irish travellers stereotypes

9 myths and the truth about Gypsies and Travellers

For starters, only a small number of travellers camp illegally

• 00:01, 25 OCT 2019
• Updated 15:20, 25 OCT 2019

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Travellers and Gypsies are one of the most misunderstood minority groups in the UK.

To combat this  the Travellers' Times website has created a guide, which aims to promote positive images of the Traveller and Gypsy community.

It has been written in response to hate crime and racist language directed towards their communities.

Cambridgeshire has seen tensions between the Traveller and settled communities in recent years, with caravans pitching on unauthorised sites across including Fulbourn, Papworth, Cambourne and at Cambridge Business and Research Park.

As well as causing disruption to residential communities, there can often be a hefty clean-up bill as some groups leave behind piles of rubbish.

Cambridge police say they are committed to working with local councils to tackle the problem and has previously used powers under Section 61 of the Crime and Disorder Act to order unlawful encampments to disperse.

But, as the Travellers' Times points out, a only a small number of Travellers camp illegally.

While tensions can run high at times many people hold misconceptions, which Travellers' Times hopes to dispell.

Things you should know about gypsies and travellers according to Travellers' Times

There are nine reoccurring myths and misconceptions about their culture and origins.

1) Who are the UK’s Gypsies and Travellers?

Travellers and Gypsies have a rich and varied history.

Romany Gypsies are the descendants of a migration of peoples from Northern India in the 10-12AD, who spread across Eastern and Western Europe, reaching Great Britain in around the 1600’s.

Irish Travellers – or Pavee – and Scottish Travellers - are the descendants of a nomadic people who have traditionally inhabited Ireland and mainland Britain.

Roma usually refers to the descendants of the migration of various groups of peoples from Northern India in the 10th to 12th century who settled in Eastern and Western Europe.

2) Should we use a capital letter to start ‘gypsy and/or traveller’?

Romany Gypsies, Scottish, Welsh and Irish Travellers are all ethnic minorities, recognised under UK law and the Irish government.

Therefore it is customary to capitalise ‘G’ and ‘T’ for Gypsies and Travellers.

3) Lifestyle, ethnic group or ‘community’?

Research shows Gypsies, Roma and Travellers (GRT) should be seen as ethnic groups rather than ‘lifestyles’.

All the different GRT groups in the UK have a shared language or dialect, some shared cultural practices, most will identify as an ethnic group, and all individuals from all groups are legally recognised as ethnic minorities under the Equalities Act 2010.

4) How many Travellers live in the UK?

In the 2011 Census, 58,000 people identified themselves as Gypsy or Irish Traveller, accounting for just 0.1 per cent of the resident population of England and Wales. However the figure is likely to be much higher.

5) Traveller politics

There is a cross-party parliamentary group called the All Party Parliamentary Group for Gypsies, Roma and Travellers.

This is currently led by the charity Friends, Families and Travellers and the co-Chairs are Kate Green, MP for Stretford and Urmston, and Baroness Janet Whitaker.

6) Where do Travellers live?

The number of Gypsy and Traveller caravans in England and Wales is recorded twice yearly.

The vast majority of Gypsies and Travellers living in caravans stay on permanent public and private sites which have planning permission, waste collection and are subject to rent (unless of course the site is privately owned by the occupier), council tax and utility bills.

7) A small minority pitch on unauthorised land

A small minority of Gypsies and Traveller caravans are classed as unauthorised and staying on land they do not own, such as roadside camps.

This minority, which will include Gypsies and Travellers with no other place to stay and also Gypsies and Travellers moving off authorised sites to go ‘travelling’ during the summer, receives the vast majority of local news coverage.

7) Criminal Justice System

Far too many Gypsies and Travellers are in prison, as many as five per cent of the population according to Government research.

Meanwhile 0.13 per cent of the general UK population are in prision.

The Irish Chaplaincy in Britain works with Gypsies and Travellers in custody. Some prisons have their own GRT Prisoner Groups. The Travellers’ Times Magazine is delivered free to many UK HMP’s and the editor receives many letters from prisoners.

8) Nomadism

Nomadism is a shared heritage of Gypsies and Travellers and not a present reality.

Not all Gypsies and Irish and Scottish Travellers ‘travel’ – or may only ‘travel’ to traditional cultural events like Appleby Horse Fair.

9) Prejudice, oppression and the Holocaust

Many Gypsies, Roma and Travellers face daily prejudice based on negative stereotyping and misunderstanding.

This is because people generalise from the anti-social actions of a few and protect that onto the whole population.

Prejudice against them is longstanding.

In some Eastern and even Western European countries, Roma are segregated and live in camps and slums isolated from the rest of the population.

Alongside the Jewish population Roma were specifically singled out for extermination by Nazi racial policy.

Historians estimate the number murdered by Nazi and axis regimes during the Second World War to be around 500,000, although some historians say it is closer to a million.

• Most Recent

15 Common Stereotypes About Irish People

Categories Culture and Food

There are many stereotypes about Irish people . 

In films and on TV, the Irish are often portrayed as redheads. Redheads who drink a lot and are often seen starting pub brawls. These Irish stereotypes range from the silly personality quirks to the downright strange, which may or may not be accurate.

Things you'll find in this article

1. Irish are all redheads.

2. they have a thing for potatoes., 3. irish cuisine is a letdown., 4. the irish love their tea. , 5. they are all drunkards. , 6. they use the word “wee” a lot., 7. everyone in ireland is called mary., 8. the irish are obsessed with their country, 9. they are obsessed with the weather. , 10. they hate the british., 11. the irish love fighting., 12. they are deeply religious, 13. they don’t respond well to compliments., 14. they’re a very friendly bunch of people., 15. they like to talk. .

Before you set out on a visit to Ireland and to dispel prejudice, here are 15 Irish stereotypes and whether there is truth to them or not.

While Ireland has the largest per capita ratio of persons with red hair, only 10% of the population has this color. If someone had red hair back in the day, it was a dead giveaway that they were Irish. These days, however, naturally red-haired people are found in Mongolia, Israel, and China, among other countries.

The Irish are known for their love of potatoes. It is a favorite of many Irish people because it is such a versatile vegetable. They appreciate discovering new ways to incorporate the potato into their meals, from roast to mashed potatoes. But it’s no longer reasonable to assume that’s all they eat. Ireland’s cuisine has drastically diversified as a result of a large influx of international communities around the country.

It’s been suggested that Irish food isn’t up to par, but it’s not! Naturally, one must select the well-reviewed restaurants, but the country also offers excellent seafood, such as salmon and oysters.

If one must-try local dishes, Irish stews, and fish pies are two of the country’s most unique and tasty traditional meals.

Tea is the go-to beverage in Ireland in any situation. Stressed? Make yourself some tea. Tired? Make yourself some tea. Do you have a fever? Make yourself some tea. Sleepless? Make yourself some tea.

Most people use medication, but in Ireland, if tea doesn’t help, it’s not looking good for you, my friend. This is another one of the most common Irish stereotypes that are quite accurate.

