Who would choose to be gay in Ireland? While it's not the life sentence (or, in some cases, the death sentence) it once was, homosexuality in the Emerald Isle is still a touchy subject. As elsewhere, the story of gay rights in Ireland is one of small steps forward against a backdrop of oppression, suppression and repression.
That's why Coming Out is such an important book. It's a chance to pause and draw breath; to look back on the achievements on the thorny road to equality and forward to the next set of hurdles. The testimonies of gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, their families, friends and loved ones represent a snapshot of a small country at the crossroads.
Perhaps what's most impressive is the diversity of contributions. Certainly, there are tales of difficult admissions by gay people, both to themselves and to their families. But the voices of mothers, fathers, siblings, wives and children are also to be heard. Many of the stories are uplifting, but not all have happy endings. Especially affecting is the story of a gay man jeered at his own father's funeral.
But while there is real anguish, there's also room for humour:
"My mum found my LGB Rights Officer name card and came up to my room and asked, 'What's the LGB?' I remember her face - it was angry. I told her, 'It's the Ladies and Gents Basketball!' She stopped for a moment - I was hopeful she had bought it. She then screamed, 'You're too small to play basketball! Now you tell me now, are you lesbian, gay and bisexual?' 'Not this again,' I said. 'I'm one of them.' 'Which one?' she asked. I said, 'I'm gay.' And she said, 'Well, just as long as you're not bisexual,' and walked out."
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