he has become “less strident” as he witnesses the inspiring change taking place.