This is a widely held Irish stereotype that they work hard to eradicate. To suggest that the Irish don’t like to drink is an exaggeration. The citizens of Guinness’s home country is proud of its famed export and enjoys a good pint on any occasion.

However, opinions against binge drinking have shifted in the last decade or so. Even while alcohol is present on many occasions, efforts have been made to separate drinking from everyday cultures, such as sporting activities.

This is one of the most common stereotypes about Ireland, and it’s true. It is something that even the non-Irish can adapt. 

Notice that using ‘wee’ in most sentences makes everything sound more adorable or less harsh. Try it with anything. You can say anything to anyone and get away with it if you sugarcoat it with the word ‘wee.’ 

“That man is the devil personified” can be said as “That man is such a wee devil,” How could that possibly be offensive?

This sounds like a silly Irish stereotype, but it does exist. 

Mary was once the most popular name for a girl in Ireland, but it is no longer so. Thus, the stereotype should probably be updated to “everyone in Ireland knows someone named Mary.”

Another popular Irish stereotype is that they are devoted to their homeland. 

The Irish are adamant that Ireland is the most beautiful place on the planet, and they will talk about it until you agree. When they’re done chatting, you’ll probably want to migrate to Ireland.

There is some truth to this stereotype. Of course, you’d be obsessed if you spent 300 days of the year hoping for pleasant weather. The weather in Ireland is known for having four  seasons in a single day.

At the same time, the weather can be both unpredictable and lovely. And, yes, it’s also a terrific way to start a conversation. 

This is not true. Their relationship has been tense at times as a former British colony and its closest neighbor.

But Ireland and England’s love/hate relationship is more akin to sibling rivalry than anything else – England is the older sibling, while Ireland is the younger sibling. 

This is possibly one of the most well-known stereotypes about Irish people. We can’t blame others for thinking this is true because the Irish are often portrayed in brawling in many films. The country has even won several Olympic medals for boxing.

In truth, the Irish are a proud people. They spent many years fighting against an oppressor as a former colony. This may have engendered a desire to defend oneself.

They are, nevertheless, a fun-loving, peace-loving group of people. They are, however, incredibly proud of their Olympic boxing idols, particularly Katie Taylor.

If you had visited Ireland twenty years ago, the stereotype would have been true.

In recent years, Ireland has become significantly less religious and conservative, having recently approved gay marriage. Irish emigration rates have long been known.

However, a substantial number of Irish people returned home in the 1990s when their economy improved. They brought with them a stronger desire for church-state separation as well as more open minds.

The Irish are known for their modesty. Many of them find it difficult to appreciate a compliment, often feeling compelled to repay the compliment or diminish it by criticizing themselves in response.

So be prepared to hear about how they found this old stuff in the dumpster if you tell an Irish person you appreciate their outfit-for-the-day.

While it is true that the Irish are affable, there was a point during the Celtic Tiger when they lost their inherent charm. Thankfully, the Irish restored their loveable and welcoming manners after a harsh return to reality — in the midst of a financial crisis in 2008. 

 Prepare to meet curious and chatty Irish folks wherever you go.

Yes. Be ready and be sure you have all day. The Irish are a particularly chatty, inquisitive bunch. 

Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries for the past 8 years. I also lived in 3 continents – from the Caribbean, South East Asia to Africa. But despite living in several countries, my love for Ireland remains the same. A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Ireland Travel Guides was born because of this passion and hopefully, in some little ways, this website will be able to help you on your next trip to Ireland.

New research shows Irish Travellers were racially abused and marginalised following controversial Channel 4 Dispatches programme

New research by charity the Traveller Movement, shows Gypsies and Irish Travellers were racially abused and criminally stereotyped following a Channel 4 programme which first aired in April of last year.  

Dispatches: the Truth about Traveller Crime first aired on the 16th of April 2020 and was roundly condemned by activists and leading anti-racism campaigners as racist and  dehumanising . Ofcom, the broadcast regulator received nearly a thousand complaints, including a  statement  from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.  

The report published Wednesday the 12th of May aims to highlight some of the damage caused to Gypsies and Irish Travellers in the aftermath of the programme. The report entitled Travellers and Crime? Reflections on the Channel 4 documentary and criminal stereotyping aims to centre the voices of those directly impacted by the Channel 4 programme and by anti-Traveller stereotyping more widely.  

The report provides ample evidence of the pervasive discrimination Gypsies, Roma and Travellers face and the ways in which this discrimination is created and perpetuated by the media. 68 responses in total were received and explored everything from the immediate fall out to the programme, the everyday experience of anti-Traveller racism, as well as Travellers’ experiences of reporting crime to the police.  

Of the 74% of respondents who watched the programme, many expressed disbelief, feelings of unfairness, and fear.  

‘Quite worrying that a mainstream TV channel can get away with awful stereotyping of the most marginalised and vulnerable communities in the country. Total sensationalism and racist.’ 

Another respondent remarked on the direct harmful impact the show had on their relationship with a neighbour:   

‘Since the filming my neighbour’s have started giving me abuse again, and my windows have been smashed in.’ 

When discussing the criminal stereotypes forced upon Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people most respondents discussed scapegoating and the negative portrayal of Travellers in the media. 

‘They hear bad stories in local press and spread rumors. Folks love a bogey man!’ 

The report makes wide ranging recommendations for the media, the police and for Ofcom.  

Ofcom’s ongoing investigation    

Despite Ofcom receiving nearly a thousand complaints, including a letter signed nearly 8,000 times, it has yet to publish the findings from its investigation.  

 In response to a parliamentary question about what was causing the delay, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport John Whittingdale MP stated "Ofcom is the UK’s independent regulator of television. Decisions on broadcasting regulation, including the duration of their investigations, are a matter for Ofcom" 

 Commenting on the report, CEO of the Traveller Movement Yvonne MacNamara said: t his report shows the immense distress and hurt caused by the Dispatches programme to Gypsies and Travellers. Ofcom opened its investigation on the 29th of May 2020, yet here we are twelve months later and still without a clear indication of when that investigation will end. Where’s Ofcom? We are losing faith in our broadcast regulator and its ability to do its job.  

Prejudice against travellers is the ‘last acceptable racism’

A moment of history was made in Ireland at the end of last month. Eileen Flynn became the first ever individual from the travelling community to sit in the Seanad, which is the upper house of the Irish Parliament. Growing up on a travellers’ halting site in Dublin, she pledged to use her newfound power to break barriers and assist marginalised communities. As a rights activist, she has campaigned on many issues including same sex marriage, homelessness, and abortion.  

During her opening speech to the Seanad, she raised her struggles growing up: her family potentially going without heating for a week and difficulties at school following the death of her mother when she was only 10. After attending an access course at Trinity College Dublin, she was one of 11 seats in the Parliament filled via a nominee. Both the Women’s Council of Ireland and travellers’ rights group Pavee Point deemed her appointment ‘historic’. With over 30,000 travellers in Ireland as of 2016, they were finally declared an indigenous ethnic minority by the Irish government in 2017.

