MY BIG GAY PLAYLIST - John Paul Payne

John Paul has a long history of LGBT+ advocacy in Ireland and abroad. He has been acting chairperson for Carlow Pride Festival since its inception in 2018. When he worked as a reporter and co-host for a national television show in North America covering all current affairs LGBT+ stories and he realised that LGBT+ people from Carlow, and rural Ireland, sometimes didn’t have a voice.

He flew home to Ireland in 2015 with a camera crew to document his journey to vote in the Marriage Equality referendum as a two part report. The first part was for “Be My Yes” campaign in North America for ex-pats who couldn’t fly home to vote.

John Paul lived in London, Sydney, Vancouver and Los Angeles, and he had his own makeover show on Canadian television in 2016.

Since moving back to Ireland he works as a makeup artist on television shows such as RTÉ News, The Late Late Show, game shows and soap operas such as Fair City for RTÉ in Ireland and Gorman Ramsey, Jamie Foxx and celebrity shoes for FOX in the United States. He currently works along side of Hollywoods biggest stars. He also works as a hair and makeup artist to Irelands Presidents, Prime Ministers and many of the political heads of states in Europe.

When John Paul is not working away, he and has his own makeup studio on Dublin Street, Co. Carlow. He launched his own cosmetics line in 2019. He also teaches the Leaving Certificate Hair and Beauty subject in two secondary schools.

He and his team has won multiple awards with Carlow Pride Festival including Volunteer Ireland Award for Arts, Culture & Media, a Mayors Award and a Spirit of Carlow Award for The Out Magpublication which he is editor. To listen to his Big Gay Playlist just click on the picture of Dylan above.

Vogue" by Madonna

Freedom! '90" by George Michael

I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross

Born This Way" by Lady Gaga

Ray of Light" by Madonna

I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor

Believe" by Cher

Supermodel (You Better Work)" by RuPaul

Beautiful" by Christina Aguilera

I Want to Break Free" by Queen

Girls & Boys" by Blur

Fastlove" by George Michael