Irish sports star inundated with support after wedding picture backlash
Former footballer and TikTok star Gemma Leahy has the perfect comeback to those who criticised a picture she posted of her and her wife, Amie Chivers.
Making her debut in 2010, Gemma played with the Women's Westmeath senior football team for two seasons and was part of the team that won the All-Ireland Intermediate title in 2011.
In early 2020, she established her own social media presence, focusing on travel, food, and Irish pubs; however, she has often been the target of online hate.
On Valentine's Day, Gemma posted a sweet picture and message for her wife on social media.
The main shot showed the couple on their wedding day, sharing a kiss on the beach as they posed for their photographer and celebrated one of the happiest days of their lives.
Pic: Gemma Leahy/Instagram
While many people commented on how cute the post was, hundreds unfollowed her because of it.
This is not the first time Gemma has fallen victim to hatred online, but it is something she refuses to allow affect her.
In avideo addressing it, she said: 'So yesterday was eventful... Over 400 people unfollowed me on Facebook because of a picture of my wife and me.'
While Gemma said she was slightly shocked by this, she scrolled through the comments to see what the reaction was.
She said: 'I'm really lucky to say that 99.9 per cent of them are extremely loving and positive, but there were a few gremlins in the comments, but you know how I like to respond to gremlins...'
How does she respond? With positivity. Putting together a video, she mentioned a few of them. 'One person said we are not properly married.'
Pic: Gemma Leahy/Instagram
Gemma sent them a message back saying, 'You're right, I gave her a Haribo ring, threw on a white dress and hoped for the best.'
Another wrote on her page, 'Divorced in 18 months.' Laughing Gemma responded with 'I hope not we have been married four years, together nine, I think we are doing fine, but thanks.'
Those who follow her jumped behind her, showing her support with one name at the top: Kevin Kilbane.
Pic: Gemma Leahy/Instagram
The former Irish footballer said, 'I wouldn’t worry.. Same thing happened to me when I publicly announced my engagement and love for my now wife!
'I just thought it was an Irish thing. “Jaysus ya don’t let anyone see the emotional stuff” as Dad would say!
Chatting to EVOKE after the reaction, Gemma said: 'The support has been incredible, and I wasn't even looking for support, it was more of an awareness piece. Gloria Estefan liked the post. Kevin Kilbane, singers, and actors from all over the world have been messaging me.'
Pic: Gemma Leahy/Instagram
'The biggest takeaway for me is that it is easy to focus on the negative, on the people (followers) you lose, but (in this case) the positive massively outweighs it. With those who left, so many more came in with kindness and support.'
Thinking about why it still happens in this day and age, Gemma said: 'I think we live in a world where [some people think] it is their right to put others down online or it is their opinion, and they have to be right...'
Finishing her message online, Gemma reminded those out there: 'The world is a tough enough place without you putting in your two cents. To everyone who was positive, thank you. I really realy appreciate it. To the people who left, their loss. I am great craic!'