However, the situation for travellers isn’t quite as brilliant as this achievement. A report by the Seanad found that travellers were still experiencing “stigma, longstanding prejudice, discrimination, racism, social exclusion, and identity erosion ”. This is certainly the case within the UK, as debates that take place in the UK Parliament often focus on separating the traveller community from the rest of society.

Treatment like this forces all individuals to suffer discrimination from the actions of a few

Labour MP Tony Lloyd deviated from this trend by recognising that the traveller community often face the “biggest levels of racism and discrimination”. This was linked to a YouGov poll from 2017 that found more than 40% of British parents would be uncomfortable if their child formed a close relationship with a traveller. The survey also found a third of parents would be unhappy for their child to go on a playdate at the home of a traveller.

That a minority of travellers commit crimes, (just as all humans have the ability to commit crimes), has meant that prejudice has formed against the community as a whole. This hasn’t been helped by some newspaper publications judging all travellers as a homogenous group. Treatment like this forces all individuals to suffer discrimination due to the actions of a few. In schools, travellers experienced severe discrimination and bullying , which has often meant keeping their ethnicity a secret. Instead of being themselves, travellers have to risk drip-feeding information about their past to others or saying nothing at all. Neither should be the case in a civilised society.

The broadcasting media can also fuel these prejudices. A Channel 4 Dispatches documentary about travellers was found to be using misleading data in its analysis. For example, the documentary investigated rates of crime within a one mile radius of traveller sites. In 56% of cases across the 237 chosen sites, the rate of crime was lower than the national average. However, the documentary was found to overly focus on the 27% of cases where the rate of crime is higher than the national average.

Jim Davies, founder of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Police Association, stated the data “would crumble under the slightest scrutiny” and that an increase in prejudice against the traveller community had already been witnessed following the documentary. All crime, in whatever form, must be opposed. What travellers oppose is the assumption they will commit crimes, like theft, simply because they are travellers.

The tactic of demonising travellers has been used shamefully in election campaigns. The OpenDemocracy website found the Conservatives had used discriminatory statements about travellers within their election material. For example, the website found a candidate in Crewe and Nantwich led a campaign against the Romani community, while another in South West Bedfordshire backed proposals which could have amounted to ‘forced assimilation’.

Despite Romani individuals being the largest ethnic minority within the EU they are still receiving discrimination

This came after Home Secretary Priti Patel announced a consultation into powers that would allow the police to confiscate traveller property last year. The human rights group Friends, Families, and Travellers told OpenDemocracy that the proposals “focus on the behaviour of a minority, yet tar all Gypsies and Travellers with the same brush ”. A complete lack of political representation from travellers has allowed such actions to go unchallenged.

A Guardian article reports how prejudice has been historic. Half a million Roma people were killed during the Holocaust and despite being the largest ethnic minority within the EU, the group are still receiving discrimination in contemporary society. The article reports unequal treatment, separation and, in 2010, French president Nicolas Sarkozy paying Roma €300 to leave France . Illegal sites exist often due to inadequate housing, a problem facing the whole country. A mixture of structural responses- liberalising the green belt and extending council housing- is essential.

But transforming the hearts and minds of citizens will also be necessary. Negative stereotypes of travellers lead to negative attitudes towards them as a whole. A report entitled ‘The Last Acceptable Racism’ found 7 0% of gypsies had experienced educational discrimination . When education is the key for leading a successful, worthwhile life, how can society allow this to go unchallenged? The problems have been identified. It is up to politicians, campaigners and humanity to find the solutions.

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Irish Travellers 'mental health crisis' driven by discrimination and deprivation

• Published 18 April 2022

Members of the community say discrimination is causing a mental health crisis in their home country

Irish Travellers suffer some of the worst discrimination and poverty of any ethnic group in Europe, according to European Union research , external .

Members of the community have said it is causing a mental health crisis in their home country.

In 2021, an Irish parliamentary committee reported that 11% of Travellers in Ireland die by suicide , external .

It also said that life expectancy among men in the community is up to 15 years shorter than the wider population.

Rose Marie Maughan works with the Irish Travellers Movement, a national network of over 40 organisations.

"Our suicide rate is seven times higher than non-travellers," she said.

"Only 3% of us live past the age of 65 and 80% of us are unemployed.

"If that was any other community in Ireland, there would be international attention."

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Irish Traveller Mags Casey lost 28 family members to suicide

Mags Casey is the chair of the Irish Travellers National Mental Health Network.

Nearly 30 members of her extended family have died by suicide in the last 10 years.

Her sister-in-law died in January 2012, followed two years later by her brother, who, Mags said, never recovered from the grief of losing his wife.

"The first suicide in our family, I thought the world ended," she said.

"I didn't know how to sit with four children and tell them your mother's dead, your mother's gone.

"The devastating effects it has on a family - addiction, family breakdown, a spiral of grief, young people not knowing how to deal with that grief."

'You're living two lives'

David Friel, a 24-year-old from County Donegal, is the first Traveller in the north-west of Ireland to achieve a masters degree.

Only 1% of Irish Travellers reach third-level education compared to over half of the general population.

David said that young Irish Travellers are struggling to balance their sense of identity with the demands of belonging in Irish society.

"It's trying to pass as a member of the settled population," he added.

David's grandfather kept 100 horses but now he said the family are struggling to maintain one horse

"So, you're not being your true authentic self. That mentally is very, very difficult.

"You're living two lives, and no-one can maintain that."

Irish Travellers have a long history of nomadism, but activists have said laws have seen them forced to assimilate into the "settled" population and abandon traditions like living in caravans, keeping horses and specialist trades.

They have said their culture is being eroded.

David's grandfather kept 100 horses, but now, he said, the family is struggling to maintain one horse.

"The traditional means of employment have been obliterated - tinsmithing, or hawking, or gathering whelks or scrap," he explained.

"If you don't have employment, it's very difficult to sustain animals."

'Out of sight and out of mind'

Mags Casey highlighted the halting site where she grew up in Limerick.

A large wall has been built around the site separating it from the nearby housing estates.

"They deliberately put that wall around us to fence Travellers in completely," said Mags.

"Away from society. Out of sight and out of mind."

A large wall has been built around a halting site in Limerick, separating it from the nearby housing estates

Campaigners say Travellers have a distinct identity and that their culture is often misconstrued because they are not represented in many aspects of everyday life.

They claim that prejudice against Travellers has become socially acceptable and isn't challenged in the same way other forms of discrimination are.

"It is totally embedded in Irish society to accept racism against Travellers," said David.

"If we look at the media, if we look at the gardaí (Irish police), we look at teachers, we look at politics - we're not represented.

"It's about having Travellers at the table, having meaningful dialogue and having the narratives from within the community."

Prof Verene Shepherd is the chair of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which published its most recent major report on Ireland in 2019 , external .

Travellers say they need more action and support to address the discrimination

"Travellers are 10 times more likely to experience discrimination in seeking work," said Prof Shepherd.

"Travellers are more than 22 times more likely than white Irish to experience discrimination in shops, pubs and restaurants."

The Irish government has said it has a range of policies to encourage the inclusion of Travellers in areas like education, employment, health and accommodation.

