Rory O'Neill (Panti Bliss): Episode 85

Rory O'Neill is a performer, businessman and gay rights activist who is most well known for his 'gender discombobulist' act Panti Bliss. This week he speaks passionately to Jarlath about the circumstances which led to his infamous Noble Call speech, how defending his views could have caused him bankruptcy, being diagnosed with HIV, growing up in an Ireland where homosexuality was illegal and battling against the distractions of the 'no' campaign in the gay marriage referendum.

 

Rory also gives some incredible advice on coming out to one's parents and talks about his move to Tokyo as a teenager where he lived for five years, his reaction to RTÉs handling of a defamation case in which he was the centre, how the weight of his words has increased recently and what he feels the impact will be in Ireland if the referendum doesn't pass.

 

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