Junior Larkin

Last updated
Junior Larkin
Born
DiedJuly 2017
Ireland
Other namesKylie O'Reilly
Occupation(s) gay rights activist and drag queen

Junior Larkin (died July 2017), also known by his stage name Kylie O'Reilly, was an Irish drag queen and gay rights activist.

Contents

Career

Larkin came out and became involved in gay activism in 1993. Speaking at the reaction to the Gay and Lesbian Conference in 1994, Larkin said that he had been attacked four times in one year due to his sexuality. [1]

Larkin was one of the staff of Gay Community News in the early 1990s, overseeing the layout and design of the magazine. He acted as mentor to the future editor of GCN, Brian Finnegan. Larkin was involved in the Dublin Lesbian and Gay Youth Group. With this group, he hosted the annual talent show with Anthony McGrath, called Search For A Star. The winner of the competition would be featured on a cover of GCN. He was also involved in the International Gay and Lesbian Youth Organisation. [2]

In 1994 he co-wrote the book Coming Out: A Book For Lesbians and Gay Men of All Ages with the editor of GCN, Suzy Byrne. Both Larkin and Byrne appeared on TheLate, Late Show to speak about the book. Larkin's appearance on the show led to him being recognised and attacked by a group of men near his flat on the Botanic Road. [3] After Larkin left GCN he set up a free gay magazine, Guyz, as a glossy magazine but it was not successful due to the difficulty in securing sponsors. [2]

Larkin was part of the 1995 information campaign by Out Youth, which sought to counter the rise in homophobic attacks in Dublin in the 1990s. [4]

With John Pickering and Eddie McGuinness, Larkin formed the first all-gay boyband in 1996, 4Guys, which Larkin wanted to rival Boyzone. [2] [5] Launched in Wonderbar in April 1996, the line up featured Ken Quinn, Keith Lee, John McGuirke, Mark Power, and Karl Anderson. [6] In 1996, Larkin was the subject of the radio documentary, By George, made by Kevin Reynolds for RTÉ Radio 1. [7]

Drag act

As Kylie O'Reilly, Larkin was one of the most famous drag queens in Dublin in the 1990s. He hosted nights at a number of Dublin gay bars, including The George. Larkin chose the name Kylie as he was a fan of Kylie Minogue. After the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Ireland in 1993, Larkin dressed as a pregnant Kylie O'Reilly in a wedding dress for Dublin Pride, and at the steps of Central Bank on Dame Street she threw her bouquet into the crowd. [2] Kylie performed with a group called Kylie's Kreatures with fellow drag queens, Maisie Minogue (later known as Phyllis Lautner), Barb Minogue, and Emaciated Minogue at The Temple of Sound. [8]

As Kylie, Larkin wrote, performed and submitted the song Delicious Boyz (Lick Me I’m Delicious) to the Irish National Song Contest for Eurovision. [2]

Later life

Larkin retired from the gay scene in the late 1990s. Larkin died in July 2017. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kylie Minogue</span> Australian singer and actress (born 1968)

Kylie Ann Minogue is an Australian singer, songwriter and actress. She is the highest-selling female Australian artist of all time, having sold over 80 million records worldwide. She has been recognised for reinventing herself in music and fashion, for which she is referred to by the European press as the "Princess of Pop" and a style icon. Her accolades include a Grammy Award, three Brit Awards and 17 ARIA Music Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dannii Minogue</span> Australian singer and actress (born 1971)

Danielle Jane “Dannii” Minogue is an Australian singer, television personality, and actress. She gained recognition for her appearances on the television show Young Talent Time (1982–1988) and for her role as Emma Jackson on the soap opera Home and Away (1989–1990). Minogue began her music career in the early 1990s, achieving early success with her debut studio album, Love and Kisses (1991); the album was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and included the hit singles "Love and Kisses", "Baby Love", "Jump to the Beat" and "Success". Following the release of her second album, Get into You (1993), Minogue's popularity as a singer had declined, leading her to make a name for herself with award-winning performances in theatre productions.