But Irish Travellers have said they need more action and support to address the discrimination creating a mental health crisis in their community.

Specific spending on Traveller mental health is €250,000 (£207,013) a year, and €12m (£9.9m) went towards Traveller accommodation in 2021.

"We're proud and we're dignified people," said Mags.

"We have solutions and we want you to listen to us. We aren't in it for money.

"We're in it to stay alive and keep our young kids alive."

You can watch Travellers: A Culture In Crisis on the BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds .

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this video, please visit the BBC Action Line here .

This article was updated on 26 July 2022 to link to the research referred to in it.

Related Topics

• Republic of Ireland
• Mental health

More on this story

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Joint Committee on Key Issues facing the Traveller Community publishes final report

2 dec 2021, 10:50.

The Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community has published its final report into inequalities faced by the Traveller Community, today Thursday December 02.

The report examines the stark inequalities of opportunity and outcome faced by the Traveller Community in the areas of health, education, employment and accommodation and recommends policy directions to mitigate the effects on the Traveller Community.

The Committee met with a large number of stakeholders including Ministers and Government department officials, state agencies, NGOs and advocacy groups and most importantly, representatives from Traveller organisations, both national and local.  

It is the Committee’s view that Traveller voices must be central in any examination of the issues faced by them, and that no solutions will be found for the serious inequalities faced by Travellers without the engagement and collaboration of the Traveller community themselves.

Launching the report, Committee Chairperson Senator Eileen Flynn said: “It gives me great pleasure, as someone who comes from Labre Park, to be able to chair this committee and open up those opportunities to many more Travellers. Travellers are one of the most studied groups in society. Over the years there have been numerous reports and studies produced which have highlighted the extreme difficulties and challenges faced by the Traveller community. Unfortunately, it is clear that these have not succeeded in improving conditions in Travellers’ lives.”

 “The Committee visited several Traveller accommodation sites around the country, to allow members to see for themselves the conditions Travellers are forced to endure, and to meet with residents and hear their experiences first-hand. Following the publication of the landmark No End in Site report into the Spring Lane halting site in Co Cork by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office – it is clear that such living conditions for Travellers can no longer endure.”

“Deficient and substandard living conditions precarious accommodation and homelessness have severely detrimental effects on both mental and physical health, and brutally impact Traveller children’s ability to thrive in education. Lower educational outcomes have a damaging impact on employment opportunities. Chronic unemployment causes stress and has negative consequences for mental health. These issues will not be solved in isolation and must be tackled through a whole of Government and a whole of society approach.” 

“Despite the dire conditions on the sites we visited, the Committee was particularly struck by the pride and care taken in the homes on site. The Committee offers a special thanks to the residents for welcoming them into their homes and sharing their stories and experiences.”  

“Travellers were particularly impacted by the pandemic due to their unsuitable living conditions. Living in overcrowded conditions prevented many Travellers from self-isolating when required to do so by public health guidelines. The lack of access to running water also made it difficult to comply with guidelines on hand hygiene. It took Covid-19 for some families to get water and portable toilets as a temporary emergency measure. There should be an immediate report prepared in relation to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Traveller community, and appropriate actions should be taken to address all concerns raised in this report.”

“I can’t stress this enough, the recommendations must be implemented. It is no exaggeration when I say that if these recommendations are implemented, they would create opportunities for Travellers that were not there before. This report will mean nothing if the recommendations are not implemented. Most importantly, it would mean a loss of hope for many Travellers who need those actions to be implemented as soon as possible.”

  The full report and its recommendations is available to read on the Committee’s webpage.  

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Updated on October 2, 2023 / By Lisa Reitelbach

Irish Travelers’ Dressing Style: Debunking the Provocative Myth

The Irish Travelers, a distinct and often misunderstood community in Ireland, have long been the subject of myths and stereotypes. Among these misconceptions is the belief that Travelers dress provocatively, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and stigmatizing an already marginalized group.

In this blog post, we delve into the fascinating world of Irish Travelers’ fashion and aim to debunk the provocative dressing myth. We’ll explore the history, cultural significance, and evolution of Traveler clothing, shedding light on the real story behind their attire.

By challenging these misconceptions, we hope to promote understanding and respect for this unique community’s rich cultural heritage, rather than reinforcing negative stereotypes.

Irish Travelers’ Dressing Style

Irish Travelers, also known as Pavees or Minceirí, have a distinctive and traditional dressing style that reflects their cultural identity and nomadic way of life. 

Here are some features of Irish Travelers’ dressing style:

Bright Colors and Patterns

Irish Travelers often favor vibrant and colorful clothing. Bright hues, intricate patterns, and floral designs are commonly seen in their dresses and skirts, contributing to a lively and eye-catching appearance.

Modesty and Elegance

Traditional dresses for women are often long and modest, reflecting a sense of cultural conservatism. Despite the vibrant colors, there is a certain elegance and grace in their dress style.

Scarves and Shawls

Women frequently wear scarves or shawls, which are not only practical for different weather conditions but also serve as additional adornments. These accessories often complement the overall look of the outfit.

Tailored Suits for Men

Men in the Irish Traveler community often wear well-tailored suits, especially during special occasions and events. Suits are a symbol of formality, respect, and cultural pride.

Head Coverings

Women may wear headscarves or bonnets as part of their traditional attire. The style of head covering can vary, and it is often a cultural marker that signifies identity within the Traveler community.

Jewelry and Adornments

Both men and women may wear jewelry and accessories. Women may adorn themselves with earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, while men might wear rings or other accessories.

Traditional Wedding Attire

Wedding attire is especially elaborate and rich in symbolism. The bride’s dress is often ornate, and weddings are significant cultural events within the community.

Practicality and Durability

Given the nomadic lifestyle of Irish Travelers, clothing is chosen for practicality and durability. Fabrics and designs need to withstand the rigors of daily life, including frequent travel and exposure to various weather conditions.

It’s important to note that while there are certain commonalities in dressing style among Irish Travelers, individual choices and preferences can vary. 

Additionally, the Traveler community, like any cultural group, experiences changes over time, and contemporary fashion may also influence the Irish traveler style.

Dress Culture of Irish Travellers

The dress culture of Irish Travelers, also known as Pavees or Minceirí, reflects a unique blend of tradition, practicality, and cultural identity. 

While individual styles can vary, certain elements are characteristic of the dress culture within this community:

Vibrant Colors and Patterns

Traditional Irish Traveler clothing often features bright and vibrant colors. Dresses and skirts for women may showcase bold patterns and floral designs, contributing to a distinctive and lively appearance.

Modesty in Women’s Attire

Women’s dresses are typically long and modest, reflecting a cultural emphasis on modesty and conservatism. The style often includes long sleeves and high necklines.

Formal and Informal Wear

While everyday wear tends to be practical and comfortable, Irish travellers clothes have distinct styles for formal occasions. 

Formal dresses for women and well-tailored suits for men are worn during events such as weddings or religious ceremonies.

Women may wear headscarves or bonnets, often matching the colors and patterns of their dresses. Head coverings are a cultural marker and contribute to the overall traditional appearance.

