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Cumann na Daoine

A community based organisation in Youghal, Co. Cork, Ireland.

LGBTI+ #HoldFirm

Pride in the South: Cork Pride events & Youghal Pride planning

A happy Friday to you all! I hope you’re staying hydrated and cool in this insane heatwave we are experiencing. I’m sure that by now you’ve picked out the Cork Pride events that you would like to attend, but if not, don’t worry, be sure to check out their programme through this link: https://corkpride.com/events-listing/ . Cork Pride starts on the 24th of July and will be running until the 1st of August.

Here at Seeding the County and Cumann na Daoine we are also gearing up for our own Pride here in Youghal, the fantastic Youghal Pride by the Sea. The proposed dates for the event will be on the weekend of the 17th of September. We are having our first working group meeting (on Zoom) this coming Monday, the 26th of July at 2pm. If you are interested in getting involved in organising the Pride events, be sure not to miss this meeting, or get in touch if you can’t make this date. Community Prides rely on the generosity and energy of their volunteers and the upside is that you get to be fully immersed in the local LGBT+ community, taking part in one of the best events of the year! Drop me an email on mariellecumannnadaoine@gmail.com if you would like to participate!

We are also still on the lookout for individuals with technical prowess, who might be able to help us achieve our (techy) goals. If you are such a person, and have some time to spare, please do not hesitate to get in contact on seedingthecounty@gmail.com. This is also the right email to get onto if you are interested in joining our brand new Advocacy Group.If you’ve been itching to do something productive about the injustice and homophobia still very present in this world, this is the group for you. The group meets once a month online and aims to work for a fairer, more equal society for all; relevant training will also be offered to the members of this group!

Finally, this is your weekly reminder that our Teatime Zoom Sessions are always there if you need a space to chat, relax and simply be yourself. Simply send an email to mariellecumannadaoine@gmail.com or seedingthecounty@gmail.com to get your link for the sessions! Teatime Zoom happens every Thursday between 5pm and 6pm.

 

Be sure to check out our facebook page and instagram page (@seedingthecountycork) to get all our latest news!

That’s all from me, have a great weekend,

Stay sane and stay safe, Marielle

Latest Project Developments 

Hi everyone,

With Marielle out sick thought I’d bring you up to speed on a few other developments in Seeding the County. I’m sure we all wish her a speedy recovery and to have her back with us soon.

We have a tender invitation out (link here www.activelink.ie/node/82655, closing date 23rd July) for the development of a ‘Toolkit for LGBT+ Inclusion in Family Supports’. With this suite of documents, all family support services will have reference to best practice in working with LGBT+ people, guidelines on how to make inclusive policies and how to make sure that staff old and new are all coming from the same page in terms of inclusion, understanding and approach. The Toolkit project is funded by the LGBT+ Youth capacity Fund and will also include lots of training for all you hardworking family support staff! It’s a joint project with Youghal Library (as part of the Cork County Libraries Inclusion Committee) and the new Youghal Family Resource Centre and it’s great to be collaborating with such dedicated team players.

The new advocacy group will be spreading its wings soon – bear in mind, you don’t have to be in East Cork to be part of this, in fact we’d love to have some new members from around the county! As well as identifying issues that need to be addressed for our community to be safer, more equal, more acknowledged – we’ll be accessing training from the likes of INAR (how do deal with hate graffiti is a good example) and other advocacy tools.

The East Cork LGBT+ Network has joined the county’s Public Participation Network (PPN). This is a Council structure that enables us to have a stronger voice at civic and community level. We’ll be sharing more about the PPN and how it works over the next few weeks. If you’d like to join the Network, please email lgbtyoughal@gmail.com and we’ll let you know what’s happening next!

Following on from our much-loved Queer Chronicles series, were planning our next online sessions: watch this space for your opportunity to join in. We’re also working on making the Queer Chronicles reading and resource lists into a ‘living’ document that you can input into as well.

There’s always a welcome (even if it’s virtual) for volunteers who want to get involved. If you’d like to start a group in your own area, have an idea for an event, or a skill you’d like to share (we’d love some tech heads to get involved – this virtual world can be a challenge!) then please, drop us an email at seedingthecounty@gmail.com . We’d love to hear from you!

Finally, mark your diary for Youghal Pride by the Sea 2021 on the weekend of September 17th. We’re aiming for a blended event – some online, some physical – though of course we’ll be looking after everyone’s safety and adhering to whatever guidelines are needed at the time. I can’t wait to tell you more about this, we’re planning some surprises already! Full details as soon as we have them.

