Michael Barron (advocate)


Michael Barron is an Irish social-justice advocate, author and researcher. He co-founded BeLonG To LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland and has worked in youth policy and education. His book How Ireland’s LGBTQ+ Youth Movement Was Built was published in 2025 by Policy Press and was covered by The Irish Times and RTÉ Culture.

Early and personal life

Barron grew up in County Kilkenny and began youth and community work in the 1990s. He later completed a doctorate in social science at Maynooth University. Barron is queer and lives with his husband, activist and artist Jaime Nanci.

Career and activism

BeLonG To LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland

In 2003 Barron co-founded BeLonG To, a national organisation for LGBTQ+ young people, and served as an early executive director. With young people, he helped develop campaigns including “So Gay!”, Making Schools Safe, and Stand Up! Support Your LGBT Friends.
During the 2015 referendum on same-sex marriage, BeLonG To led the BeLonG To YES coalition of children's and youth organisations. According to BeLonG To Youth Services, Barron directed the campaign, and contemporary coverage quoted him speaking at the RDS count centre. The coalition included Barnardos, ISPCC, Foróige, the National Youth Council of Ireland and Youth Work Ireland.
Barron and BeLonG To also engaged with national anti-bullying policy. He took part in the Department of Education's anti-bullying working group in 2012 to develop what the Government subsequently issued as the Action Plan on Bullying and Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools.

EQUATE – Equality in Education

After BeLonG To, Barron led EQUATE – Equality in Education, an advocacy initiative on school admissions and inclusion. EQUATE argued for ending the “baptism barrier”, under which oversubscribed denominational primary schools could prioritise baptised children in admissions. Commentary in 2018 also addressed the significance of removing the barrier. In 2018 the Government commenced provisions of the Education Act 2018, removing religion as a selection criterion for most denominational primary schools for the 2019/2020 admissions cycle.

Other philanthropy and policy work

Barron also served as executive director of the Rowan Trust, a grant-making body supporting social-justice projects.
He has contributed to international policy discussions on youth participation and non-discrimination, including collaboration with UNESCO and publication with the Council of Europe.

Publications

In 2025, Barron published How Ireland’s LGBTQ+ Youth Movement Was Built: Civil Society in Pursuit of Social Justice. It was released by Policy Press. In a review for the Irish Independent, Tonie Walsh described the book as "extraordinary", stating that Barron's "latest critical undertaking couldn't have arrived at a more critical time".

Archive

In 2024, the National Library of Ireland acquired the 'Michael Barron Papers'.

Honours and recognition