Men in the Traveler community often wear well-tailored suits for formal events. The suits are considered a symbol of respect and cultural pride.

Practical and Durable Fabrics

Due to the nomadic lifestyle of Irish Travelers, clothing is chosen for its practicality and durability. Fabrics are selected to withstand frequent travel, different weather conditions, and the demands of daily life.

Wedding Attire

Weddings are significant cultural events within the Traveler community, and wedding attire is elaborate. The bride’s dress is often adorned with intricate details, and wedding celebrations are marked by traditional clothing.

Influence of Tradition

The dress culture of Irish Travelers is deeply rooted in tradition, and many clothing choices are influenced by cultural practices, familial expectations, and a desire to preserve a distinct identity.

Adaptation to Contemporary Fashion

While maintaining traditional elements, Irish Travelers may incorporate some aspects of contemporary fashion into their dress, especially in casual or everyday wear. 

This blending of tradition and modernity reflects the dynamic nature of cultural practices.

It’s essential to approach discussions of dress culture with sensitivity, as practices may vary among different groups of Irish Travelers, and individuals within the community may have unique preferences and interpretations of traditional attire.

Why Do Irish Travellers Dress Provocatively?

Irish Travellers are a distinct ethnic group in Ireland, with their own unique culture and traditions. Their dressing style, like any other cultural group, can vary widely depending on personal preferences, age, regional influences, and evolving fashion trends. 

As with any community, some individuals may choose to dress in a more attention-grabbing manner, while others may prefer conservative or traditional clothing.

It’s crucial to recognize that Irish Travellers, like any community, should not be reduced to a stereotype based on their dressing style or any other aspect of their culture. Dressing preferences are an individual choice, and there is no inherent reason for them to dress “provocatively” as a group.

However, it’s essential to recognize that perceptions of clothing can be subjective and influenced by cultural, social, and individual factors. Some points to consider are:

Individual Choice and Expression

Like any community, Irish Travelers consist of individuals with diverse tastes and styles. Some may choose clothing that is perceived as more provocative based on personal preferences and trends.

Generational and Cultural Shifts

Younger generations may adopt styles influenced by contemporary fashion trends, which may include clothing choices that are perceived as more provocative compared to traditional or older styles within the community.

Media Influence

Exposure to mainstream media and fashion trends can impact the choices of individuals, including those within the Irish Traveler community. 

Access to a globalized fashion culture may lead to variations in clothing styles.

Cultural Misinterpretations

Sometimes, there can be misinterpretations or stereotypes about the clothing choices of specific communities. 

It’s important to avoid generalizations and recognize the diversity of styles and preferences within any cultural or ethnic group.

It’s crucial to approach discussions about dress with sensitivity and an understanding of the complexity and individuality of choices within any community. 

Blanket assumptions about provocative dressing may perpetuate stereotypes and misunderstandings.

What “Provocative” Means in the Context of Irish Traveller Fashion ?

Using the term “provocative” to describe Irish traveller’s fashion is problematic as it can carry negative connotations and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. What may be considered provocative varies significantly from one culture to another and is subjective based on societal norms and personal beliefs.

It’s important to avoid labeling the dressing style of any cultural group as provocative or inappropriate without understanding the cultural context and the meaning attached to their clothing choices. Irish Travellers, like any other, have their own set of values, and traditions, for choosing their attire.

To summarize, it’s crucial to approach discussions about Irish traveller’s fashion choices of any cultural group with sensitivity, respect, and an understanding that individuals within that group may have diverse preferences and reasons for their clothing choices.

The Symbolism Behind the Attire of Irish Travellers

The attire of Irish Travellers holds significant symbolism, reflecting their cultural identity, traditions, and values. It is essential to understand that the symbolism may vary among different families or communities within the Traveller population. 

Below are some general aspects of the symbolism behind the attire of Irish Travellers:

Cultural Identity 

The clothing worn by Irish Travellers often serves as a marker of their distinct cultural identity. It helps them maintain a sense of belonging and pride within their community, distinguishing them from other groups.

Tradition and Heritage

Many Irish Traveller families have a rich history and maintain strong ties to their ancestral traditions. Traditional clothing is a way to honor their heritage and preserve customs that have been passed down through generations.

Celebration of Occasions

Special occasions like weddings, religious ceremonies, or community gatherings call for traditional dress. These events are essential in Traveller culture, and the attire worn during such occasions holds particular significance.

Status and Social Standing

Within the Irish Traveller community, certain clothing styles or accessories may indicate a person’s social standing or role within the group. For instance, elder members or leaders might have distinct clothing that sets them apart.

Incorporating Luck and Superstitions

Some Irish Travellers believe in superstitions related to colors or patterns on clothing, associating them with good luck or protection from harm. This belief often influences their choice of attire.

Respect for Modesty

Modesty is an essential value in many cultures, and the Traveller community is no exception. Traditional attire may be designed to adhere to modesty norms while allowing for cultural expression.

Symbolic Embroidery and Patterns

Embroidery and patterns on clothing can carry symbolic meanings, such as family symbols, protection symbols, or representations of nature and spirituality.

Practicality and Adaptation to Lifestyle

The clothing of Irish Travellers is often designed to suit their nomadic lifestyle and practical needs. Durable fabrics, comfortable styles, and items suitable for various weather conditions are commonly chosen.

Factors Influencing Dressing Choices of Irish Travelers

The dressing choices of Irish Travelers, like any cultural group, are influenced by a complex interplay of factors that shape their identity, lifestyle, and values. These influences help shed light on the significance of their attire within their community.

Cultural Heritage

Irish Travelers have a strong sense of cultural heritage, and their dressing choices often reflect traditional customs passed down through generations. Clothing serves as a visual marker of their distinct identity, connecting them to their ancestors and reinforcing a shared sense of belonging.

Social Identity and Status

Attire can indicate social standing and roles within the Irish Traveler community. Specific clothing styles or accessories might distinguish elders or leaders, symbolizing their respected positions.

Family and Community Expectations

Family and community play a vital role in shaping dressing choices. Expectations of dressing modestly and adhering to cultural norms are reinforced within the close-knit Traveller society.

Rites of Passage and Celebrations

Special occasions like weddings, religious ceremonies, and community gatherings call for traditional dress, emphasizing the importance of cultural celebrations and reinforcing their customs.

Geographical Influences

The dressing style of Irish Travelers can be influenced by regional differences and interactions with other cultural groups. As they travel and interact with settled communities, elements of outside fashion might be incorporated into their attire.

Practicality and Adaptation

The nomadic lifestyle of Irish Travelers influences their clothing choices. Practicality and durability are essential factors when selecting attire that can withstand the demands of their mobile way of life.

Spirituality and Superstitions

Symbolism and superstitions are woven into the fabric of Irish Traveller culture. Certain colors, patterns, or accessories may be believed to bring luck or protect against harm.

Preservation of Tradition

Amidst globalization and modern influences, some Irish Travelers may choose to hold firmly to their traditional dressing styles as a means of preserving their distinct identity and heritage.

