Outhouse was created from a need for more inclusive and representative space in the midlands of Ireland.
Being a queer man growing up in the region, there existed no real place where I could really discover myself and gain some mental relief among other queer people discovering themselves. I was only able to truly do achieve this by leaving the midlands. Only then did I find spaces where queer people both actively flourished and owned. This does not feel fair. Place belongs to us all. But as queer people we have to always ask; does it really? So many times we have stepped over the threshold and realised we did not feel safe within these walls. This fact applies to so many spaces that it’s sad, and in the midlands I feel this.
Outhouse is a chapter in social equity. Through place-making, this project aims to create both a retreat and a destination. Where queer people can be amongst themselves in a healthy space and share ideas, create connections and achieve things that they can’t outside of Outhouse. Why do all queer gatherings exist in large urban centres? Yes queer people migrate in these spaces, but because like I stated above. Currently we have to. Can we not gather outside of Dublin, Cork or Limerick? This project allows for a ‘base of operations’. Pride and LGBTQ+ history month events can happen locally, groups can organise a ‘coffee get together’, for example, around a central location rather than seeking to use someone else’s space. Protests, social events, exhibitions and more can all happen under one roof. Outhouse is about being queer in a place for queer people, by queer people. Something I never experienced growing up, and that needs to change.