While doing so, they may also face some new challenges. There is no defined way of letting people know about your sexual orientation or gender identity. You may be comfortable opening up to some people about this, but not to everyone. 

No matter what your present situation is, it definitely takes courage to come out. You may want to tell others about this, but some questions would keep troubling your mind. Here, we’ll explore these questions and their appropriate answers:

1. Why should I come out?

This can be the very first question you encounter while thinking about coming out. You may still be slightly uncomfortable with the idea of telling someone about your gender identity or sexual orientation. At the same time you don’t like to be a liar and pretend to be someone you’re not. 

In such a situation, you need to delve deeper within. The right question to ask yourself would be whether hiding would be more stressful than being open about it. It is okay to take your time and not be under pressure to come out. 

Only then you’ll know when the time is right and you’re ready to go ahead with it. You may also feel the need to contact a support group for LGBTIs. There may be such support groups in your country. If not, then you’ll find plenty of help online.

2. What will be my family’s reaction?

When it comes to telling your family about this, any good day would be the right time for it. You don’t even need to worry in what way you’re going to open up about this to your family. There are some who like to tell their family about this face to face. 

Some may like to write a letter or send an email to the most understanding member of the family. At first, the person in question might be shocked or find it difficult to accept it. After a while, he or she will be able to understand you better. This would lead to everyone in the family gradually accepting you the way you are. 

3. How will my friends react?

Friends are valued the most by almost everyone in this world. So, it’s quite natural that you’d be anxious to tell them the truth. First, it is extremely important to choose someone who is the most supportive among your friends. It is always possible that even the best and supportive friend would be surprised to know this. 

He or she may have many questions and may not be able to come to terms with it. Under such circumstances, you must be prepared to answer his or her questions. You must also keep your calm if he or she reacts badly. It just means that your friend needs some time to understand what you’ve told him or her.

4. How should I tell my colleagues?

You can only be efficient at work if you’re open and honest about who you are. It is necessary, therefore, that you open up to the most reliable friend at your workplace. He or she must be someone who is very trustworthy and supportive. 

If the organization has an LGBTI support group for the staff, you can be a part of it. You can also get in touch with the HR department for clarifications with regards to policies of the organization. It is to know whether they offer protection to LGBTIs from direct or indirect discrimination, victimization, and harassment.

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There are many reasons why several individuals across the world take up drag as a profession. For some, it is more of a self-expression while for others it is purely for giving mainstream performances. In the past, most of the drag queens were men who dressed up as women. 

Today, they can be of any gender or sexual orientation. Over the years, drag performances have gained immense popularity in some countries. The popularity of drag queens has now begun to rival even the celebrities from the world of movies. So, let’s take a look at some of the most charming drag queens of today:

1. Panti 

Born Rory O’Neill, he is also known by the stage names Pandora Panti Bliss and Panti Bliss. Besides being a drag queen, he is also a gay rights activist. Born on the 16th of November, 1968, he grew up in Ballinrobe, located in Ireland’s County Mayo. Panti is considered one of the top drag queens in the country. 

He appears at Shirley Temple Bar’s drag queen Bingo show held weekly in one of Dublin’s gay bars. He had also appeared as the hostess of the annual Alternative Miss Ireland pageant from 1996 to 2012. On the 30th of November 2007, he opened a bar in his name in Dublin called ‘Pantibar’.  

2. Tyra Sanchez

This was the stage name of James William Ross IV. He won the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race and was awarded the prize of $25,000. At the time, he was among the youngest contestants in RuPaul’s Drag Race. His first dance single titled ‘Look at Me’ was released in April 2011. 

Sanchez released his second single on the 13th of October 2016 titled ‘Vogue’. Later, he lost interest in his career as a drag queen. This was the result of a heavy backlash on social media for his controversial Twitter posts. After a period of inactivity, he finally announced his retirement from drag in March 2020.

3. Vanda Miss Joaquin

Things were certainly not easy for this Singaporean drag queen at the beginning. A picture of him in the female costume appeared on the Malay-language local newspaper. Soon even his mother came to know about his ‘other’ life and disapproved of it. 

By then, Azizul Mahathir had already become Vanda Miss Joaquin and was performing at the gay-friendly Tantric Bar. It has been over a decade since he embarked on his career as a drag queen in Singapore. Despite this, his mother still wishes that her son could’ve chosen something different as his career.

