Annie Hoey

Hoey is from Beamore, Drogheda, a suburb just by the border between County Meath and County Louth.{{cite journal|url=https://www.meathchronicle.ie/news/roundup/articles/2020/04/01/4188073-labour-councillor-annie-hoey-elected-to-seanad/|title=Labour councillor Annie Hoey elected to Seanad|journal=Meath Chronicle|date=1 April 2020|access-date=2 April 2020|archive-date=3 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403211349/https://www.meathchronicle.ie/news/roundup/articles/2020/04/01/4188073-labour-councillor-annie-hoey-elected-to-seanad/|url-status=live}}{{Cite journal|url=https://droghedalife.com/news/political-activist-annie-hoey-to-run-for-labour-in-east-meath|title=Political activist Annie Hoey to run for Labour in East Meath|journal=Drogheda Life|date=23 April 2019|access-date=25 May 2021|archive-date=25 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525142854/https://droghedalife.com/news/political-activist-annie-hoey-to-run-for-labour-in-east-meath|url-status=live}}

She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Drama and Theatre Studies in 2009, a Master of Arts in Comparative and World Literature in 2012, and a Postgraduate certificate in Women's Studies in 2013, all from University College Cork. Hoey was voted "college society person of the year" in 2013 for her work with Amnesty, as chairperson of the UCC LGBT Society, and for co-founding of a humanist society in Cork.{{cite web|url=https://www.thephoenix.ie/article/annie-hoey/|title=Annie Hoey The Phoenix Magazine|access-date=1 April 2020|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924122051/https://www.thephoenix.ie/article/annie-hoey/|url-status=live}} She also co-founded the UCC Feminist Society.{{Cite web |url=http://www.universitytimes.ie/2017/10/annie-hoey-elected-to-tcdsu-board-of-trustees/ |title=Annie Hoey Elected to TCDSU Board of Trustees |website=The University Times|access-date=1 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115042714/http://www.universitytimes.ie/2017/10/annie-hoey-elected-to-tcdsu-board-of-trustees/ |archive-date=15 November 2017 |url-status=live }}

Hoey later studied for a specialist diploma in quality management at the University of Limerick in 2019. She then graduated in 2023 with a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Policy and Practise from Trinity College Dublin.{{Cite web |last=Hoey |first=Annie |date=2024 |title=Annie Hoey's LinkedIn |url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/anniehoey/ }}

In 2013, Hoey was elected as the deputy president and campaigns officer for UCC Students' Union.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thephoenix.ie/article/annie-hoey/|title=Annie Hoey – The Young Bloods|date=3 November 2016|website=The Phoenix|access-date=1 April 2020|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924122052/https://www.thephoenix.ie/article/annie-hoey/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://trinitynews.ie/2017/10/former-usi-president-annie-hoey-appointed-to-tcdsu-board-of-trustees/|title=Former USI president Annie Hoey appointed to TCDSU Board of Trustees|first=Michael|last=Foley|date=24 October 2017|website=Trinity News|access-date=25 May 2020|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924122104/http://trinitynews.ie/2017/10/former-usi-president-annie-hoey-appointed-to-tcdsu-board-of-trustees/|url-status=live}}

At the Union of Students in Ireland congress in April 2014, Hoey was elected as the Vice President for Equality and Citizenship.{{Cite web|url=https://gcn.ie/gra-the-law-student-movement-marriage-equality/|title=Making Grá The Law – A reflection on the student movement and marriage equality|date=22 May 2020|website=GCN|access-date=23 May 2020|archive-date=31 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531023118/https://gcn.ie/gra-the-law-student-movement-marriage-equality/|url-status=live}} In March 2015, Hoey was re-elected to the same position.{{Cite web|url=http://www.witsu.ie/1938-2/|title=USI Latest News|website=WITSU|access-date=22 May 2020|archive-date=12 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812230045/http://witsu.ie/1938-2/|url-status=live}}

During 2014 and 2015, in the lead-up to the referendum on the Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland, known as the Marriage Equality referendum, Hoey used her role as USI Equality and Citizenship Officer to mobilise students across the country. She organised USI's flagship Pink Training event in Cork in November 2014.

