Skip to main content

Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin

Trinity Menu Trinity Search



Interviews

Name: Jessica McKeon
Title: Chair of QSoc, Trinity LGBT

Degree: Senior Sophister, BESS student, specialising in Business and Sociology

Tell us about how you got involved in QSoc?
I got involved in QSoc in Hilary Term of my first year in college. I was finding it very difficult to make friends as my course was so big, so I turned to QSoc. I started going to everything and I haven’t looked back since. It was the best decision I ever made.

QSoc is the oldest third-level LGBT organisation in the country (established in 1982), tell us about the origins of the society?    
The Society was set up by David Norris and a group of like-minded individuals as Gay Soc. We trace our origins to the very first gender and sexuality minority activist group in Ireland, the Sexual Liberation Movement, which was active in Trinity and Dublin in the 1970s. This was before homosexuality was decriminalised in Ireland, so Trinity was well ahead of the pack in allowing this. The work of the Society in campaigning and lobbying the government was hugely influential in starting the Gay Rights Liberation in Ireland, leading to the legalisation of homosexuality and creating the stepping stones that allowed us to get civil partnership and now civil marriage.

Without QSoc and Norris we would still be illegal in the eyes of the law, let alone be able to get married. We are a great society with a rich past and I’m very proud to have been a part of it. Gay Soc evolved to Gay and Lesbian Soc, to LGB Soc, to Trinity LGBT and now to its present QSoc.

How has the mission of the Society evolved since it was first established?
Since its establishment, QSoc has always strived to provide a safe space for those students who identify somewhere in the LGBTQ+ cosmos, or those who are allies to the community. While it has become more inclusive over time to the letters of the acronym other than G, the aim to create a safe environment for its members still underlies everything the society does. In its initial years, QSoc used to be much more of a boys club, even up to the past decade. Thankfully the backbone of inclusivity has allowed the Society to branch out to ensure everyone finds a place to be accepted. We are very proud to be able to provide a safe space for all who need it.

What impact did the YES vote have on QSoc?
The YES vote impacted the Society in ways that we didn’t expect. We really noticed a change in the new members that signed up in September 2015. A large number of students had come out before even coming to College – a marked change from previous years. People just generally seemed more comfortable in themselves which has been great to see.

During Freshers’ Week we faced some interesting questions from students outside the queer community who had difficulty understanding why QSoc would need to exist after the YES vote. It was an eye-opener to the level of unintentional ignorance and lack of understanding of LGBT issues. We used it as an opportunity to educate students on the continued need for the existence of LGBT societies.

Tell us about the work of the Society?
We are a vibrant and active Society that runs a variety of events all-year-round. There’s something for everyone: sports, culture, politics, clubbing or just meeting people. We have one of the largest memberships of any LGBT society in Ireland.  QSoc is more than just ‘gay people hanging out being gay’. QSoc is about people first, having fun and making the most of their time in College while sharing and supporting the experience of being LGBTQ.

What has been your biggest achievement in your role as Chair?
My biggest achievement is pulling off an intervarsity ball, Queer Prom. It was a major event with over 200 students from seven colleges in attendance. The entire event was organised by Trinity QSoc. I believe this event will be our legacy, and truly has the potential to reach a national scale, growing annually to encompass more third-level institutions and LGBT societies.

Has your involvement in the Society influenced your career choices?
My involvement in the QSoc has impacted my career choices more than I thought it would. Being involved has given me a wealth of transferrable skills from working in teams to event organisation, leadership and social media marketing. I’m hoping to pursue a Master’s in Marketing after graduation. Eventually I want to work for an organisation like QSoc but on a bigger scale, to help make society and the world a better place.