4. Courtney Act

He was first noticed by a wider audience while competing in Australian Idol’s first season in 2003. Born Shane Gilberto Jenek, he went on to become a popular Australian drag queen, singer, and television personality. He released the debut single ‘Rub Me Wrong’ soon after participating in Australian Idol. 

The title track of his play, Kaleidoscope, was the official song of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Courtney uses the pronoun ‘she’ when referring to his stage name and ‘he’ when referring to his original name.

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In the past, drag queens were gay men or trans-women who impersonated females. Today, gender is becoming less important and all sorts of people are welcome in the drag community. A typical drag show involves lip-syncing songs, dance routines, live cabaret, group performances, or comedy acts. 

It can also be a combination of all these performances. Such shows are mostly hosted at LGBTI bars or clubs. However, they have now expanded to larger venues owing to a considerable growth in their popularity.

History

The history of drag shows can be traced back to the times when the very idea of theater originated. In ancient Greece, women were not allowed to participate on stage. This was the result of a perception that acting was dangerous for them. So, men impersonated women on stage by cross-dressing. 

The modern drag movement began with Julian Eltinge, who was an American vaudeville singer, performer, and actor. He was instrumental in popularizing the act of female impersonation in the early 20th century. Such performers had also had a tough time facing the legal system of the United States in those times. It was against non-normative gender expression. 

Despite all these hurdles, drag shows continued to flourish. The drag queens played an important role in the gay rights movement. Towards the end of the 20th century, drag shows had gained significant popularity.

Attending a drag show

Personal expression is of great importance in the drag culture. Some of the drag events include brunch hosted in a restaurant or a performance given at an LGBTI bar. One can wear anything to a drag event that would be the best expression of himself or herself. Before attending such shows one must check out the website or social media post of the event. 

Some bars host themed drag events while others may host regular drag shows. The individuals who perform in the drag events are freelance artists, who often have difficulties in surviving financially. They rely heavily on tips given by the members of the audience. It would be a good idea to have some change handy. It can be given as a tip to the performer. 

One must always remember that drag performers are human beings. The audience must never behave in ways that would make the performers feel uncomfortable. It is important to treat the drag queens or kings with respect. Before touching them or clicking photos with them, one must take their permission. 

The members of the audience must never boo them. The drag queens and kings work extremely hard to prepare for their routines. Booing them would bring down their mood for the performance. The drag queens or kings who are not popular need a lot of support from their audiences. 

One can attend the local shows to support and cheer for them. Drag shows are events that are not meant to be taken seriously. The members of the audience, therefore, must attend these shows purely with the intention of having fun.

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Earlier, the term ‘gay’ was used in reference to lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals. A bisexual individual is the one who is romantically, sexually, and/or emotionally attracted to people of both the genders. The term ‘transgender’ is used to describe individuals who find their gender identity and/or gender expression different. 

It differs from the gender they had been assigned when they were born. The term ‘intersex’ refers to individuals who do not fit the typical definition of a male or female body. They are born with any of the sexual variations including genitals, sex hormones, or chromosomes.

Myths about LGBTIs that have now been debunked

There was a time when several myths were spread about the LGBTI individuals. This turned a larger section of the society against them. Over the past few years, many of these myths have been debunked. This has happened due to easy access to factual information on the internet. Research and studies have also played an important role in debunking these myths. Here are the some of the greatest myths and facts:

Myth: People become lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender by choice.

Fact: Gender identities and sexual orientations are never a matter of choice. According to research, such things emerge in individuals quite early in their lives. They are never the result of external factors, such as family or social life. 

People may choose how they express themselves in social situations. Their gender identities and sexual orientations are never chosen by them. Neither are they lifestyle choices as some might believe even today.

Myth: Being a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or intersex is a dysfunction that needs treatment.

Fact: The debunking of this widespread myth can be attributed to an important event. The American Psychological Association adopted a resolution in 2009. It was about the attitude of mental health professionals. It instructed them to avoid telling their clients that they can change their sexual orientation through therapy. 

The resolution also pointed out to the fact that being an LGBTI was not a health condition or mental illness. Identifying as LGBTI is a natural process. It is not a condition that can be cured by psychotherapy or any other form of treatment.

