A Special Thank You To Ann Louise Gilligan From The LGBTQIA Students Of Ireland

On behalf of the LGBTQIA students and people of Ireland, we'd like to thank you Ann Louise Gilligan, from the bottom of our hearts.

Ann and her wife Katherine championed LGBTQIA equality for tens of thousands of people across the country. The pair relentlessly fought the High Court for years to be recognised as a married couple. They are responsible for the largest community education organisation An Cosàn.

Ann loved cooking, theatre, and reading and was an academic in areas such as gender and education.

Gay Pride is an annual tradition for many LGBTQIA people, and the last two years have been marked by celebration. The celebration we know of is, of course, the passing of the marriage equality referendum.

Although Katherine and the world lost has lost Ann, we would like to take this opportunity to thank both Ann and Katherine for their love for each other. Their devotion changed the face of LGBTQIA in Ireland. They are the pioneers of the marriage equality movement.

We asked LGBTQIA students and Irish people to tell us what Ann and Katherine's work for marriage equality has meant to them:

Edel

Ann Louise and Katherine were the first people I heard speak about the right to marriage. It was something that hadn't dawned on me before then. They're a wonderful couple who helped open my eyes and I'll always be grateful for that.

Luke

Seeing both Katherine & Ann Louise speak up for their right to marry encouraged me. I got in touch with my local TDs and I canvassed with them around my little village for a Yes vote. By that stage we were very close to voting, and I needed to do something to show my support. Katherine and Ann Louise were on the news or online almost every day in the run up to the referendum, either debating or giving statements of support to the LGBTQ people at home. I thank them for their encouragement every day since.

Anonymous

Up until the courage and LGBT support you both showed the world, I was afraid to come out as bisexual to anybody. Although I still have only told a select few, you have given me the confidence to take steps in the right direction and not feel like I have to hide who I am.

Daniel

Change often begins with few people lobbying on an issue they know to be important. Katherine and Ann have been at the forefront of implementing change. Thank you.

Aaron

Thank you for helping me to feel equal. Thank you for allowing me to feel as though the people I shared my country with saw me as equal. Your love for each other helped change the world.

Garret

Your courage to stand for equality has inspired me every single day. Ann and Katherine will go down in history as the women who lit a fire under the stagnant people of this country. Thank you for being our champions.

Our thoughts are with Katherine and her family during this difficult period.