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Rory O'Neill

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Rory O'Neill
O'Neill as Panti in 2015
Born(1968-11-16)16 November 1968(age 55)[1]
Ballinrobe,County Mayo,Ireland
Occupation(s)Drag queen,activist,publicanandbusinessperson
WebsiteOfficial website

Rory O'Neill(born 16 November 1968),[1]also known by hisstage namesPanti,Panti BlissandPandora Panti Bliss,[2]is adrag queenandgay rightsactivist fromBallinrobe,County Mayo,Ireland.[3][4][5]

Early life[edit]

O'Neill, the son of aveterinary surgeon,grew up in Ballinrobe, County Mayo, and went to art college inDún Laoghaire.[6]Although raised a Catholic, O'Neill is an atheist.[7]O'Neill talked toAoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháinabout having been diagnosed as HIV-positive in 1995 on the RTÉ Radio 1 seriesAoibhinn and Company.[8]

Career[edit]

O'Neill (under his stage namePanti) is considered to be Ireland's foremost drag queen.[6][9]Pantiis short for 'Pandora Panti Bliss'.[6]O'Neill's first drag performance was in 1989.[10]He danced on stage inJapanwithCyndi Lauperduring her 1994 Twelve Deadly Cyns Tour.[6]

O'Neill (in hisPantiguise) regularly hosts the annualDublin Pridecelebrations, which take place in June every year.[11]From 1996 to 2012, he hosted the annualAlternative Miss Irelandpageant.[12]

For a number of years, O'Neill (as Panti) hosted a weekly karaoke show,The Casting Couch,at The Front Lounge pub, Dublin. He occasionally appears as Panti atShirley Temple Bar's weekly drag queen Bingo show in the Dublin gay barThe George.

Pantibar on Capel Street, Dublin

On 30 November 2007, he opened the self-titled 'Pantibar' at 7Capel Street,Dublin.[5]Later, he took over the nearby Pennylane cocktail bar in 2020 at 2 Great Strand Street. In 2023, he took part in thesixth seriesofDancing with the Stars,partnered with Ukrainian dancerDenys Samson.He finished the competition in 6th place on 5 March. In 2024 O'Neill was the Grand Marshall of the London St Patrick's Day Parade.[13][14]

Incidents[edit]

Comments about homophobia on RTÉ ( "Pantigate" )[edit]

See also:Same-sex marriage in the Republic of IrelandandThirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland

On 11 January 2014, O'Neill appeared onRTÉ'sThe Saturday Night ShowwithBrendan O'Connor,where he and O'Connor discussedhomophobia,and O'Neill alleged that some specific people involved in Irish journalism were homophobic. This became known as "Pantigate".[15]

Those mentioned threatened RTÉ and O'Neill with legal action.[9]RTÉ subsequently removed that section of the interview from their online archive.[16]On 25 January episode of the Saturday Night Show, O'Connor issued a public apology on behalf of RTÉ to those mentioned by O'Neill in the interview held two weeks previously.[17]RTÉ paid €85,000 to those named by O'Neill.[18]

The payouts were later discussed by members ofOireachtas.[19][20]The incident was also discussed in the European Parliament.[21]with Irish MEPPaul Murphy,calling the payout "a real attack on the freedom of speech" and stating "When John Waters says that gay marriage is 'a kind of satire', that is homophobia. When Breda O’Brien says 'equality must take second place to the common good', that is homophobia. When theIona Institutecampaign against gay marriage because it is gay marriage, that is homophobia. "[3][22][23][24]RTÉ's head of television defended the €85,000 payout stating that it saved RTÉ "an absolute multiple" in the long term.[25]

Noble Call Speech[edit]

On 1 February 2014, O'Neill (as Panti) gave aNoble Callspeech at theAbbey Theatrein response to the events surrounding the RTÉ controversy,[26][27]which garnered over 200,000 views in two days.[28]As of December 2018the video has nearly 1 million views.[29]The speech was described as "the most eloquent Irish speech" in almost 200 years byFintan O'Toole[30]and garnered the support ofDan Savage[30][31]RuPaul,[32]Graham Norton,Stephen Fry,Madonna,and others.[33]T-shirts with "I'm on Team Panti" have been sold as a fundraiser for BeLonG To Youth Services,[34]raising over €10,000.[32]In March 2014, English electronic pop duoPet Shop Boysreleased the speech, backed with their music, as "Oppressive (The Best Gay Possible)", they followed up with a "slow mix" of the track, and accompanying video with a "montage of homophobia-related clips".[35]O'Neill later donated the dress he wore at the Noble Call to theNational Museum of Ireland,where it was put on display about LGBTI+ history in Ireland.[36]

