Grant to study city's Irish gays

Researchers are looking for participants for the study

A university has been given £82,000 to examine the experiences of Irish homosexuals living in London.

Essex University will study the lives of Irish lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and why they choose to move to the city.

The project is being funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.

A Taxpayers' Alliance spokesman said: "It sounds like it's come straight out of a political correctness joke book. I'm lost for words."

Sociologist Roisin Ryan-Flood, leading the project, said: "By exploring the relationship between sexuality, ethnicity, and migration, the study will uncover the ways in which contemporary sexual citizenship, migration and LGBT imaginaries of the metropolis are mutually implicated in complex ways."

An Essex University spokeswoman said: "The project will explore why Irish LGBT migrants have chosen to move to London and their experiences there.

"It will focus on notions of home, identity and belonging."

Researchers are looking for participants to take part in the study.