Arthur Leahy Recalls AIDS Crisis, Urges Remembrance

Pioneer Activist Calls for Awareness Ahead of Cork Pride

As Cork prepares for its annual Pride celebrations, LGBTQ+ trailblazer **Arthur Leahy** is urging a new generation not to forget the profound struggles faced by the community during the height of the AIDS epidemic. Now turning 80, **Leahy** shared poignant memories of a time when fear and denial marked Ireland’s response to the crisis.

A Community in Crisis

The onset of AIDS cast a long shadow over Ireland, a period **Arthur Leahy** recalls as “torturous.” He vividly remembers the pervasive fear surrounding the disease, noting how a junior doctor, overwhelmed by protective gear, appeared like a “giant balloon” while attending to a dying patient. This image underscored the terror gripping people who feared contagion.

In 1982, **Arthur Leahy** founded the Quay Co-op in Cork City, a pioneering inclusive space that continues to thrive as a vegetarian restaurant and health food store. His activism predated this, with **Leahy** making history three years earlier as Cork’s first openly gay man on national television. He and his then-partner, **Laurie**, offered a rare glimpse into the lives of gay couples in a deeply homophobic Ireland.

Fighting Fear and Injustice

The brutality of the era was starkly highlighted by the murder of **Declan Flynn** in 1982, beaten to death by teenagers. The subsequent lenient sentencing of his perpetrators ignited widespread outrage, leading to protests that ultimately inspired Dublin’s first Pride parade. However, societal prejudice persisted, with homosexuality not decriminalized in Ireland until 1993.

Despite these challenges, **Arthur Leahy** co-founded Gay Health Action and Cairde, organizations dedicated to addressing HIV/AIDS and supporting patients. He views the six houses established in Cork to aid those affected by AIDS as among his proudest achievements.

“There is a kind of denial there and not a lot of awareness and recognition around what people went through. People can take a drug for it now so there is no big drama about it. However, during the time we are talking about it was terminal.”

—Arthur Leahy

Echoes of the Past

**Leahy**, who will celebrate his 80th birthday in November, expressed concern that younger generations might not fully grasp the severity of the AIDS crisis. He noted a potential “denial” and lack of awareness, contrasting it with today’s manageable treatments for the virus.

He recalled the emotional toll of supporting AIDS patients, witnessing firsthand the terror faced by medical professionals, like the doctor swathed in protective gear. **Leahy** spoke of a personal ability to “transcend the horrors” without being consumed by trauma.

The prevailing medical view of the time often pathologized gay individuals, a sentiment **Leahy** found himself having to accept. He acknowledged progressive figures like **Jack Coughlan**, who dealt with venereal diseases in Cork, but contrasted them with more conservative medical attitudes.

Families often grappled with denial regarding the cause of their loved ones’ deaths, creating “torturous situations.” **Leahy** noted that initial family resistance often gave way to love, though sometimes conventional approaches led to activists being excluded from care.

Global Perspectives

Many Irish individuals affected by AIDS had returned from the UK, where a significant portion of Irish AIDS patients resided. While the Health Board provided some funding for the Cork houses, the broader societal acknowledgment of the crisis remained limited.

Despite individual acts of courage, **Leahy** observed that the Catholic Church’s establishment largely maintained a negative stance on LGBTQ+ issues, a position he believes, to a degree, persists.

**Leahy** considers his life privileged, drawing parallels with contemporary struggles faced globally, particularly in regions like the Middle East. He has dedicated time to working in Gaza, observing ongoing challenges there.

While Ireland has undergone “remarkable” transformation regarding LGBTQ+ rights, **Leahy** cautioned that other parts of the world are witnessing regression. He emphasized the importance of recognizing and appreciating the progress made, not just for LGBTQ+ issues but across society.