GEN E

Welcome to GEN E (Generation Equal). Here you can discover the voices, stories and lived experiences of LGBTQ+ young people and those from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Let’s kickstart the conversation about the real issues around diversity and inclusion facing young people today and work to make equality a reality.

Five contributors have shared their unique perspectives on what equality means to them, and how they are working towards creating a more just and equitable world.

GEN E was created alongside Accenture with the support of spunout Youth Action Panels, volunteer contributors and staff.

The films were produced by creative agency FUEL, alongside director Eamonn Murphy.

Vol. 1 – Caitlin Maniti (she/her)

Caitlin Faye Maniti, 19, has been living in Donegal for 15 years, but was born in the Philippines, moving to Ireland with her parents when she was just four years old.

We hear about Caitlin’s struggle to feel accepted while growing up living in a new and different culture, how she found it hard to publicly talk about her story and background and the loneliness she felt without someone to relate to.

Vol. 2 – Cian Griffin (he/him)

Cian, 27, is the person behind the Gaylgeoiriì Instagram account and was the Mens’+ Gaelic Football captain with Na Gaeil Aeracha in 2022 (Ireland’s first queer-inclusive GAA/LGFA club) for their first year, and he is currently their Social Media Manager and PRO.

Cian authored a poem about his journey to being part of the LGBTQ+ community from an early age, and how finding his community in NGA was so important to his self-acceptance.

Vol. 3 – Elliot Kwelele (he/him)

Elliot’s story is one of strength and perseverance. A double World Champion Irish Dancer at only 17, he hails from Co. Louth with his Nigerian born-Irish parents.

Elliot shares his journey of overcoming the stigma of being part of traditionally a Caucasian, female-dominated sport coupled with his struggles to find his community in Ireland.

Vol. 4 – Sarah Murray (they/them)

Sarah is a 22 year old multiple neurodivergent & queer content creator from Galway. Their content primarily focuses on disability, LGBTQ+ community & the intersections of them. They use their platform on TikTok and Instagram in hopes that other neurodivergent people find a place they feel safe and welcome.

Sarah not only talks through how they struggled with their identity but how it’s okay to continue to struggle with self-acceptance and understand how to access the right help when needed.

Vol. 5 – Niall Casey (he/him)

Niall is a 21 year old Kerry based make-up artist and content creator who exploded onto the make-up scene after making the final on RTE’s Glow Up Ireland.

With a successful social following and impressive skills, it looked as though Niall was always this honest. However, we hear about his own personal journey to self-acceptance, his struggles on coming out as gay and how important creativity and self-expression is to showing who you are.

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