<i>The Late Late Show</i> (Irish talk show) Irish chat show

The Late Late Show, with its title often shortened to The Late Late, is an Irish chat show. It is the world's second longest-running late-night talk show, after the American The Tonight Show. Perceived as the official flagship television programme of the Republic of Ireland's public service broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), it is regarded as an Irish television institution, and is broadcast live across two hours plus in front of a studio audience on Friday nights between September and May at 21.30. Certain segments are sometimes pre-recorded and aired within the live parts of the show.

<i>Rhythm of Love</i> (Kylie Minogue album)

Rhythm of Love is the third studio album to be recorded by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. It was released in the United Kingdom on 12 November 1990 by Pete Waterman Limited (PWL) and in Australia on 3 December 1990 by Mushroom Records. Minogue started to become more involved in the writing and production of the album. Recording sessions took place in London and Los Angeles during early-to-mid 1990. Minogue was credited as co-writer for the first time while Stock Aitken Waterman (SAW) were the primary producers along with new producers and collaborations, including Keith Cohen, Stephen Bray and Michael Jay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panti</span> Irish drag queen and gay rights campaigner

Rory O'Neill, also known by his stage names Panti, Panti Bliss and Pandora Panti Bliss, is a drag queen and gay rights activist from Ballinrobe, County Mayo, Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Step Back in Time</span> 1990 single by Kylie Minogue

"Step Back in Time" is a song by Australian singer Kylie Minogue from her third studio album, Rhythm of Love (1990). It was released as the album's second single on 22 October 1990, and distributed by PWL and Mushroom as a CD single, cassette tape and 12-inch and 7-inch singles. The track was written, arranged, and produced by Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, Pete Waterman, who are collectively known as Stock Aitken and Waterman, and was recorded in London, United Kingdom. Musically, it is a disco song that lyrically pays tribute to 1970s' culture.

The Camogie All Star Awards are awarded each November to 15 players who have made outstanding contributions to the Irish stick and ball team sport of camogie in the 15 traditional positions on the field: goalkeeper, three full backs, three half-backs, two midfields, three half-forwards and three full-forwards. They were awarded for the first time in 2003 as an independent initiative sponsored by a hotel group and accorded official status by the Camogie Association in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlene Robinson</span> Fictional character from the soap opera Neighbours

Charlene Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours played by Kylie Minogue. Charlene was introduced to the show along with several new characters, as part of a revamp by Network Ten to increase ratings. Minogue auditioned for the role in 1985, shortly after finishing her high school exams. She attended the audition dressed as the character and casting director Jan Russ cast her in the role. Minogue was initially contracted for a week, but this was later extended through to mid-1988. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 17 April 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The George, Dublin</span> Building in Dublin, Ireland

The George is a gay bar and nightclub on South Great George's Street in the city centre of Dublin, Ireland.

<i>Gay Community News</i> (Dublin) LGBT community magazine based in Dublin

Gay Community News (GCN) is Ireland's longest-running lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) publication; it is based in Dublin, and founded in 1988. It has been referred to as the "paper of record" for the Irish LGBT community.

A gay icon is a public figure who is regarded as a cultural icon by members of the LGBT community. Said figures usually have a devoted LGBT fanbase and have acted as allies to the LGBT community, often through their work. Alternatively, if they have not acted as allies, they have been "openly appreciative of their gay fanbase". Many gay icons also have a camp aesthetic style, which has been described as part of their appeal to LGBT individuals.

Mr Gay Ireland is an annual contest for gay men, with regional heats held in gay venues around Ireland, with a grand final held in late October. In previous years the final has been held in The George, Dublin. The current title holder is Max Krzyzanowski. Max won the title of Mr. Gay Ireland 2010 and went on to win the title of Mr Gay World 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katie McGrath</span> Irish actress

Katie McGrath is an Irish actress. In television, she gained recognition for portraying Morgana Pendragon in the BBC One series Merlin (2008–2012), Lucy Westenra on the British-American series Dracula (2013–2014), Saskia in the TV series Secret Bridesmaids Business, and Sarah Bennett in the first season of the horror anthology series Slasher (2016), and for her role as Lena Luthor on the superhero series Supergirl (2016–2021). Her film roles include Lady Thelma Furness in the drama film W.E. and Jules Daly in the Christmas movie A Princess for Christmas (2011), Zara Young in the science fiction adventure film Jurassic World (2015), and Elsa in the epic fantasy film King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dublin Pride</span> Annual LGBTQ+ event in Dublin, Ireland

The Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride Festival is an annual series of events which celebrates lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) life in Dublin, Ireland. It is the largest LGBTQ+ pride festival on the island of Ireland. The festival culminates in a pride parade which is held annually on the last Saturday in June. The event has grown from a one-day event in 1974 to a ten-day festival celebrating LGBT culture in Ireland with an expanded arts, social and cultural content.

Growing Up Gay was a groundbreaking two-part documentary series broadcast on RTÉ One, which began on Monday 19 April 2010 at 9.35pm. It explored the experiences of the first generation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people growing up in an Ireland where it was legal to be themselves. Filmed over 18 months, it was made by Crossing the Line Films with the ongoing support and advice of Ireland's national organisation for Lesbian, Gay, Biseuxal and Trans young people, BeLonG To. It featured LGBT school-goers, Muslims, and young people facing persecution in their hometowns across Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Hides</span> British-American drag queen, impersonator, actor, and comedian

Charlie Hides is a British-American drag queen, impersonator, actor, and comedian. Hides is known for his YouTube channel, and his participation in the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. Following live performances in London clubs, Hides started a YouTube channel in March 2011. He has produced hundreds of videos satirizing popular culture, and impersonating celebrities such as Cher, Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Lana Del Rey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden Tour</span> 2018–19 concert tour by Kylie Minogue

The Golden Tour was the fifteenth concert tour by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue. It was launched in support of her fourteenth studio album, Golden (2018) and visited Europe and Australia. It began on 18 September 2018 in Newcastle, England at the Metro Radio Arena and concluded on 17 March 2019 in Mount Cotton, Australia at Sirromet Wines. The tour was first announced in February 2018, consisting of dates in the UK and Ireland. The previously announced European leg was incorporated into the tour in September of the same year, and the Australian leg was announced in November.

Katie Hannon is an Irish journalist, radio and television presenter employed by RTÉ. She has hosted her own self-titled weekly current affairs television programme, Upfront with Katie Hannon, since January 2023. She previously presented RTÉ Radio 1's political radio programmes, The Late Debate and Saturday with Katie Hannon.

<i>RuPauls Drag Race Down Under</i> (season 1) First season of RuPauls Drag Race Down Under

The first season of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under began airing on 1 May and concluded on 19 June 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom McGrath (producer)</span> Irish television producer (1930–1985)

Thomas Patrick "Tom" McGrath was a television producer at RTÉ Television, Ireland's national broadcaster. He is known for "pioneering" The Late Late Show in 1962, and selecting Gay Byrne to host the show. He was also credited with introducing Terry Wogan and Mike Murphy's first television series. He chose the song "All Kinds of Everything", and selected Dana to sing it, as Ireland's winning entry to the 1970 Eurovision contest. He later produced and directed Ireland's staging of the 1971 Eurovision contest.

References

  1. Ryan, Liz (9 August 1994). "Charmers do battle for their gay rights". Evening Herald.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Finnegan, Brian (24 July 2017). "Remembering Junior Larkin". GCN. GCN. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  3. Hannon, Katie (19 October 1995). "Fear and Loathing: Why Gays don't feel safe on our streets". Evening Herald.
  4. Hannon, Katie (19 October 1995). "Awareness Campaign". Evening Herald.
  5. "Matt & Andrej Koymasky - Famous GLTB - "4 Guyz"". andrejkoymasky.com. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  6. McGrath, Anthony (6 April 1996). "The boyz from the gayzone". Irish Examiner.
  7. Browne, Harry (16 April 1996). "Whose public service?". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2022-08-08.
  8. Donohoe, Katie (26 March 2021). "WATCH: Eurotrash clip of Dublin queens two years after decriminalisation resurfaces but where are they now?". GCN. Retrieved 8 August 2022.