Lyra McKee

Lyra McKee (1990–2019) was a fearless investigative journalist and author from Belfast whose work gave voice to a new generation of queer writers. She contributed to outlets including BuzzFeed, The Atlantic, Mosaic Science, Private Eye, and the Belfast Telegraph. Her 2014 blog post, Letter to My 14-Year-Old Self, about growing up gay in Northern Ireland, became a viral inspiration and was later adapted into a short film. Forbes named her to its “30 Under 30 in Media” list in 2016. McKee’s work consistently challenged political and social conservatism in Northern Ireland while advocating for LGBTQ+ equality. She was tragically killed in 2019 while covering rioting in Derry, leaving behind a legacy of courage, compassion, and unflinching dedication to truth.