Myth: The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex people who hide their sexual orientation from others fit well into society and lead a happy life later on.

Fact: Individuals who identified themselves as LGBTIs hid their sexual orientation or gender identity in the past. This was done to fit into the society they lived in. Unfortunately, this problem continues in many countries that are averse to LGBTI rights. As a result, such individuals go through intense internal struggles. As a consequence, they develop stress and even fall into depression.

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He was the Lord Mayor of the Irish capital during the rule of Charles II of England. It was Sir Humphrey Jervis who had built much of his estate around St. Mary’s Abbey. During the 17th and 18th centuries, this part of Ireland was purely residential. It had some good-looking mansions and each of them had large courtyards and gardens. 

Towards the end of the 18th century, the mansions were replaced by buildings. Many of the residential properties were transformed into places of business. As a result, the entire Capel Street got transformed, eventually becoming one of city center’s most unique commercial streets.

The diverse offerings of Capel Street

You’ll hardly come across the kind of niche shops that Capel Street has in other parts of Dublin. There are many examples to prove this point. Capel Street has a music shop, which has been created exclusively for electronic music equipment. One of the last remaining independent pet shops can also be found on this street. 

Then there’s a shop that exclusively sells camping gear. You can see tarpaulins, rucksacks, and fully-assembled tents hanging from the exterior. It gives out the appearance of a vertical campsite largely owing to the camping gear that cover the shopfront. While exploring this street of Dublin, you’ll find it difficult to locate a franchise shop. 

It seems as if it is entirely lined with independent supermarkets and grocers from different corners of the world. Among them are some of the best Asian supermarkets of Dublin. Capel Street also has Romanian, Russian, Bulgarian, and Moldovan supermarkets.

When you’re going from mid to lower end of the street, you’ll come across Camerino and Brother Hubbard. A multi award-winning local coffee shop and bakery, Camerino can be an ideal spot for lunch. It is a quiet spot for enjoying a delicious sandwich, which is served on their freshly-baked bread. 

Brother Hubbard is yet another favorite among Dublin’s cafes. It offers simple but interesting treats, which never fail to attract food lovers. You’re never too far from the international restaurants as well. Capel Street has some of the best Chinese, Japanese, and Korean restaurants that serve some lip-smacking delicacies. 

A popular attraction for the LGBTIs

The most iconic attraction of Capel Street is Pantibar, which is located at the lower end. It has made Capel Street an attractive place for the LGBTIs to have loads of fun. Every summer, this brightly-colored bar hosts the year’s biggest street party for Pride. It is also an ideal place to savor a pint in the afternoon and spend a grand night out.

Pantibar’s walls have excellent poster artwork and the bar’s compact stage hosts some brilliant performances. These performances come from talented DJs and beautiful drag queens. The stage of this bar also hosts music bingo. The legend behind this elegant LGBTI bar is Panti Bliss, the famous drag queen of Ireland.

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There is a wide range of offerings for those who want to enjoy the most popular drinks of Dublin. If you belong to the LGBTI community and want to sample Dublin’s favorite drinks, you’re at the right place. Here, we present some of the popular drinks you can enjoy while in the Irish capital:

1. Irish whiskey

Traditionally, the Irish whiskey brands Jameson and Bushmills have been a favorite among the city’s bars and clubs. Many won’t appreciate Jameson in cocktails as they like to enjoy this Irish whiskey in its purest form. Those who are new to Irish whiskey can begin with Bushmills. 

In recent times, some of the latest brands have also been in demand, such as Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey and Slane Irish Whiskey. Voted the world’s best bar, The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog of New York teamed up with Darryl McNally. He is the Master Distiller from Dublin Liberties Distillery. Together, they created The Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey. 

2. Irish coffee

The fascination with Irish coffee began in the days of the Second World War. A chef and bartender called Joe Sheridan working at the Foynes Boat Terminal used to greet travelers with hot drinks. Among them were cups of coffee that were spiked with Irish whiskey with cream toppings. 

He jokingly named it the Irish coffee and it achieved instant popularity among several passengers and celebrities. Today, it is served in the cafes, clubs, and bars across Ireland. It was described by the writer William Hill as a delicious combination of Irish whiskey and hot coffee.

