The Queen of Ireland

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Synopsis

Panti Bliss, the titular “queen” in director Conor Horgan’s crowd-pleasing, uplifting documentary, was on the frontlines of Ireland’s recent push for same-sex marriage rights, which culminated with a 2015 referendum that amended the country’s Constitution. Also known as Rory O’Neill, this well-known drag queen and social activist has devoted her life to combatting homophobia and raising awareness and funds for HIV/AIDS research. But she has also had to cope with personal setbacks ever since Rory’s childhood years in the small town of Ballinrobe, where growing up gay was a crucible of sorts for the person who would eventually become Ireland’s answer to RuPaul. Like the American drag queen, Panti — an indestructible force of nature — has inspired people around the world to embrace their sexual identities and resist gender conformity, something that Queen of Ireland reveals with equal dashes of humor and poignancy.

By David Scott Diffrient

 

Filmmakers

Conor Horgan
(2015)
97 minutes
Ireland

Screenings

Friday, April 14
7:30 p.m.
Lory Student Center Theatre

Q&A Guests:
Conor Horgan (director)
Rory O’Neill (film subject)

Opening Night Reception directly following Q&A in the Lory Student Center Ballroom