Panti Bliss is back!
The Irish drag queen, whose real name is Rory O’Neill, delivered a profound speech on homophobia and lingering concerns over expressing public same-sex displays of affection at a TED Talk in Dublin in September. When video footage of Panti's speech hit YouTube this week, it quickly went viral.
Deemed Ireland's foremost "gender discombobulist" and "accidental activist," Panti proclaims, "I’m 45 years old and I have never once casually, comfortably, carelessly held hands with a partner in public."
She adds:
I’m 45 years old and I’m not putting up anymore because I don’t have the energy anymore. Putting up is exhausting. I’m 45 years old and I’m not putting up anymore because I don’t have the patience anymore. I was born six months before the Stonewall riots and you have had 45 years to work out that despite appearances, I am just as ordinary, just as unremarkable, and just as human as you are. I’m 45 years old and I’m not asking anymore. I am just being…human being."
The speech features the same wit and candor that the drag queen first displayed last February, in an impassioned and heartfelt speech about the nature of homophobia following the conclusion of an Irish play.
Glad to have you back, Panti!
Before You Go