3. Guinness

This is an Irish dark beer, which is among the most successful alcohol brands in the world. It is brewed in nearly 50 countries and is Ireland’s best-selling alcoholic drink. The origins of Guinness dates back to 1759, when it was first introduced in the brewery of Arthur Guinness. 

You can easily spot this Irish beer in any of the bars, pubs, or clubs. A decent pint of it would appear like a dark coffee topped with cream. It is served in a tulip-shaped pint glass. Watching it being served would be an experience in itself. 

4. Baileys Irish Cream

This Irish cream liqueur has a declared alcohol volume of 17%. It was invented for Gilbeys of Ireland by a team in 1971 headed by Tom Jago. It looks almost like chocolate milk and doesn’t have a strong taste. This is the reason why it makes for a perfect after-dinner drink. It is best enjoyed during winter evenings while watching a movie. 

As you take in every sip of it, you’ll fall in love with its sweet and indulgent flavor. This alcoholic drink is flavored with cream, a bit of cocoa, and some Irish whiskey. It is stored away from direct sunlight at temperatures ranging from 0 to 25-degree Celsius. Under such conditions, it guarantees a shelf life of two years. 

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However, here we’ll not just talk about using your smartphones to kill time while waiting. We’ll also be exploring a few other ways to make the best use of your time while waiting. Let’s have a look at some of the best ideas:

1. Read 

Got a book with you? Well, reading would be the best way to utilize the time spent waiting. It’s always a good idea to keep a good book in your bag. The habit of reading can save you during such situations. If you haven’t got a book, you can still read. 

Open your smartphone and you can find the best articles on your favorite subject online. You just need to search on Google. If you’re a book lover, you can download a free e-book within seconds and start reading.

2. Try online casino

This is the most exciting thing you can do with your smartphone while waiting in a club or bar in Canada. Online casinos in Canada offer a variety of slot games, table games, and live casino experiences. These games are accessible online 24/7 from anywhere in Canada. You’ll also have the chance to win a huge welcome bonus and grab some special deals exclusive to Canadian players in these casinos.

If you’re a beginner in Canada, you should first visit one of the top Canadian casino review sites. Such sites have everything you want to know about online casinos in Canada. You’ll get to learn more about the online casinos that are best suited for Canadian players. These sites also give you the chance to try some of the casino games for free, a great opportunity for Canadian newcomers to the online casino world.

One such website tailored for Canadian players is Casinos Jungle Canada. It provides detailed information on online casinos specifically for Canadians and features reviews of the best online casinos Canada. All such reviews are conducted by experts, with the casinos also rated based on their performance for Canadian audiences.

3. Watch some cool videos

We were talking about YouTube, right? Well, you can use it for watching some cool videos. Now, YouTube is vast and it provides you with a lot of options. You can watch music videos, full-length movies, an inspirational video, and the list goes on. 

Whatever you choose to watch, just make sure it is interesting. After all, no one wants to end up watching a depressing video. This would be a good way to kill time while waiting in the club or bar.

4. Meditate

Are you a yoga practitioner? If you are, then this would be an ideal situation to do some meditation. You can get really stressed out when you’ve been waiting for quite some time. A few minutes of meditation would relax you instantly. 

Of course, you don’t need to be a yoga expert for trying meditation. Just close your eyes, breathe normally without effort and focus on every breath you take in. The best part of meditation is that you can do it wherever you are. 

5. Enjoy some good music

Once again, your smartphone is your saviour here. You might be having a good music app or your own library of songs stored on your smartphone. This would be the right time to listen to your favourite songs. You can also check out the latest releases online. 

Now, YouTube is not just for videos. It also has playlists of some good songs for you. All you need to do is search for one of these playlists, which has most of your favorite songs. Then, just tap the play button, sit back, and enjoy!

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4 Major Challenges Faced By The LGBTI Community

Common Questions Asked By The LGBTIS Before Coming Out

5 Fun Ways to Kill Time While Waiting in LGBTIS Bars

4 Charming Drag Queens and Their Tales of Success

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So, for the ones belonging to the LGBTI community, this city can be the best place for an exciting nightlife. One of the favorite hotspots in the city for such individuals is Temple Bar gay district. Another great choice would be the Old Town, which is also closer to all the top after-dark attractions. 

Most of the lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, and intersexes mingle in bars and clubs at these places. However, many of the popular bars catering to this community is located at the Temple Bar area. Some exciting events are also hosted every weekend in these clubs and bars.

