By Cliona Connolly
cliona@monaghanpost.com

MR GAY Ireland, Barry Meegan from Broomfield Co Monaghan, will fly the flag for the Irish gay community when he jets to Hollywood to represent Ireland in the International Mr Gay contest, January 17 to 21.

Last October, the Post ran a story on Barry’s win and unknowingly outed him to family members!

“In my opinion, some of my family knew deep down already [that I was gay], but the article drove the fact home by running the story with several photos and a big headline!”

But Barry was delighted with the positive reaction of family, neighbours and locals. “The neighbour’s reactions quite literally blew me away!

“I got to speak to a lot of family and friends over Christmas and they are very proud of me and genuinely delighted for me to have such a great opportunity. I got no negativity at all. Their kind words of support really meant so much.”

THE local hottie is proud to represent Monaghan. “I am very proud of who I am and where I come from. If people have a problem with it, well that is exactly that - their problem and quite frankly they need to deal with it!”

Barry hopes his life will inspire confidence in others “I firmly believe that we need to help everyone around us, especially in rural areas, to realise that being gay is not like what people were told in previous decades. “They shouldn’t fear being judged, ostracised or worse - beaten up for being who they are.”

Barry believes people’s attitudes have changed for the better in Ireland but still have a long way to go before gay people don’t fear coming out. “I don’t know if I could have come out as easily if I actually lived at home in Monaghan. I can only imagine how difficult it is for someone who does live in a small town or rural community.”