On June 19, Ireland celebrated the 25th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality.

In 1982, a gay man called Declan Flynn was attacked in Fairview Park in Dublin, and later died from his injuries. His death sparked a catalyst among many people who lived in fear of expressing their sexuality publicly.

Eleven years later in June 1993, Ireland passed legislation that decriminalised homosexuality.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, an openly gay man, last week paid tribute to those who suffered before the legislation was passed.

"Men and women of all ages who tried to live and love and be themselves in a society where their identity was feared and despised, and who were aliens in their own country for their entire lives.," he said.

"We cannot erase the wrong that was done to them. What we can say is that we have learned as a society from their suffering.

"Their stories have helped change us for the better; they have made us more tolerant, more understanding and more human."

As Dublin Pride festival comes to an end on Saturday, just three years after Ireland voted for marriage equality, we spoke to two LGBT+ activists- one born before decriminalisation and one born after- about what life was like for them growing up gay in Ireland. Read more via the Independent