Popular nightlife events

Members of the LGBTI community can look forward to some great entertainment in these bars and clubs. The events hosted regularly in them are the real crowd-pullers. Some of them are:

1. Drag shows

These are the shows that feature performers dressed in costumes of the opposite sex. Such individuals either sing or lip-sync to songs along with a pre-planned dance performance. Drag shows usually involve some comedy, interactions with the audience, and skits. 

Performers in these drag shows have achieved tremendous fame over the years. They are known as drag queens. Some of the popular drag queens of Ireland are Panti Bliss and Veda Beaux Reves.

2. Cabaret shows

Such shows are a form of theatrical entertainment involving music, dance, and drama. The nature of cabaret shows differ according to the venue where they are hosted. Most of these performances are held in pubs, hotels, restaurants, bars, or nightclubs. The LGBTI audience can witness some fabulous performances in these cabaret shows while enjoying their favorite drinks. 

3. Gay parties

Some nightclubs in Dublin that cater to the LGBTI community host some really crazy gay parties. One would get to witness talented DJs in action during such events. The dance floor is completely occupied with folks swaying to the most thrilling numbers. 

Other LGBTI-friendly nightlife spots

Not everyone from the LGBTI community likes wild shows and dance parties. There are some who just want to sip their cocktails quietly in a corner with their partner. For such individuals, there are cafes and Irish pubs located at certain parts of the city. 

These places mostly have a calm and pleasing environment with soothing classical music. Some of them also offer excellent views of the surroundings and serve top-quality Irish food and drinks. They mostly have cozy interiors that are well-complemented with some fantastic pieces of art. 

A few others may be centred around a particular theme with an unusual list of wines. These LGBTI-friendly spots are excellent places to organize a meeting with that special someone. If not, then they can be visited just to enjoy a drink amid delightful environs.

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Before independence

Some leaders of Ireland’s struggle for independence in the early 20th century were assumed to be homosexuals. The first resident of Dublin recorded as trans individual was Patrick McCormack. He lived from 1821 to 1871. Another probable trans man who lived in the 19th century was Albert Cashier, who was born Jennie Hodgers. He had fought in the American Civil War on the Union side. 

Ireland had always been home to some of the greatest gay and lesbian celebrities. Among them were the writers Oscar Wilde, Mary Dorcey, Kate O’Brien, and Elizabeth Bowen. The most notable event associated with the LGBTI history of Ireland was Oscar Wilde’s trial and imprisonment.

After independence

Some changes were beginning to happen in Ireland after it achieved its independence. Although it was dominated by the conservative Catholic Church, there was an acceptance of homosexuality. This was particularly true in case of those within the profession of acting. One of the best examples in this regard would be the 20th-century gay actor, Micheal MacLiammoir. 

It was known widely that he and his partner Hilton Edwards were homosexuals. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, MacLiammoir appeared on the Irish television, performing in drag. It is largely because of such performances of MacLiammoir that the Irish people are quite used to drag queens. 

They are never surprised to see men appearing on television dressed up as women even today. One of the popular drag queens of recent times is Shirley Temple Bar. He presents bingo on prime time national television.

Wider acceptance of LGBTIs

David Norris, a renowned Irish scholar and politician campaigned in the 1970s for dismantling laws that criminalized homosexuality. This matter was taken before Ireland’s supreme court in 1980, resulting in David Norris losing the case. The case was then taken by Norris to the European Court of Human Rights. It ruled against the Irish government in 1988. 

This resulted in reforms being made in the laws in 1993. These laws were reformed by Maire Geoghegan-Quinn, who was the Minister for Justice at the time. From 1995 onwards, Ireland went through a massive social and economic transformation. What was once a conservative and religious society became more open and gay-friendly. 

Today, nearly 73% of the Irish people support gay marriage and almost 53% support same-sex adoption. Dominic Hannigan and John Lyons became the first openly gay elected members of the Irish assembly in 2011. Katherine Zappone became the first senator who was openly lesbian. Ireland became the world’s first country to legalize gay marriage in 2015 through referendum. 

More than two million adults had voted for this with over 62% favouring gay marriages. Many of the younger adults had participated in this process of voting to bring some fresh changes in Ireland. Leo Varadkar became the youngest and first openly gay leader of Ireland in 2017.

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