Rory, also known by his stage name Panti, is a drag queen and a self-described “accidental and occasional gay rights activist” and because of it, an activist for equality and inclusion. His 1 February 2014 Noble Call speech at the Abbey Theatre in response to the events surrounding the RTÉ controversy over who gets to use the word “homophobia” has almost 1 million views and was described as “the most eloquent Irish speech” in almost 200 years by Fintan O’Toole. It garnered international support including that of Ru Paul, Graham Norton, Stephen Fry and Madonna. Rory will speak about how his Noble Call led to his being contacted not only by the LGBTI community but also by women. Panti sparked a real, vibrant debate about whether Irish values of equality and acceptance live up to the hype, not just for gay and lesbian people, but for everyone who is oppressed. Rory and his alter ego Panti were also the subject of a documentary, The Queen of Ireland which premiered on 21 October 2015.
