Never ever think that Veda is JUST a drag queen :this Irish tour-de-force is so much more.  She first came onto Queerguru’s radar when we reviewed HOW TO TELL A SECRET’ an excellent documentary on how millennials deal with HIV in contemporary Ireland. As a passionate HIV activist, Veda just exudes her enthusiasm on how she feels about being part of the community’s positivity.

Last night RTE screened the short film on Veda’s life called Pregnant with a Drag Queen. (panic not, on February 27th it will be available globally on  https://www.virginmediatelevision.ie/player/. It is so worth seeking out as it is part surreal drama, part documentary that captures the charismatic Veda so perfectly.  If you haven’t fallen in love with her yet you will do it now 

Filmmaker Colin Brady has directed this thought-provoking and entertaining story that proves drag queens are not made – they’re born.

 

Meanwhile, there’s other good news from Dublin.  The Queen of Ireland, Dr Panti Bliss (self-styled Gender discombobulist, national fucking treasure) has been announced as the Grand Marshal for this year’s St. Patrick’s Parade in London.  When we asked for her reaction sat this honor she replied I spent my first big gay student summer as a freshly minted queer in London, so this won’t be my first time making a holy show of myself in Piccadilly!

Elsewhere in Cork the Republic’s second biggest city, and historically known as the Rebel County there is a new queer Bar that we are shocked to discover is the ONLY one in the City.  Jen Bowler the new owner of VIBE  said. “I want to make this a safe haven for everyone in the community with the promise that the venue is not a pop-up, will not be moved and we are here to stay for good.”

Let’s hope she succeeds as only last September the LGBTQ community took to the streets to protest that Chambers Bar a favorite queer bar had evolved into a (very) straight bar now called  Sunners.