




The Unshrinking Violets: 50 Years of Lesbian Activism programme was a commission by Age and Opportunity for the Bealtaine Festival 2023. Co-produced by Han Tiernan and Francis Fay, it comprised an exhibition in Outhouse, Dublin LGBTQ+ Centre, from the 14th to 25th May; a discussion event in Wood Quay Venue, Dublin, on Saturday 20th May; and a screen of the film Outitude.
The exhibition included an audio soundscape composed by Cara Holmes from speeches made at the 40th anniversary of Dublin Lesbian Line, the film Tribe by Alisha Doody, a cabinet of ephemera gathered through an open call, a banner from the Running Amach social group and 6 display panels:
A Timeline 1970 - 1989
A Timeline 1990 - 2023
Lesbian Lines
Political
Publications
Social
Production support was from Monica Flynn. Lead exhibition research by Han Tiernan, with research support from Dr Ger Moane and Cara Holmes. Graphic design by Dave Darcy, One Strong Arm.
The discussion event comprised a one-hour panel discussion chaired by Ailbhe Smyth with Suzy Byrne, Renn Miano, Dr Ger Moane, Sara Phillips, and Niamh Grennaan. This was followed by a public long table discussion.