Jack of All Arts

Katherine Zappone

Katherine Zappone smiling in a red dress at a First5 early childhood event, with colorful balloons and branding visible in the background.
Katherine Zappone speaking at a government press event, wearing glasses and a white top with black polka dots, standing in front of a teal backdrop with "Government of Ireland" partially visible.
Katherine Zappone outdoors wearing a light grey jacket, smiling while speaking, with buildings blurred in the background.
Katherine Zappone walking outside in a grey jacket and multicolored scarf, smiling in front of a stone building.
Katherine Zappone in a red dress and white coat standing proudly in front of the entrance to Trinity College Dublin, smiling directly at the camera.
Katherine Zappone standing on a leafy walkway wearing an olive-colored dress and pearls, smiling with soft sunlight in the background.
Katherine Zappone speaking at a podium at the University of Limerick School of Law, wearing a light blazer and floral blouse.
Katherine Zappone speaking at a podium with a serious expression, framed by an Irish government harp symbol and flag in the background.
Katherine Zappone addressing reporters while wearing a bright blue dress, gesturing with her hand, and speaking into red and teal NewsTalk microphones.

Born: November 25, 1953, Spokane, Washington, United States
Pronouns: She/her
Identities: Lesbian
Occupations: Politician, academic, human rights commissioner, government minister, feminist theologian, author, activist

Overview

Katherine Zappone is an American-born Irish politician, educator, human rights advocate, and feminist theologian who has been a central figure in Ireland’s transformation toward equality and inclusion. She was the first openly lesbian member of the Oireachtas and the first cabinet minister in Ireland to be openly gay at the time of appointment. Her groundbreaking legal challenge with her wife Ann Louise Gilligan catalyzed Ireland’s movement toward marriage equality, culminating in the country becoming the first to approve same-sex marriage by popular vote in 2015. Zappone’s lifelong work in community education, social justice, LGBTQI+ rights, and reproductive freedom has defined her as one of the most impactful change-makers in Irish political and queer history.

Early Life and Education

Katherine Ann Zappone was born in Spokane, Washington, and raised in Seattle. She was the second of five children in a family rooted in both American and Irish heritage, with her maternal great-grandmother Catherine Brady emigrating from County Cavan. She graduated summa cum laude with a BA in Psychology and Theology from Seattle University in 1976, followed by an MA in Religious Studies from the Catholic University of America in 1978.

After teaching in New York City, Zappone entered Boston College to pursue a PhD in Education and Religion. It was there that she met Ann Louise Gilligan, the Irish academic who would become her wife and lifelong collaborator. Zappone completed her PhD in 1986 and later earned an MBA from University College Dublin in 1997, graduating with first-class honors and top of her class. In 2014, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Laws from UCD in recognition of her human rights advocacy.

Migration to Ireland and Academic Career

Zappone moved to Ireland in 1983 with Gilligan, beginning a nearly four-decade journey that would see her shape the country’s educational, political, and legal landscape. She taught ethics, feminist theology, and liberation theology at Trinity College Dublin for nine years. Her commitment to justice-based pedagogy laid the foundation for her community activism and political vision.

An Cosán and The Shanty

Inspired by their studies and activism in Boston, Zappone and Gilligan launched The Shanty in Brittas, County Dublin. It began as a modest community education hub and evolved into An Cosán, Ireland’s largest community education organization. An Cosán empowers women and families in disadvantaged communities through adult education, early childhood support, and digital learning. Its preschool program, Fledglings, now serves over 250 children across eight locations. Alumni like Senator Lynn Ruane credit An Cosán with transforming their lives through accessible education and healing.

In 2003, Zappone and Gilligan married in Vancouver, Canada. Upon returning to Ireland, they sought legal recognition of their marriage for tax purposes and were denied. Their case, Zappone and Gilligan v. Revenue Commissioners, became one of the first major legal battles over same-sex marriage in Ireland. Though the High Court ruled in 2006 that Irish law defined marriage as between a man and a woman, the case ignited national debate and galvanized LGBTQI+ activists.

The couple’s persistence helped bring about the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010, followed by the Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland, which legalized same-sex marriage in 2015. On the day the referendum passed, Zappone proposed live on television for Gilligan to marry her again in Ireland. They held their Irish ceremony in January 2016. Gilligan passed away in 2017.

