Panti Bliss creator Rory O'Neill, Senator David Norris and Fr. Peter McVerry are among a small group receiving Honorary Degrees from Trinity College.
Also joining them are Holocaust survivor Tomi Reichental and humanitarian Graca Machel, widow of Nelson Mandela.
They're being recognised by the university for their human rights work over the last number of years and will be conferred with a Doctor in Laws.
Rory O'Neill said the honor came as a surprise to him:
"I felt almost embarrassed, it seems like such an odd thing. But it's really lovely and I really appreciate it. I think it's a real sign of how Ireland has changed, you know, I don't think 20 years ago Trinity College would have been giving me and honorary doctorate."
Senator David Norris said he was "very pleased" with the award and said it came as a "surprise" to him.
Graca Machel, who was married to Nelson Mandela, is being recognised for her work with women and children during her time as as Minister for Education in Mozambique and described the honour as "humbling but a recognition".
Tomi Reichental, who survived the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp but lost 35 members of his family, said the honour wasn't only for him but for them as well.
Father Peter McVerry said the Doctor in Laws was an acknowledgement of him and other helping to change the lives of homeless people in Ireland.
