Viola Gayvis - Best of Ireland

When the pandemic happened, we got our sense of community taken away from us. People had to move back to homes where they weren’t really accepted. People had to move back to towns and villages where being queer was not the norm.

It affected a lot of queer people’s mental health. But there was a community to be found online. A lot of queens at this time made their money virtually, through online shows. Most of us took to Instagram and did live shows. We would make posts saying, ‘Look we are all out of work. Please consider tipping us’, and you’d just put your Revolut link there.

And people were very generous. They knew that we were kind of just left by the wayside and that we had to make do. Online, there’s a strong sense of community among queer people. There would be a lot who’d like your pictures and comment to boost your posts. There are people who know what it’s like.

That said, honestly from when I started doing drag, Dublin has been changing for the better. Obviously, we have lost many a nightlife space due to places closing down as a result of the pandemic, but it has progressed and moved on for the best. We are making do with what we have.

You see a lot of queer events popping up like game nights and book clubs. There’s a lot of meet ups that are less club-centric and alcohol-centric too. That’s a big thing.

Honestly, it’s a good thing too because not everybody drinks, not everybody would want to be in and around that environment.

But speaking of nightlife, if I’m working in the George, we all stay out and end up partying there. That’s amazing. For me it’s usually: have a cocktail or two in either Street 66 or Panti Bar, before we go over to Mother or the George.

Street 66

Those are the places I frequent the most. And then sometimes you may have an afterparty and end up there. So the best night out is wherever Viola Gayvis is performing and then the afterparty! I always end up staying wherever I am working, and boogie-ing and partying there. In terms of best brunches in Dublin the next day, I do Doll’s Society in The Liberties more or less every weekend, Saturday and Sunday. It’s two seatings – one at 1pm and one at 3.30pm. It’s bottomless and you get 90 minutes.

Mother

If I’m not in Doll’s, you’ll find me across the road in Jackie’s. If you’re coming to a Viola Gayvis brunch, expect chaos! That’s the best way to describe it. I never really plan anything in my head. Obviously, if it’s a themed one, I will prepare one or two songs by that artist or in that genre. Then we have a few games, accept you might get dragged into a few of those! If you’re not shy, it’s better.

But it’s fun, it’s a situation where everybody is there to have a good time. We are all there to party, to dance. What else would you be doing on a Sunday at one o’clock besides drinking giant cocktails? I find that the Irish sense of humour and the drag sense of humour are a good match. The best way I can describe it is, you’re having the chats with your friends.

You know as Irish people we can talk to a literal wall? That helps a lot as a drag artist. Especially when you’re on the mic and you are trying to get the crowd going. It’s the Irish humour – the gift of the gab. It’s about being aware of your environment – picking up on what’s happening around you. You don’t want to make a joke and for it not to be related to anything.

Sometimes I forget what I’m doing and I’ll just be on the mic for god knows how long! You can just make it feel like it’s just you and the audience member having a chat up onstage, while people in the back laugh and giggle along.

Drag is an escape. It’s a transformation and it’s about bringing people joy. I love seeing people enjoy what I am doing onstage. That’s honestly my favourite part – performing. You can just see people loving it, being moved by it, and having a great time. That’s what I enjoy the most.

You’re just throwing all your cares away and having a great time. I love the George stage and I love the Mother stage. But my brunch stages – I love them so much. It’s a different crowd every time. I’ve done Limerick Pride and I’ve done Cork Pride. I’ve been all over the place, and I’ve done a lot of queer events around the country. Wherever anyone books me, I go!

Cork Pride 2023

I think we’re spoiled in Dublin and we never realise how small the other communities are. They know that they’re a small community and that they have to stick together, which I adore. Dublin is my favourite place, though, it’s the people. It’s such a small place that I see the same people I know over and over again. There’s just something about it that I don’t know how to put into words.

There’s always a different experience to have in different corners of Dublin. You’re never bored and you’ll always find something interesting going on. I love my Dublin Queens, like Pixie Woo. Then there are the legends: Davina Divine, Victoria Secret, Veda and Shirley Temple Bar.

But then there’s also the new ones like Anne Ziety, Gráinne Kneez, Éire Comme and Ariana Grindr. I adore the Haus of Wig Girls. I’ve known them for years: Shaqira Knightly, Naomi Diamond and Donna Fella.

I am really looking forward to Pride in Dublin, it’s so joyous and there’s such a sense of belonging. Honestly, I’m looking forward to seeing the rainbow everywhere and people celebrating love. The sense of community is heightened in June. It’s a great month of the year too because it’s brighter for longer – and hopefully we get that Leaving Cert weather!

Obviously, you’re going to get your idiots and people who are against it. Ireland is an accepting place, but as with everywhere else, there are those people who don’t agree and don’t see it that way. But the good outweighs the bad.

I never had to come out to my mother. It was kind of an open secret that we never had to discuss. Coming out culture is a double edged sword, though. You’re never finished coming out. You still have to come out to people if you’re starting a new job or if you make a new friend. I think it’s a part of being queer. I don’t want to say that we shouldn’t have to come out, but yeah… it is part of the world we live in.

There’s an assumption that everyone is straight and it will take time to undo that assumption. If there’s one piece of advice I could give my younger self, it would be: ‘Don’t take it too seriously, what other people think is none of your business.’

LGBTQ+ Resources:

LGBT Ireland

LGBT Ireland offers a comprehensive range of services which provide support and information on issues relating to sexuality and gender identity through a national helpline, online chat support and peer support groups.

BeLonGTo

BeLonGTo is an LGBT youth organisation in Ireland which caters for young people aged between 14–23 years and provides advice and support to parents.

The National Gender Service

The National Gender Service (NGS) provides a holistic approach to gender care. They have a multidisciplinary team and is a fully public service provided by the HSE. There is a gender identity family support line, which can be reached at 01 907 3707

GenderEd.ie

GenderED.ie information resource for families of gender variant children and transgender young people.

Transgender Equality Network Ireland TENI

Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) offers a range of support services that aim to increase the well-being of trans people and their families by providing support that mitigates common experiences of isolation, misunderstanding and exclusion.