TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY Martin Murray

Since 2019, I have been writing for GNI Magazine on local, national and international sports personalities. I have had a blast using my platform to launch LGBTQ Teams and events across the country and making sports bodies and Belfast Pride a more inclusive space for the whole community. My work with GNI and Sporting Pride has brought joy and opportunity to thousands across the country and I have received such waves of love and support. I truly have discovered the power of inclusivity and the power of love.

I had one hiccup working with a few troubled individuals who have caused issues for me for over a year now. They have now tried to hurt other organisations I am involved with which is why I have made the difficult position to separate myself from those organisations and remove and protect them. I now have a legacy too large to stop with 100s of LGBTQ Activists across Ireland working on sports equality.

When I first started, I had the goal of setting up a national LGBTQ Sports day and as of 21st October 2023, my dream came true at Sport Ireland headquarters in Dublin with LGBTQ sports teams, corporate companies and politician’s nationwide coming together to learn and celebrate. On top of this, I will be a part of GAA history and Belfast Pride History for my work on making Ulster GAA more diverse and as the founder of Belfast Frontrunners connecting with over 100 clubs across more than 19 countries.

Therefore, the question is, now that I achieved another goal, where do we go from here. I think we all have a responsibility to give back to the community and world around us but I did find my place and I am aware that it is not possible for someone to do that role at the same level I have access to achieve. I am at a loss to what I should do next but I will always be available to all my fellow activists for advice and anything they need from me.

I think its ok to be a little lost every now and again. When I was a teenager, I worked in theatre and film and was in full time education, so I was busy constantly working. I left school during the 2008 financial crash and then left university during the 2012 economic drop so in my 20s I continued to work in film and television but got involved in finance and marketing completing my degree and postgraduate qualifications as a backup.

Following my assault at the age of 28 I decided to put my energy into making sure what happened to me never happens to another person again. I think I have added a wave of motion to get us to that status but there is still a journey for our community to go through in calling out and putting a stop to sexual assault.

For now, though I think it is time I focus a little on myself. I have not actually been on a date or a holiday since my assault 4 years ago so I think it is time for a change. As I change my life, I think it is time I change my media contribution too. I recently joined an LGBTQ Book club called Get Er’ Booked so I would like to discuss some iconic queer literature starting with the diva of horror Miss Carrie White.

Carrie White - “People don’t get better, they just get smarter.”

As I discuss my fear and excitement for the future, I think it is suitable to be looking at ‘Carrie’ by Stephen King. Carrie tells the story of a young girl in high school who has just hit late puberty. A concept she knows little about due to her strict religious upbringing and lack of friends. On top of battling an abusive mother and school bullies, Carrie has to come to terms with learning of her telekinetic powers. On its surface, Carrie is a typical coming of age horror story leading to an epic massacre with a young pretty girl as the protagonist. However, Carrie is so much more as we examine how hormones effect each of our young high school students. We learn of Carries mother’s youth and relationship to sex. Next, we learn of Carries Neighbours introduction to her own body. Later, we hear about how Tommy and Sue see their future. Themes range from trauma, harassment, sex, body positivity, religion and education to family and crossgenerational societal views.

One thing is certain and that is that the popularity of ‘Carrie’ comes from its agelessness. Carrie may be a terrifying tale of how when a young girl is pushed too far she destroys and entire town causing unimaginable pain and fear in its residents but its charm comes from the fact that the storylines of each of its characters are relevant to every generation trying to find its place in this world.

The real reason I would recommend reading Carrie though comes from the scenes that did not make the films. One particular scene I was surprised to read was when Carrie leaves the Prom and confronts the town’s adult citizens. This scene is far darker, shows the depths of Carries anger at humanity or rather her town’s lack of humanity, and adds to the religious imagery of the book, which is highly inspired by biblical tales.