Works[edit]

Theatre[edit]

  • 2005Spurt! Sister! Spurt!as Madame[37]
  • 2007In These Shoes?,Written and performed by Rory O'Neill as Panti, at theDublin Gay Theatre Festival[38]
  • 2007All Dolled Up,Written and performed by Rory O'Neill as Panti[39]
  • 2009A Woman In Progress,Written and performed by Rory O'Neill as Panti[40][41]
  • 2014High Heels in Low Places,Written and performed by Rory O'Neill as Panti.[42]
  • 2022If These Wigs Could Talk,Written and performed by Rory O'Neill as Panti.[43][44]

Media[edit]

Film[edit]

Television[edit]

Radio[edit]

  • 2011:Ireland's Karaoke Klassics,2FM, Co-presenter as Panti with Arveene
  • 2014:Sunday Breakfast With Dee Reddy,Phantom FMas guest contributor[48]
  • 2016:PantisocracyaRTÉ Radio 1four part interview series hosted by Panti[49]

Music[edit]

  • 2014: "Oppression" by Out!rage Featuring Panti Bliss released in aid ofBeLonG To
  • 2014: "The Best Gay Possible - Oppressive Dance Mix" byPet Shop Boysincorporates Panti's speech at the Abbey Theatre[32]

Book[edit]

  • Woman in the Making: A memoir,Rory O'Neill, 2014, Hachette Books Ireland.[50]

Coverage and recognition[edit]

Documentary[edit]

O'Neill and his alter ego Panti are the subject of a documentary about his early life, the events surroundingcomments O'Neill made about homophobiaand Panti's role during Ireland's successful campaign for marriage equality. Filmed over a number of years, the documentary was directed byConor Horgan.[51]The Queen of Irelandpremiered on 21 October 2015, followed by its planned nationwide release in Ireland from 23 October 2015.[52]

Awards[edit]

  • Winner of 'Business Person of the Year' – Gay and Lesbian Awards 2009[53]
  • Winner of 'Best Blog Post' – Irish Blog Awards 2010[54]
  • Attitude's Editor's Special Award - Attitude Magazine Awards 2014[55]
  • Award for contribution to Irish society - People of the Year Awards 2014[56]
  • Gold Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Public Discourse - Presented by the College Historical Society of Trinity College Dublin in 2014[57]
  • Equality Award - Presented by European Law Students Association of Trinity College Dublin in 2014[58]* James Joyce Award - Presented by Literary and Historical society of University College Dublin[59]
  • Trinity College Dublin, Honorary Degree – O'Neill was awarded with an honorary degree from Trinity College Dublin in 2015 for his contribution to LGBT rights and marriage equality[60]

References[edit]

