Pride Month: Kristian Nairn, Libertine, Belfast

Belfast’s newest LGBTQ+ venue

As the city boasts an ever-growing and thriving queer scene, with homegrown talent such as RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World winner Blu Hydrangea putting Northern Ireland on the global LGBTQ+ map, its onwards and upwards for showing your Pride in Belfast.

One such addition to this vibrant scene is a href=”https://www.libertinebelfast.com”>Libertine Belfast, an exciting new gay bar, nightclub, and garden that opened its doors in December 2021 and can be found just on the outskirts of the city’s bustling Cathedral Quarter. Already drawing in the crowds week after week to rival the popularity of the city’s biggest LGBTQ+ venues, Libertine has firmly cemented its place on the map. So, we wanted to find out more about how it’s come to enjoy so much success in such a short space of time.

A multi-talented owner

Behind the success of Libertine is Lisburn-born actor and DJ Kristian Nairn. Fans of Game of Thrones may be wondering why Kristian looks so familiar. Well, alongside his successful Belfast business and success of the international DJ circuit, Nairn also portrayed Hodor, the simple-minded and loveable servant of House Stark, in the hit HBO series. Since then, Nairn has toured as a DJ with ‘Rave of Thrones’, a rave music act dedicated to the show that has brought much tourism to Northern Ireland. He has also performed alongside internationally acclaimed artists, such as Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike, as well as playing guitar backstage with heavy metal band Megadeth.

It doesn’t end there for Kristian, however. Adding to what is an already impressive resume, Nairn is currently starring in the main role as Wee John Feeney in HBO’s period romantic comedy drama Our Flag Means Death, which is currently available to watch on Netflix. Supporting a cause close to his heart, the series has already been highly praised for its LGBTQ+ representation.

Being proud

In March 2014, Nairn opened up publicly about his gay identity in an interview on GOT fan site ‘Winter is Coming’. He said; “When you talk about ‘the gay community,’ you are talking about MY community… I AM aware of it, yeah, and I think it’s really lovely. Again, it’s a privilege, and I really mean that.”

Nairn explained that he first came out aged 14 and has been openly gay ever since. However, he felt that talking about his identity to the global media was almost like a second coming out. He said, “I’ve never hidden my sexuality from anyone, my whole life in fact, and I’ve been waiting for someone to ask about it in an interview, ’cause it’s not something you just blurt out.”

Flying the rainbow flag for Northern Ireland

Sadly, Northern Ireland lags far behind the rest of the UK when it comes to equal rights in many areas, with gay marriage only legalised in the country in January 2020. Always proud of his identity, Nairn has previously been outspoken about the issue in his home country. Speaking to the Thompson Reuters foundation in 2019, he said, “It confuses me why we always have to be that little step behind on social issues like this. It should be brought into line with the rest of the UK.”

However, things are beginning to change across the north of Ireland, with more and more people standing up for LGBTQ+ rights and Pride now being one of the biggest days in the Belfast calendar. While explaining in 2019 that he finds it “hard to be an ambassador from [Northern Ireland]”, Nairn has accelerated his efforts to promote LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance at home, opening his very own loud and proud gay bar Libertine at the very heart of the city.

Libertine offers a number of exciting events, drag shows, and even colourfully-named delicious cocktails, making up the perfect recipe for an unforgettable night out in Belfast. Making extra efforts to be inclusive to all, Libertine also offers its staff ‘gender bands’ that are coloured to coincide with the wearer’s identity. So, if you’re looking for a fantastic night out in Belfast this Pride month, make sure to add Libertine to your list!

As part of Dish Cult’s Pride month celebrations, we are proud to be supporting Stonewall – the largest LGBTQ+ charitable organisation in Europe. Stonewall work in each nation of the UK and stand for lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and ace people everywhere.

Stonewall’s campaigning work drives positive change in public attitudes and public policy, helping transform the day-to-day experience of all LGBTQ+ people. The work continues until the world we imagine is the world we live in.

If you can imagine a world where there is freedom, equity and limitless potential for every LGBTQ+ person – stand with us. Donate to Stonewall now.

*All donations made will be donated directly to Stonewall