Economic Factors

Economic circumstances can influence the availability and affordability of clothing choices. Some may favor traditional clothing because it is more accessible or reflects their resourcefulness in creating their attire.

External Perceptions and Stereotypes

Negative external perceptions and stereotypes about Irish Travelers may impact their dressing choices. In response, some individuals might embrace traditional attire as a way of asserting their cultural pride and challenging stereotypes.

Do Irish Travelers dress provocatively as a cultural norm?

Contrary to the stereotype, Irish Travelers’ dressing choices are not inherently provocative. Like any cultural group, their attire varies based on individual preferences, regional influences, and personal beliefs. Generalizing their clothing as provocative oversimplifies their diverse cultural expressions.

What are the factors influencing Irish Travelers’ dressing choices?

Several factors shape the dressing choices of Irish Travelers, including cultural heritage, social identity, family expectations, and practicality. Their clothing often reflects tradition, and elements of symbolism, superstitions, and spirituality might influence their attire.

Is there a distinction between everyday clothing and special occasion wear?

Yes, Irish Travelers, like many communities, have distinct clothing for everyday wear and special occasions. Traditional dress is often worn during significant events like weddings, religious ceremonies, and cultural celebrations, reinforcing a sense of identity and continuity.

How do external perceptions impact their dressing choices?

Negative stereotypes and external perceptions can influence how some Irish Travelers choose to dress. While some may embrace traditional attire proudly, others might feel compelled to challenge stereotypes or adapt their clothing choices due to external pressures.

How can we promote cultural understanding and respect for Irish Travelers’ dressing choices?

Promoting cultural understanding requires debunking stereotypes and acknowledging the diversity within the Irish Traveler community. Respect and appreciation for their heritage, traditions, and choices foster an inclusive and compassionate approach toward addressing misconceptions.

Dispelling the myth that Irish Travelers dress provocatively is vital for promoting cultural appreciation and understanding. Their dressing style is deeply rooted in their history, traditions, and personal choices, reflecting their cultural identity and values. 

By embracing the complexities of their clothing choices, we can foster a more inclusive society that celebrates diversity and recognizes the beauty in preserving and adapting cultural practices over time. 

It’s time to appreciate the beauty and complexity of Traveler fashion and to foster empathy and respect for this remarkable community. By debunking the myth of provocative dressing, we take a step towards a more inclusive and informed society.

About Lisa Reitelbach

My name is Lisa. I am a sewing specialist and have been in the sewing industry for over 20 years. I have a degree in fashion design and my work experience includes working with different clothing brands, designing clothes, and teaching people how to sew. LinkedIn

I enjoy making clothes for myself as well as for my friends, family members, and clients. I am always happy to share my knowledge about sewing with anyone who is interested in learning more about it.

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‘A vast majority of people have no idea who Travellers actually are’

A new initiative aims to preserve and promote the travelling community’s heritage.

At the launch of the Mincéiri Archives at the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks, Dublin, were Sebastian Aird, Lily Celic and Danielle Lee (all 12), from Shellybanks Educate Together National School, Sandymount, Dublin. Photograph: Justin Farrelly

A compilation of stories collected from Traveller elders has been published as part of an initiative to preserve and promote the heritage of the Travelling community.

The Mincéirí Archives is an audiovisual project focusing on the lived experiences of the Mincéirí, also known as Irish Travellers, through a compilation of oral histories and narratives.

Because Traveller history is not a compulsory part of the school curriculum in Ireland, the Mincéirí Archives aim to provide an education tool for primary schools, ensuring that future generations of Irish children have opportunity to grow up with a greater understanding and respect for the community.

The project was developed by the National Museum of Ireland in partnership with representatives of Ireland’s Travelling community, a group of historians and advertising agency TBWA Dublin.

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The collection currently consists of 10 videos, with more planned, to highlight the contributions of the Traveller community to Irish art, music and sport, as well as its language and traditions.

If it’s good enough for our children to learn about the settled way of life, it should be good enough for settled people to learn the Travellers’ way of life —   Chrissie Donoghue Ward, Traveller

Only 10 per cent of the Traveller population is over the age of 65, and according to the last census there were only five over the age of 85, according to Oein DeBhairduin, Traveller cultural collections officer at the National Museum of Ireland and a member of the Traveller community.

“At the moment, there’s no direct initiative to incorporate our history among the history of the island,” he says., “We have a shared history, so if we’re not part of the history that’s being taught, we’re being taught an erroneous thing.

[  Songlines review: Traveller singer Thomas McCarthy explores a painful history through song  ]

“We’re being taught a remodelling of the history ... and a vast majority of people have no idea who Travellers actually are. They know about issues and trauma and isolation, mental health, accommodation – but what do people know about our culture?”

DeBhairduin says extra effort must be made to teach people about Traveller history and culture, and that the Mincéirí Archives will give teachers and parents tools to teach children.

Traveller elder Paddy Quilligan, from Newcastle West, Co Limerick, at the launch of the Mincéiri Archives at the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks Dublin. Photograph: Justin Farrelly

Another factor DeBhairduin was conscious of during the process was that when Travellers are looked up online, “you’d probably find all the negativity, you don’t actually see us”.

“When we were looking at the Mincéirí Archive, it’s just a start, and I thought, what a wonderful way to start it, to ensure our elder voices were the first thing that were on it, and I think that’ll really anchor it and give people that exposure, that richness, and also the younger community members [the chance] to reconnect,” DeBhairduin says.

Chrissie Donoghue Ward, one of the elders who took part in the video series, says often passed history she learned from her mother down to her own children, and that this tradition is very important to her.

“It should be spread in schools and high places, even for the Government – [the Mincéirí Archives] should even be in there for training them,” she says.

“Travellers aren’t even taught their own culture in the schools, and they’re reading settled-people books, and they’re reading about settled people, but the Travellers are not even reading about themselves; now the settled people are not reading about Traveller children in school either.

[  Traveller culture is set to join the school curriculum. What could lessons look like?  ]

“So if it’s good enough for our children to learn about the settled way of life, it should be good enough for settled people to learn the Travellers’ way of life,” Donoghue Ward says.

“It’s not an exaggeration to say that members of the Travelling community are probably the most disadvantaged minority in our country today, if we look at things as simple as life expectancy and access to education,” says Niall Callan, of Shellybanks Educate Together National School in Dublin’s Sandymount, who has been involved in the project.

Childrenat Shellybanks learn about the history of ethnic discrimination against the Travelling community, he says. “But the really important consideration here, and it’s something that teachers really need to think about and look at, is that the children are learning about the Traveller experience as a negative one, it’s all through the lens of discrimination and I suppose the deprivations that members of that community have faced,” Callan says.

It means that if teachers want to teach about Traveller culture, they have somewhere to go, they have really good, thought-provoking resources —   Niall Callan, Shellybanks Educate Together National School, on the Mincéirí Archives

“Often when you’re learning about equality and discrimination, whichever minority group you’re talking about, there does tend to be the focus on the negative, it’s on the struggle, the difficulties that group has faced rather than a celebration of their uniqueness and culture.

