Loretta Cosgrove
As a co-chair and founder of Sydney Queer Irish in Sydney, Australia, Loretta Cosgrove is at the heart of Sydney’s LGBTQI+ Irish community.
An Irish-Australian production designer and art director, Cosgrove was born in Australia to Irish parents, and moved to Galway while Loretta was a child to live near her grandparents on a farm in Galway. However, her family returned to Sydney in 1983, driven by the economic climate at the time.
Relationship to Ireland
Cosgrove says of her relationship to Ireland: “I have always considered myself to be Irish first and foremost, and have lived proudly between both countries. After relocating to Australia as a child, my connection to Ireland was fostered by the Irish community in Sydney, particularly with the Penrith Gaels Irish Athletic Association and Central Coast Irish Association. My Irish heritage defines who I am today. It’s in my blood, the way I think and how I approach my everyday life.”
Community within a community
Cosgrove says that her role within SQI helps her to stay true to Irish heritage, as well as giving her the chance to support the local queer Irish community, many of whom might otherwise feel a sense of isolation.
“Over the past decade, SQI has grown into a vibrant community that is passionate, colourful and is well respected in both the LGBTQI+ community and broader Irish population. SQI supports the LGBTQI+ people (and their allies) within the Irish and Irish Australian communities in Sydney and NSW. We are a ‘community within a community’,” she says.
The SQI holds monthly gatherings for it members, and members volunteer at various events such as the Darkness Into Light Walk, helping to helping to fundraise and support charities in the fight against suicide and self harm.
Marriage equality campaign
The group campaigns on social issues and lends their voice and support to minority groups. SQI lent their voice and support to the 2015 marriage equality vote in Ireland, and were a fundamental part of the marriage equality campaign in Australia in 2017.
Cosgrove explains: “In 2015, history was being made and SQI members were a part of that. Their voices both at home and in Australia were heard loud and clear. I’m proud of what both Ireland and Australia have achieved, and acknowledge the tireless campaigning of all the people that helped gain equality for our community, and the fight that is still taking place globally.”
Strong Irish community
Cosgrove says that Australia, and in particular Sydney, has a strong Irish community, with people either coming over on holiday visas or who have immigrated more permanently.
She explains: “There is an Irish group for everyone here including social, sporting GAA associations, clubs, support groups and Irish Film Festival. We all support and work with each other closely. Recently, SQI has been invited to talk on diversity and share our story with various community groups to help build stronger bonds.”
Presidential Distinguished Service Award
Cosgrove is proud to be one of few people in Australia who have been awarded the Presidential Distinguished Service Award.
“I was honoured and brimming with Irish Pride to be awarded the Presidential Distinguished Service Award in 2020. So many people around the world work tirelessly to promote Ireland and support many causes, and to be recognised as a champion of Irish LGBTQI+ in both Ireland and Sydney is an honour," she says.
"This award is dedicated to all the members of SQI over the past 10 years who have created a sense of home in Sydney for the Irish and Irish Australian LGBTQI+ community, and to the Irish Community Groups who work to support and foster Irish culture in Sydney and Australia.”