February is LGBTQIA+ History month and we are honoured to spotlight and celebrate some of the amazing creators from this community, so our latest Creator Spotlight features Meri Hernandez, known on TikTok as @irelandsfavouritegay

Q: What does LGBTQIA+ History Month mean to you?

A: LGBTQIA+ history month to me means unity. It is a day to remember all the heroes who came out and fought for our civil rights. Thanks to them, people like me can walk in public without being scared of getting arrested or hurt. It also gives people outside the community the chance to learn more about our history and what previous generations had to endure just because they loved someone of the same gender.


Q: Who from the LGBTQIA+ community inspires you?

A: Sam Smith, when I was younger, I was a big fan of them after the release of one of their first songs ‘’Money On My Mind’’, I already loved their voice and personality, so when they came out, it was completely unexpected for me. I was shocked, but I remember looking up to them and being so proud. I do not think people realise the amount of work they are doing for the LGBTQIA+ community, but the fact that they came out to everyone as non-binary is amazing. Thanks to Sam Smith, more people in society now know what it means to identify as non-binary


Q: What first inspired you to create on TikTok?

A: What inspired me to create TikTok was the lack of queer representation in Ireland. When I was

in college, I felt very lonely as there were no safe spaces where I could open up and learn how to deal with my internalised homophobia. After graduating and moving out of student accommodation, I decided to start creating LGBTQIA+ content and mental health advice, and I haven’t looked back since! Every day I get the chance to help people by using social media! It’s incredible!


Q: Why is TikTok right for your feel-good content?

A: TikTok’s algorithm has been crucial in reaching my target audience through my feel-good content. Thankfully, I have never been on the receiving end of homophobic comments whenever I uploaded LGBTQIA+-related content as the platform has been incredible when pushing my videos to members of the community.


Q: What is your goal on TikTok?

A: My goal on TikTok is to provide a digital safe space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community through content that supports others, provides guidance on navigating life as an LGBTQIA+ person and normalises LGBTQIA+ relationships.


Q: What is your favourite TikTok you have made to date and why?

A: It has to be between my ‘Advice on Coming Out’ series or ‘Things I have realised growing up in the closet’. The one thing that a lot of members of the LGBTQIA+ community share in common is the lonely feeling of being in the closet and fearing people’s response to their coming out. So those two series have a special place in my heart as I get to channel how far I’ve come in my journey and try my best to make my audience that might be in the closet feel a little less alone.


@irelandsfavouritegay Coming out advice 🏳️‍🌈🤍 You all got this #fyp #wlw #lgbtq ♬ original sound - Irelandsfavouritegay

Q: What is your favourite recent trend on TikTok?

A: Definitely the #indexcardchallenge, I think I might do it with my dog Toby!


Q: What else or who else is on your TikTok For You feed?

A: Who else? My friend Deb Shaw hosts a podcast where she interviews people that are making a difference in the Irish scene, so it’s always nice to see her gorgeous face pop up and ask the hard- hitting questions! What else? ? I love dogs, so just imagine the number of TikToks on my FYP of rescued dogs who are now in happy families! I always tear up.