“I think that’s something that the Mincéirí Archives is trying to do ...,Traveller culture is not all about discrimination, the Travelling people have a rich and unique cultural perspective to offer us, and here it is children, now you get to listen to it, to experience it,” he says.

At the launch of the Mincéiri Archives at the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks Dublin were Lynn Scarff (director, National Musuem of Ireland) and Martin Ward (creator, Mincéiri Archives). Photograph: Justin Farrelly

Callan adds that, to date, he has not come across any history textbooks which reference Travellers.

“The problem is, if it’s not in the history book, it’s up to you to go and find that resource, and where are those resources about the Travelling community? You’ll get a few on the National Museum’s website, and obviously the Traveller organisations like Pavee Point that you can go to, but there’s not a lot out there,” he says.

“So that’s why a resource like this, the Mincéirí Archives, is brilliant, because there it is, and it means that if teachers want to teach about Traveller culture, they have somewhere to go, they have really good, thought-provoking resources.”

Dr Hannagh McGinley, the third Traveller to be awarded a PhD in the history of the State, and who works as an education officer at the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment on adding Traveller history and culture to school curriculums, also welcomes the archives.

[  ‘I became a role model’: Mother completes the third-level journey only 1.4% of her community makes  ]

“I think it’s a really good idea, I suppose one of my greatest regrets as a Traveller myself was not capturing some of the stories from my own grandmother and grandparents, and they’re gone, and so it’s too late,” Dr McGinley says.

“Even stuff like their use of the language was amazing ... at the time, as a child, I didn’t even know it was a language, I just thought we were speaking gibberish, so I wish I had known to capture all of those things.

“I think it’s such – once it’s gone, it’s gone, and given the oral nature and the oral tradition of the community, I think capturing those stories is really, really important.”

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Welcome to The Irish Traveller Movement

The irish traveller movement ( itm ) is a national membership organisation representing travellers and traveller organisations across ireland since its establishment in 1990. we work collectively to represent the views of travellers and to develop policies, actions, and innovative programmes to bring about change for travellers in ireland. the irish traveller movement holds strongly to the principle of solidarity and is a partnership between travellers and non-travellers committed to seeking full equality for travellers in irish society..

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Hate Speech and Hate Crime Law – December 6th 2023

Monday, May 20, 2024 5:13 am (Paris)

'Bodkin' on Netflix: Exquisite corpses litter the Irish coast

Macabre, but not overly so, Jez Scharf's series unleashes three podcasters into a small Irish village whose appearance is as picturesque as its secrets are dark.

By  Thomas Sotinel

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NETFLIX – ON DEMAND – SERIES

The premise of Bodkin – a trio of mismatched podcasters attempt to unravel a 20-year-old mystery in a small Irish village – inevitably brings to mind the series Only Murders in the Building (2021-2024). For the first two episodes, the comparison is obvious, and it doesn't work to the advantage of newcomer Jez Scharf's story. Then, the setting takes over and, rather than persist down the path of sophistication, Bodkin turns into a slightly toned-down yet resolutely macabre version of the McDonagh brothers' Celtic black comedies ( Calvary [2014] and The Banshees of Inisherin [2022]).

Gilbert Power (Will Forte), winner of a Peabody Award for the Chicago native's podcast about his wife's cancer, arrives in the town of Bodkin 25 years after a triple disappearance on the night of Samhain (the original, firmly pagan version of Halloween). He is accompanied by a team supplied by the London daily newspaper that is co-producing of the podcast. All-purpose assistant Emmy Sizergh (Robyn Cara) initially presents herself as a simpleton. Her metamorphosis takes up much of the coming episodes. Dubheasa Maloney (Siobhan Cullen) – Dove to her friends, except she doesn't have any –has long since left Dublin for London, where her investigative methods have just led to the suicide of one of her sources.

Humorous stroll

Faced with these visitors, the locals present a selection of characters both predictable (the gruff fisherman, the uninhibited nun, the maternal bed and breakfast keeper) and sometimes more surprising (the tech bro who has come back home, the Irish Travellers living in a camp on the outskirts of town), who get along like thieves as they try to conceal Bodkin's secrets.

The uncovering of these mysteries is the pretext for a humorous stroll through the mythology and iconography of Ireland, past and present. Between memories of the war in Northern Ireland (an old stockpile of Semtex explosives) and the reality of the digital world (the village's biggest building is now a data center), between Celtic mythology and Catholic theology – both equally soluble in Guinness and whiskey – the series plays affectionately with stereotypes.

The revelations also serve to flesh out characters who initially come across as caricatures, particularly David Wilmot as the fisherman Seamus Gallagher, who is soon revealed to have embraced a fishing career only to escape his rivals in the Belfast underworld. He deserves a miniseries of his own.

Bodkin , series created by Jez Scharf (EU-Ireland, 2024, 7 × 44 to 56 min). With Will Forte, Siobhan Cullen, Robyn Cara, David Wilmot.

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Jonathan Bailey doesn’t like to bare it all. But vulnerability fueled his best performance yet

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“This is where all the cruising happened.”

Jonathan Bailey and I are standing in Pershing Square on a bright, blustery spring afternoon, nearing the end of a homemade queer history tour of downtown L.A.: One Magazine, Cooper Do-Nuts/Nancy Valverde Square, the Dover bathhouse, the Biltmore Hotel and this, the city’s former Central Park, a haven, since before World War I, for “fairies” and “sissy boys,” servicemen on leave and beatniks on the road.

“Is it still happening now?” he asks.

“Probably not as much,” I venture.

“Well, you let me know if it’s happening,” he teases, a mischievous smile lighting up his face.

Bailey understands the uses of the charm offensive. As Sam, the handsome Lothario of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s delightful pre-”Fleabag” curio, “Crashing”; Anthony, the romantic hero of “Bridgerton’s” second season; and John, the jerk of a protagonist in Mike Bartlett’s love triangle play “Cock,” the English actor, 36, has swaggered up to the precipice of superstardom. With roles in such studio tentpoles as “Wicked” and “Jurassic World” on the horizon, he may just break through. Yet he delivers career-best work in Showtime’s queer melodrama “Fellow Travelers,” as anti-Communist crusader-turned-gay rights activist Tim Laughlin, by leaving behind the self-assured rakes and tapping a new wellspring: soft power.

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Tim may be, as Bailey puts it, “an open nerve,” but as it turns out, the devout Catholic and political naïf — who falls for suave State Department operative Hawkins “Hawk” Fuller (Matt Bomer) just as Sen. Joseph McCarthy tries to purge the federal government of LGBTQ people — is formidable indeed.

Stretching from the Lavender Scare to the depths of the AIDS crisis, in scenes of tenderness, cruelty and toe-curling sex , Bailey’s performance communicates that little-spoken truth of relationships: It takes more strength to submit than it does to control. The former demands discipline, courage, trust; the latter requires only force.

“In ‘Bridgerton,’ [Bailey] is like a Hawkins Fuller character — he is very sexy and has lots of power, has that kind of confident charisma that absolutely is not Tim at all,” says “Fellow Travelers” creator Ron Nyswaner.