During Hoey's second term as the USI Vice President for Equality and Citizenship, she was appointed Deputy President of USI to USI President Kevin Donoghue.{{Cite web |url=http://usi.ie/featured/annie-hoey-elected-to-lead-usi/ |title=Annie Hoey elected to lead USI {{!}} Union of Students in Ireland |date=23 March 2016 |access-date=1 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213235402/https://usi.ie/featured/annie-hoey-elected-to-lead-usi/ |archive-date=13 February 2020 |url-status=live }}

Hoey then served as President of the Union of Students in Ireland from 2016 to 2017.{{cite web |title=Cllr Annie Hoey |url=https://www.labour.ie/anniehoey/biography/ |website=labour.ie |date=5 November 2015 |publisher=the Labour Party |access-date=1 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211072908/https://www.labour.ie/anniehoey/biography/ |archive-date=11 February 2020 |url-status=live }} During her tenure as USI President, an estimated 15,000 students took part in the #EducationIs demonstration in Dublin, to show student opposition to income contingent loan schemes.{{Cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/thousands-rally-in-dublin-protest-against-student-fees-1.2835605 |title=Thousands rally in Dublin protest against student fees |date=19 October 2016 |first1=Éanna |last1=Ó Caollaí |first2=Ciarán |last2=D'Arcy |newspaper=The Irish Times |location=Dublin |access-date=1 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101013656/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/thousands-rally-in-dublin-protest-against-student-fees-1.2835605 |archive-date=1 November 2017 |url-status=live }} In March 2017, Hoey presented to the Citizens' Assembly at the fourth meeting of the Citizens' Assembly on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution.{{cite web|url=https://www.citizensassembly.ie/en/meetings/usi-powerpoint.pdf|title=Citizens Assembly Meetings|access-date=1 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204193141/https://www.citizensassembly.ie/en/Meetings/USI-Powerpoint.pdf|archive-date=4 December 2017|url-status=live}}

Hoey was also a board member of the Higher Education Authority.{{cite web|url=https://hea.ie/assets/uploads/2017/10/385th-Minutes-June-2017.pdf|title=Higher Education Authority|access-date=1 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018193756/https://hea.ie/assets/uploads/2017/10/385th-Minutes-June-2017.pdf|archive-date=18 October 2019|url-status=live}}

Hoey took up the role as the Education and Training officer for the Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment in 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://www.anniehoey.com/meetannie|title=Meet Annie|website=Senator Annie Hoey|access-date=22 May 2020|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924122050/https://www.anniehoey.com/meetannie|url-status=live}} Soon after, Hoey was appointed as the National Canvassing Coordinator and a spokesperson for Together For Yes working for long-time campaigner Ailbhe Smyth.{{Cite web|url=https://www.labour.ie/anniehoey/biography/|title=Annie Hoey - Biography|first=The Labour|last=Party|date=5 November 2015|website=The Labour Party|access-date=1 April 2020|archive-date=11 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211072908/https://www.labour.ie/anniehoey/biography/|url-status=live}}{{Cite journal|title=The abortion referendum of 2018 and a timeline of abortion politics in Ireland to date|first=Luke|last=Field|date=30 July 2018|journal=Irish Political Studies|volume=33|issue=4|pages=608–628|doi=10.1080/07907184.2018.1500461|s2cid=150146891|doi-access=free}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.democracynow.org/2018/5/29/meet_two_of_the_activists_behind|title=Meet Two of the Activists Behind Ireland's Historic Vote to Repeal a Ban on Nearly All Abortions|website=Democracy Now!|access-date=25 May 2020|archive-date=26 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926021355/https://www.democracynow.org/2018/5/29/meet_two_of_the_activists_behind|url-status=live}}

During the 2018 presidential election, Hoey was appointed Volunteer Director for campaign to re-elect Michael D. Higgins. Shortly after, Hoey was employed as the Women and Youth Development Manager with the Labour Party from 2019 to 2020.

In the 2019 local elections Hoey was elected on the 9th count in May 2019 to represent Laytown-Bettystown local electoral area on the Meath County Council with 1,093 first preference votes.{{cite web |title=Elections 2019: Local Electoral Area: Laytown-Bettystown |url=https://elections.independent.ie/local-election-2019/meath-county-council/laytown-bettystown |newspaper=Irish Independent |location=Dublin |access-date=1 April 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608233531/https://elections.independent.ie/local-election-2019/meath-county-council/laytown-bettystown |archive-date=8 June 2021}} She served as a member of Meath County Council from 2019 to 2020.