  1. ^abTownsend, Michelle (24 November 2018)."Panti Bliss is just as gorgeous as a man".RSVP Live.Retrieved31 December2022.
  2. ^Gorman, Sophie."The high queen of Ireland: Rory O'Neill aka Panti Bliss".Irish Independent.INM. Archived fromthe originalon 1 December 2014.Retrieved20 March2017.
  3. ^abByrne, Brian (4 February 2014)."Comic Norton shows support for Panti in RTE payout row".The Irish Independent.Archived fromthe originalon 4 February 2014.Retrieved6 April2017.
  4. ^"Welcome to the Gaybourhood".The Dubliner.19 November 2007. Archived fromthe originalon 18 March 2009.Retrieved5 September2010.
  5. ^abBarry Egan (6 September 2009)."Glamour queen is not amused".Irish Independent.Archived fromthe originalon 4 August 2012.Retrieved5 September2010.
  6. ^abcdUna Mullally (15 July 2013)."Panti Unstitched".The Irish Times.Archivedfrom the original on 16 January 2014.Retrieved26 January2014.
  7. ^"Watch The Meaning of Life with Gay Byrne on RTÉ Player".RTÉ.ie.Archivedfrom the original on 18 May 2014.Retrieved12 May2014.
  8. ^"Aoibhinn and Company Wednesday 8 January 2014 - Aoibhinn and Company - RTÉ Radio 1".Aoibhinn and Company.Archivedfrom the original on 4 March 2016.Retrieved25 July2014.
  9. ^abCahir O'Doherty (19 January 2014)."Columnist John Waters in a Panti twist over anti-gay claims".Archivedfrom the original on 2 February 2014.Retrieved1 February2014.
  10. ^Rory O'Neill (22 April 2019)."My first ever drag performance, 1989".Facebook.Archivedfrom the original on 5 February 2022.Retrieved23 April2019.
  11. ^"Dublin Pride: Ireland's Biggest LGBTQ Pride Parade".Dublin LGBTQ Pride.Archivedfrom the original on 10 December 2016.Retrieved1 December2016.
  12. ^"'Gay Christmas' is cancelled. So long, Alternative Miss Ireland ".The Irish Times.15 October 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 15 October 2011.
  13. ^Browne, Niamh."Panti Bliss announced as Grand Marshall for London's St. Patrick's Parade".Hotpress.Retrieved24 June2024.
  14. ^Kilraine, John (17 March 2024)."Over 50,000 attend London St Patrick's Day parade".RTÉ Online.
  15. ^Horan, Niahm (23 February 2014)."'Pantigate' row rumbles on as journalist takes extended leave ".Irish Independent.Archived fromthe originalon 23 February 2014.
  16. ^Brian Byrne (16 January 2014)."RTE cuts part of show after legal complaint from Waters".Irish Independent.Archivedfrom the original on 17 January 2014.Retrieved1 February2014.
  17. ^"RTÉ apologises for 'distress' caused by Saturday Night Show guest's comments".TheJournal.ie. 26 January 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 27 January 2014.Retrieved26 January2014.
  18. ^"RTÉ paid out €85,000 in 'homophobe' row".Irish Independent.2 February 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 3 February 2014.Retrieved2 February2014.
  19. ^Murphy, Catherine (20 January 2014)."Column: Panti Bliss controversy raises major questions about RTE's role in public discourse".TheJournal.ie.Archivedfrom the original on 31 January 2014.Retrieved30 January2014.
  20. ^Clare Daly (20 January 2014)."RTE's Censorship and Double Standards Condones Prejudice".Archived fromthe originalon 1 November 2016.Retrieved31 January2014.
  21. ^"Sitting of 2014-02-03".European Parliament.Archivedfrom the original on 4 March 2014.
  22. ^Suzanne Lynch (5 February 2014)."MEPs call on EU to implement road map to combat homophobia - Social Affairs & News from Ireland & Abroad".The Irish Times.Archivedfrom the original on 6 February 2014.Retrieved6 February2014.
  23. ^"David Norris and Paul Murphy raise homophobia in Irish and EU parliaments".TheJournal.ie.4 February 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 22 February 2014.Retrieved6 February2014.
  24. ^Brydum, Sunnivie (5 February 2014)."WATCH: Irish Lawmakers Call Out 'Rampant Homophobia'".The Advocate.Archivedfrom the original on 9 February 2014.Retrieved6 February2014.
  25. ^"Taoiseach dismisses call to make RTÉ answerable to the Dáil".The Irish Times.5 February 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 23 February 2014.Retrieved5 February2014.
  26. ^Ramsey, Nick (2 February 2014)."Irish drag queen gives impassioned speech on gay rights".MSNBC.Archivedfrom the original on 19 April 2017.Retrieved30 November2016.
  27. ^Nichols, James (3 February 2014)."Panti Bliss, Irish Drag Queen, Gives Impassioned Speech About Homophobia".Huffington Post.Archivedfrom the original on 1 November 2016.Retrieved30 November2016.
  28. ^Buckley, Dan (6 February 2014)."Maybe we are not as tolerant as we think".Irish Examiner.Archivedfrom the original on 22 February 2014.Retrieved6 February2014.