But any doubt about Bailey’s ability to mesh with Bomer, who boarded the project early in development, was put to bed with the actors’ virtual rehearsal of a meeting on a park bench in the pilot. “‘Well, that’s a first,’” Nyswaner recalls an executive texting him. “I cried in a chemistry read.”

‘Am I inviting people in?’

Bailey grew up in a musical family in the Oxfordshire countryside outside London, and this, coupled with an appreciation for the morning prayers, choir practice and Mass he attended as a scholarship student at the local Catholic school, fed his precocious talents. (“I loved the performance of it,” he laughs. “Not to diminish the celebration of religious process, but I did love the idea of wearing a gown.”) By age 10, he’d appeared in the West End, playing Gavroche in a production of “Les Misérables,” an experience he now recognizes as an encounter with a queer found family — albeit one shadowed by the toll of the AIDS crisis, which peaked in the U.K. in the mid-1990s.

“When I’m asked about my childhood, there’s so much I don’t remember, and I think that’s true of anyone who’s been in fight or flight for 20 years,” he says. “I would have been in a cast of people whose friends would have died in the last seven years. I think of where I was seven years ago. I had all my gay friends then. It’s only retrospectively that I can retrofit a real gay community around me [in the theater], that I just wasn’t aware of [then].”

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, American and British culture presented queer adolescents with a bewildering array of mixed signals. As beloved celebrities came out in growing numbers, and the battle for marriage equality became a central locus of LGBTQ political organizing, the media continued to propagate harmful stereotypes of gay men as miserable, lonely, perverted or worse — and, Bailey remembers, callously turned George Michael, arrested on suspicion of cruising in a Beverly Hills restroom in 1998 , and Irish pop star Stephen Gately , who revealed his sexuality in 1999, fearful he was about to be outed, into tabloid spectacles.

No wonder Bailey, like many LGBTQ people of his generation, should feel the “chemical” thrill of “validation and acceptance” during London Pride at age 18, then embark on a two-year relationship with a woman in his 20s.

“Dangerously, if you’re not exposed to people who can show you other examples of happiness, you think that’s the easiest way to live,” Bailey says. “It’s funny. You look back and you can tell the story in one way, which is that I always knew who I was and my sexuality and my identity within that. But obviously at times, it was really tough. I compromised my own happiness, for sure. And compromised other people’s happiness.”

Disclosures about his personal life have become particularly thorny for the actor since the premiere of “Bridgerton,” the blockbuster bodice-ripper from executive producer Shonda Rhimes.

“The Netflix effect does knock you off center completely,” he says, recalling the experience of finding a paparazzo waiting outside his new flat before he’d even moved in. “Suddenly, you do start having nightmares about people climbing in your windows... Even now, talking about it makes me feel like, ‘Am I inviting people in?’”

He is also critical of the media for churning out headlines about the smallest details of celebrities’ private lives, often detached from their original context. In an interview with the London Evening Standard published in December, Bailey described a harrowing encounter in a Washington, D.C., coffee shop in which a man threatened his life for being queer — and, in recounting the experience, offhandedly mentioned the “lovely man” he’d called, shaken, after it happened. Although Bailey acknowledges that the original story handled the subject with aplomb, he felt dismayed that more attention wasn’t paid to the intended warning about rising anti-LGBTQ sentiment: “The only thing that got syndicated from that story was that I had a boyfriend, and it wasn’t true,” he sighs. “It was kind of depressing, if I’m honest.”

Still, Bailey, who once turned down a role in a queer-themed TV series because it would have required him to speed along revelations about his personal life he wasn’t ready to make, is prepared to embrace the power of vulnerability when it feeds the work. Although a member of his inner circle expressed doubts about “Fellow Travelers’” steamy sex scenes, for instance, the actor intuited that they were what made the project worth doing: “I was like, ‘I’m telling you, they are the reason why this is going to be brilliant.’”

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Nov. 4, 2023

‘He’s changed my trajectory in my own life’

To those who would complain about the state of sex in film and TV, “Fellow Travelers” is the perfect riposte. All of it matters, from Tim’s first flirtation with Hawk to the finale’s closing minutes, because the series, at its core, is about the importance of soft power: the strength required to bend, but not break; to adapt, but not abandon oneself; to survive without shrinking to nothing in the process. And depicting that through sex, specifically gay sex, makes “Fellow Travelers” radical indeed.

Bailey understands that baring so much comes with certain risks. When I tell him that research for the story has filled my algorithmic “For You” feed on X (formerly Twitter) with speculation that his onscreen relationship with Bomer has a real-life element, he notes that “shipping” fictional couples and costars alike has long been part of Hollywood fantasy. But he bristles at the implication that he and Bomer are anything but skilled actors at work.

“I would love for people to know that the success of our chemistry isn’t based on us f—. It’s actually about us leaning into the craft,” he says. “It’s a vulnerable situation to be in, talking about it on record. I don’t want to rob people of their thoughts. But I do have a set of values, and as an artist, you don’t need to be f— to tell that love story.”

Underlying that craft, Bailey adds, is the confidence to speak up, as with one scene in “Fellow Travelers” that was adjusted because he said, “I don’t want to be naked today.” He learned to use his voice the hard way: In his early 20s, he recalls, he was once “bullied” on set when “someone was threatened” by him and vowed to himself, “I’m never going to do that to someone. I’m never going to allow that to happen.”

This impulse to direct his influence in support of others has blossomed further with “Fellow Travelers.” On the day of our interview, Bailey enthuses about an upcoming meeting with legendary gay rights activist Cleve Jones and shares his idea for a docuseries recording the stories of elders in the LGBTQ+ community while they are still here to tell them. He describes lying in a hospital bed on set on World AIDS Day, in character as Tim, surrounded by gay men who had lost friends and lovers during the crisis, and finding himself thinking, “What do I want to leave behind?”

“I think he’s changed my trajectory in my own life,” Bailey says.

This is, perhaps, the most common reaction I know to diving deep into queer history — the understanding that we, like our forerunners, are responsible for shaping the queer future, whether in politics, society or art. No one is going to do it on our behalf.

As we stand on the nondescript corner now named for her, I relate the story of the late queer activist Nancy Valverde, who was arrested repeatedly while a barber school student in the 1950s on suspicion of “masquerading” because of her preference for short hair and men’s clothing, and later successfully challenged her harassment by the police in court.

“What a hero!” Bailey exclaims, wondering at Valverde’s bravery. “The thing that’s so interesting with power battles is, ultimately, identity is the thing that gives you the most strength and power in your life, isn’t it?

“Because that’s one thing people can’t take away from you: who you are and how you express yourself.”

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Matt Brennan is a Los Angeles Times’ deputy editor for entertainment and arts. Born in the Boston area, educated at USC and an adoptive New Orleanian for nearly 10 years, he returned to Los Angeles in 2019 as the newsroom’s television editor. He previously served as TV editor at Paste Magazine, and his writing has also appeared in Indiewire, Slate, Deadspin and numerous other publications.

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