Political Career

Seanad Éireann (2011–2016)

In 2011, Taoiseach Enda Kenny nominated Zappone to the 24th Seanad. She was the first openly lesbian member of the Oireachtas and launched the Quinn/Zappone campaign to save the Seanad, which succeeded in a national referendum. During her tenure, she focused on human rights, economic justice, and equality.

She played a significant role in:

  • Advocating gender recognition legislation for trans people
  • Fighting for people with intellectual disabilities to have the right to consent to sexual activity
  • Opposing water charges and advocating for public services
  • Addressing homelessness and housing needs in South Dublin
  • Launching an Equal Start policy to combat child poverty

Dáil Éireann and Ministerial Role (2016–2020)

Zappone was elected as an Independent TD for Dublin South-West in the 2016 general election. She became Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, the first openly lesbian government minister in Ireland and the first to serve while openly LGBTQI+.

Her key achievements included:

  • Campaigning for and supporting the repeal of the Eighth Amendment
  • Initiating free hot meals for children in primary schools
  • Securing legal childcare subsidies as parental entitlements
  • Dramatically increasing the childcare budget
  • Working on behalf of children’s organizations and poverty reduction
  • Supporting the release of Irish citizen Ibrahim Halawa from unjust imprisonment in Egypt

She continued her role as minister until June 2020, even after losing her seat in the 2020 general election.

Global Advocacy and UN Work

After her time in office, Zappone was appointed a Special Envoy for Ireland’s campaign for a seat on the United Nations Security Council, a bid that ultimately succeeded. She later served on the Lancet COVID-19 Commission Taskforce and was an Advisor to the Dean for Global Health and Human Rights at Mount Sinai Medical School in New York.

She has addressed the United Nations General Assembly, the UN Security Council, UNICEF, UNFPA, and multiple forums within the African Union. Her speeches span topics from youth policy to conflict prevention, health equity, and the future of education.

2021 Special Envoy Controversy

In 2021, Zappone was nominated as Special Envoy for Freedom of Expression, a newly created role. The lack of transparency around the appointment process led to political backlash, including criticisms of cronyism and COVID-19 protocol violations. Zappone ultimately declined the position and did not attend a parliamentary committee inquiry due to her U.S. residency.

2025 Seanad Candidacy: Trinity College Constituency

In 2025, Zappone ran as an Independent candidate for the Trinity College constituency in the Seanad. Her campaign focused on integrity, independence, and rights-based legislation. She outlined a robust platform with the following policy priorities:

  • Eradicate childhood poverty by investing in households most in need
  • Secure accessible, inclusive higher education through sustainable funding
  • Advance LGBTQI+ rights, especially mental health support, trans healthcare, and legal parental recognition
  • Reform the Seanad to ensure all citizens have a vote and to empower the chamber as a legislative check
  • Strengthen community voices and establish regular, impactful Citizens’ Assemblies
  • Combat disinformation and hate both online and offline

Zappone emphasized her history of public service and her commitment to getting things done through consultation and courage.

Current Roles and Honors

Zappone is currently an Honorary Research Fellow at the WiSE Centre for Economic Justice at Glasgow Caledonian University and an Honorary Fellow at the Educational Disadvantage Centre at Dublin City University. She is also a director of Ratio.org.uk, where she continues to promote a fairer and more dynamic relationship between people and state.

Her memoir is scheduled for release in Summer 2025.

Selected Writings

  • Our Lives Out Loud: In Pursuit of Justice and Equality, with Ann Louise Gilligan (2008)
  • After the 8th: Re-Visioning Reproductive Justice (2017)
  • Reclaiming the Secret of Love, edited volume of Gilligan’s writings (2021)
  • “Ireland’s Chance: Recovering the Truth, Framing Justice After Tuam” – Boston College Magazine (2019)
  • “Safeguarding People Living in Vulnerable Conditions in the COVID-19 Era” – The Lancet, Vol. 7, Issue 1 (2022)
  • Numerous essays and legal commentaries on sexual identity, law, and feminist theology

Legacy

Katherine Zappone has redefined what it means to serve in public life while living authentically and advocating fiercely. Her leadership helped build the foundation for LGBTQI+ visibility in Irish governance, expanded the rights of children and families, and made education more accessible for thousands. From the halls of Trinity College to the chambers of the UN, her work continues to inspire generations of queer activists, educators, and community leaders. She remains a singular voice for justice, equality, and compassionate governance.

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