In February 2020, Hoey unsuccessfully contested the 2020 general election as the Labour Party candidate for the Meath East constituency, receiving 874 first preference votes (2.08%).{{Cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/election2020/meath-east |title=Meath East constituency |newspaper=The Irish Times |access-date=1 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229081358/https://www.irishtimes.com/election2020/meath-east |archive-date=29 February 2020 |url-status=live }}

In March 2020, Hoey successfully contested the 2020 Seanad election as the Labour Party candidate for the Agricultural Panel.{{Cite web |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/sf-s-lynn-boylan-among-those-running-for-seanad-1.4189457 |title=SF's Lynn Boylan among those running for Seanad |first=Marie |last=O'Halloran |newspaper=The Irish Times |location=Dublin |date=1 March 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210609003223/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/sf-s-lynn-boylan-among-those-running-for-seanad-1.4189457 |archive-date=9 June 2021}} Hoey received 63 first preference votes (weighted to a value of 63,000) and was elected on the 20th count with a final weighted vote tally of 94,186.{{cite news |title=Labour councillor Annie Hoey elected to Seanad |url=https://www.meathchronicle.ie/2020/04/01/labour-councillor-annie-hoey-elected-to-seanad/ |access-date=8 June 2021 |work=Meath Chronicle |date=1 April 2020 |location=Navan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608234254/https://www.meathchronicle.ie/2020/04/01/labour-councillor-annie-hoey-elected-to-seanad/ |archive-date=8 June 2021}} Elaine McGinty was co-opted to Hoey's seat on Meath County Council following her election to the Seanad.

In June 2020, Hoey made history when she became the first out bisexual member of Ireland’s national parliament.{{Cite web |title=SENATOR ANNIE HOEY {{!}} 380 - GCN Magazine |url=https://magazine.gcn.ie/articles/255036?article=24-1 |access-date=23 February 2024|website=magazine.gcn.ie}} From 2021 to 2023, she raised topics on LGBTQ+ issues over 25 times inside the Oireachtas, especially on parental matters and trans healthcare.{{Cite web |last=Oireachtas |first=Houses of the |date=28 February 2024|title=An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) – Seanad Éireann (26th Seanad) – Tuesday, 28 Feb 2023 – Houses of the Oireachtas |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/seanad/2023-02-28/13 |access-date=23 February 2024|website=www.oireachtas.ie |language=en-ie}} She also championed the Dublin Gay Theatre Festival in 2022 as a “focal supporter in the Oireachtas” and has worked internationally to support LGBTQ+ rights also beyond the Irish borders.{{Cite web |title=SENATOR ANNIE HOEY {{!}} 380 - GCN Magazine |url=https://magazine.gcn.ie/articles/255036?article=24-1 |access-date=23 February 2024|website=magazine.gcn.ie}}

Hoey was one of five Labour senators to seek a High Court ruling to determine whether the Seanad can sit before the eleven Taoiseach's nominees have been chosen.{{Cite web |first=Hugh |last=O'Connell |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/senators-to-seek-court-ruling-that-could-extend-deadline-to-form-a-government-39279135.html |title=Senators to seek court ruling that could extend deadline to form a government|work=Irish Independent |date=11 June 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200611200544/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/senators-to-seek-court-ruling-that-could-extend-deadline-to-form-a-government-39279135.html |archive-date=11 June 2020}} In July 2020, Hoey was appointed pParty spokesperson on Higher Education, Innovation and Research.{{cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Aoife |title=Labour will be 'strong democratic voice' in opposition, says Alan Kelly |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/labour-announces-new-party-spokespeople-1009732.html |work=Irish Examiner |date=7 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707183221/https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/labour-announces-new-party-spokespeople-1009732.html |archive-date=7 July 2020}} She introduced legislation to link student nurses and midwives pay to Health Care Assistants' pay in December 2020 after months of campaigning.{{cite news |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2021/0120/1191038-nurses-pay-dail/ |title=Opposition calls for 'fair and reasonable' pay for student nurses |date=20 January 2021 |first=Ingrid |last=Miley |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130005417/https://www.rte.ie/news/2021/0120/1191038-nurses-pay-dail/ |archive-date=30 January 2021}}