  29. ^"Panti's Noble Call at the Abbey Theatre - WITH SUBTITLES".YouTube.2 February 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 21 December 2021.Retrieved30 November2016.
  30. ^abPeter McGuire (11 February 2014)."What Makes a Homophobe? Ireland's Debate Goes Global".Huffington Post.Archivedfrom the original on 9 March 2014.Retrieved9 March2014.
  31. ^Savage, Dan."Stupid Irish Homophobes and Their Big Homophobic Fail".The Stranger.Archivedfrom the original on 9 March 2014.Retrieved9 March2014.
  32. ^abcClare Cullen (17 February 2014)."'Team Panti' tshirts sales raise €10,000 for LGBT youth services - Independent.ie ".Irish Independent.Archived fromthe originalon 10 March 2014.Retrieved9 March2014.
  33. ^Fegan, Joyce (10 February 2014)."Panti, Madge is on your side".Irish Independent.Archived fromthe originalon 10 March 2014.Retrieved9 March2014.
  34. ^Brian O'Reilly (12 February 2014)."'Team Panti' supporters infiltrate Prime Time audience ".Irish Independent.Archived fromthe originalon 10 March 2014.Retrieved9 March2014.
  35. ^"Pet Shop Boys Release 'Slow Mix' and Video of Panti Bliss Dance Track".Towleroad.14 March 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 16 March 2014.Retrieved18 March2014.
  36. ^"Panti Bliss' Noble Call speech dress".National Museum of Ireland.Archivedfrom the original on 26 June 2020.Retrieved24 June2020.
  37. ^"Irish Theatre Magazine"retrieved 6 March 2009[dead link]
  38. ^"Dublin Gay Theatre Festival 2006 - May 7th to 20th 2007".Dublin Gay Theatre Festival.Archived fromthe originalon 12 May 2007.Retrieved30 November2016.
  39. ^"Irish Theatre Magazine"Retrieved 17 October 2007Archived2007-10-31 at theWayback Machine
  40. ^"Irish Theatre Magazine"Retrieved 27 September 2009Archived2009-10-09 at theWayback Machine
  41. ^'A Woman in Progress' in Fintan Walsh, ed., Queer Notions: New Plays and Performances from Ireland (Cork: Cork University Press, 2009).
  42. ^"Panti - High Heels In Low Places".Archived fromthe originalon 1 November 2014.
  43. ^O'Rourke, Chris (18 November 2022)."Haunted/If These Wigs Could Talk".theartsreview.Retrieved24 June2024.
  44. ^Logan, Brian (31 May 2023)."Panti Bliss review – forceful account of a remarkable life".The Guardian.ISSN0261-3077.Retrieved24 June2024.
  45. ^"Seán The Transvestite Farmer".Nighthawks.9 October 1990. RTÉ.Archivedfrom the original on 8 September 2016.Retrieved20 September2016.
  46. ^The Late Late Show[@RTELateLateShow] (4 February 2022).""I'm buzzin'!" This moment when @Brooke_Scullion was crowned as our #LateLate Eurosong winner 🥳 C'mon @Eurovision 2022! 🇮🇪😍 "(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
  47. ^"The first four contestants for DWTS have been revealed".RTÉ TEN.1 December 2022.
  48. ^"Sunday Breakfast with Dee Reddy".Wayback Machine.Archived fromthe originalon 3 February 2014.
  49. ^"Pantisocracy - RTÉ Radio 1".Pantisocracy.Archivedfrom the original on 16 September 2017.Retrieved31 August2016.
  50. ^O'Neill, Rory (2014).Woman in the Making.Hachette Books Ireland.ISBN978-1444798562.
  51. ^"See Panti, The Queen of Ireland's first live interview!".Irish Examiner.7 October 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 24 June 2021.Retrieved18 June2021.
  52. ^"Queen of Ireland premiere goes nationwide".RTÉ.2 October 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 24 January 2016.Retrieved14 October2015.
  53. ^"thegalas".thegalas.Archivedfrom the original on 26 February 2017.Retrieved31 January2014.
  54. ^"Blog Awards Ireland".blogawardsireland.Archivedfrom the original on 15 September 2017.Retrieved23 September2021.
  55. ^"Panti Bliss collects Editor's Special Award from Matthew Todd".Wayback Machine.Archived fromthe originalon 26 February 2017.
  56. ^"Panti Bliss, Garda whistleblowers named People of the Year".The Irish Times.Archivedfrom the original on 8 December 2014.Retrieved7 December2014.
  57. ^https://www.https://trinitynews.ie/2014/03/back-out-of-my-life-panti-is-honoured-by-trinity-societies/
  58. ^https://www.https://trinitynews.ie/2014/03/back-out-of-my-life-panti-is-honoured-by-trinity-societies/
  59. ^"Rory O'Neill Receives James Joyce Award".Archived fromthe originalon 11 June 2017.Retrieved28 November2015.
  60. ^"TCD confers honours on McVerry, Norris and Panti Bliss".The Irish Times.Archivedfrom the original on 30 June 2017.Retrieved28 November2015.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toPanti Bliss.
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