The Gay Project traces its roots back to the 1970’s when the first LGBT meetings took place under the guise of the Cork Naturist Club. The 1980’s saw the creation of the Cork Gay Collective, the Quay Co-op and the Gay Health Action. In 1991, a gay and lesbian resource centre, The Other Place was set up. This housed the Southern Gay Men’s Health Project as well as a cafe and disco.

The Cork Gay Community Development Company was formed in 2000. In 2019, this became the Gay Project. A full history of the LGBT community in Cork can be found in Orla Egan’s book The Queer Republic of Cork – copies of which are available for sale from the Gay Project.