In 2023, she campaigned for the introduction of a LungCheck screening programme, similar to that of BreastCheck or CervicalCheck.{{Cite web |title=Time to consider a national Lung Cancer Screening Programme |url=https://labour.ie/news/2023/02/13/time-to-consider-a-national-lung-cancer-screening-programme/ |access-date=23 February 2024|website=The Labour Party |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Labour demand introduction of national Lung Cancer Screening Programme |url=https://labour.ie/news/2023/03/14/labour-demand-introduction-of-national-lung-cancer-screening-programme/ |access-date=23 February 2024|website=The Labour Party |language=en-US}} Hoey welcomed the news that a pilot would be getting underway when announced in April 2023.{{Cite web |title=Irish lung cancer screening pilot to get underway |url=https://www.businesspost.ie/news/irish-lung-cancer-screening-pilot-to-get-underway/ |access-date=23 February 2024|website=www.businesspost.ie |language=en-US}}

In February 2024, Hoey confronted social media company X executives with sexually abusive and violent posts directed at her on what she called a "hellscape" platform,{{Cite web |date=21 February 2024|title=Labour senator Annie Hoey confronts X execs with sexually abusive and violent posts directed at her on 'hellscape' platform |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/labour-senator-annie-hoey-confronts-x-execs-with-sexually-abusive-and-violent-posts-directed-at-her-on-hellscape-platform/a777019595.html |access-date=23 February 2024|website=Independent.ie |language=en}} where she claimed the platform was "doing infinitely more harm”.{{Cite web |date=22 February 2024|title=Social media 'doing infinitely more harm', says Senator following sustained online abuse |url=https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/social-media-doing-infinitely-more-harm-says-senator-following-sustained-online-abuse-1592092.html |access-date=23 February 2024|website=BreakingNews.ie |language=en}}

She did not contest the 2025 Seanad election.{{cite web|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/seanad-election-2025-candidates-6582837-Dec2024/|title=Who are the political parties putting forward in the Seanad election?|work=TheJournal.ie|date=31 December 2024|access-date=1 January 2025}}

Hoey is bisexual.{{cite tweet |user=hoeyannie |number=1315326910453383170 |date=11 October 2020 |title=Senator Bisexual signing in for duty on #ComingOutDay Bisexuals exist (we even walk the hallowed corridors of Leinster House!) The Gay Agenda™ is not complete until LGBTQ+ people across the world are free and exist peacefully. Trans women are women. TERFs can go suck coal}} She is married to Dan Waugh.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/politics/senator-annie-hoey-tells-bisexual-26850977|title=Senator Annie Hoey tells of bisexual pride: 'I'm the only 'out' woman in Irish politics'|work=Irish Mirror|date=3 May 2022|access-date=8 July 2022|last1=Nolan |first1=Larissa }}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/ive-postponed-my-wedding-four-times-so-weve-decided-enough-is-enough-senator-annie-hoey-40610239.html|title="I've postponed my wedding four times so we've decided enough is enough" – Senator Annie Hoey|work=Irish Independent|date=4 July 2021|access-date=4 July 2021|archive-date=4 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704071113/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/ive-postponed-my-wedding-four-times-so-weve-decided-enough-is-enough-senator-annie-hoey-40610239.html|url-status=live}} In 2023, she was nominated for 'LGBTQ+ Person of the Year Award' at the GALAS 2023. {{Cite web |last=Tiernan |first=Han |date=1 September 2023|title=GALAS 2023 shortlist announced for awards honouring Ireland's LGBTQ+ community |url=https://gcn.ie/galas-2023-shortlist-announced/ |access-date=23 February 2024|website=GCN |language=en}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://labour.ie/people/annie-hoey/ Labour Party profile]

{{Members of the 26th Seanad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hoey, Annie}}

Category:1988 births

Category:Living people

Category:Alumni of Trinity College Dublin

Category:Alumni of University College Cork

Category:Alumni of the University of Limerick

Category:Bisexual women politicians

Category:Labour Party (Ireland) senators

Category:LGBTQ legislators in Ireland

Category:Members of Meath County Council

Category:Members of the 26th Seanad

Category:21st-century women members of Seanad Éireann

Category:People from Drogheda

Category:Irish bisexual women

Category:21st-century Irish LGBTQ people

Category:Labour Party (Ireland) candidates in Dáil elections

Category:Labour Party (Ireland) local councillors

Category:Agricultural Panel senators

Category:Irish bisexual politicians