Take care of each other and stay safe – remember we’re here for you –  even though we can’t meet each other just yet.

With love and pride, Hayley

Cork Pride & New Advocacy Group 

Happy Friday! July is zipping along, and as Summer hits its stride, we have Cork City Pride to look forward to this month!

Cork Pride is happening between the 24th of July and the 4th of August and there is a healthy mix of online and in-person events. Whether you’d like to see a Pride boat roll into the City harbour or sign up for a Drag Queen to perform at your own house, there is sure to be something that suits your style. You can check out the full program and a plethora of interesting articles at this link : https://corkpride.com/magazines/

In sadder news, reports of more homophobic violence are reaching us by the day, both nationally and internationally. Just two days ago a Pride flag was burnt in Limerick as they celebrated their Pride Festival; further afield, the Tbilisi Pride March in Georgia had to be cancelled due to targeted violence towards the Pride organisers and the building in which they worked. Additionally and tragically, in Spain, a 24 year-old gay man, Samuel Luiz, was murdered in a suspected LGBT+ hate crime. This wave of violence may leave us feeling vulnerable and scared, but I am here to remind you that together we are strong and that we are a family forged through love, understanding and a vision for a kinder world.

Here at Seeding the County we have just started an advocacy group (name pending) that will strive to be seen and be heard championing LGBT+ rights and dignity. If you are interested in organising actions for the betterment of the LGBT+ Community, and would like to do so within a diverse group of equally enthusiastic peers please do not hesitate to email on seedingthecounty@gmail.com. The group meets monthly via zoom, tackling issues like homophobia, hate crime legislation and LGBT+ family rights to name a few.

Finally, this is your weekly reminder that our Teatime Zoom Sessions are always there if you need a space to chat, relax and simply be yourself. Simply send an email to mariellecumannadaoine@gmail.com or seedingthecounty@gmail.com to get your link for the sessions! Teatime Zoom happens every Thursday between 5pm and 6pm.

Be sure to check out our facebook page and instagram page (@seedingthecountycork) to get all our latest news!

That’s all from me, have a great weekend,

Stay sane and stay safe, Marielle

[image from GCN: Waterford Solidarity]

East Cork LGBT+ Network meets on the beach!

A happy warm Friday to you all, I hope you are keeping hydrated, while enjoying the blast of pure Summer weather we’re getting. It’s the first Friday in July and sadly Pride Month is over, however, do not despair as we are not done showing our Pride just yet! This week the East Cork LGBT+ Network hosted their first in-person event and gathered on Youghal Strand to enjoy a relaxed walk on the beach and to close off Pride Month with Pride cupcakes (thanks, Diarmuid O’Halloran!) and good company. Be sure to drop an email to seedingthecounty@gmail.com to join the network and be the first to know about our events through our mailing list.

This week we are very happy to announce the Municipal Buildings in Youghal have erected the Pride Flag once again, and it can be seen flying proudly over the government buildings. The flag was first erected on IDAHOBIT day, this May 17th, and was taken down in accordance with Council protocol some time later. Now, in solidarity with the LGBT+ community in Waterford, who faced a series of homophobic incidents during Waterford Pride, the flag has been raised once more. Our thanks to staff of Cork County Council who ensured the flag flew proudly again! This was also thanks to the help of Oona Collin, who runs In Stitches on North Main Street, Youghal – she kindly repaired the weather-damaged flag and put up a Pride display in her own store front!  Be sure to check it out as you are passing through Youghal’s main road. 

Here at Seeding the County we have an exciting opportunity to share, especially if you ever wished to join the team and contribute to this project! We have just put out an invitation to tender for a suitably experienced/qualified individual or organisation to develop the ‘Building Blocks for LGBT+ Youth Inclusion in Family Supports’ Toolkit and associated consultation report. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a serious impact in the lives of LGBT+ Youth across County Cork. So follow the link to find out more about the role and be sure to apply if you think you are the right person for the job! More info at www.activelink.ie/node/82655.

Finally, this is your weekly reminder that our Teatime Zoom Sessions are always there if you need a space to chat, relax and simply be yourself. Simply send an email to mariellecumannadaoine@gmail.com or seedingthecounty@gmail.com to get your link for the sessions! Teatime Zoom happens every Thursday between 5pm and 6pm.

Be sure to check out our facebook page and instagram page (@seedingthecountycork) to get all our latest news!

That’s all from me, have a great weekend,

Stay sane and stay safe, Marielle

Pride supports, BeLonGTo report & upcoming events

Pride month celebrations are still ongoing, and An Post have joined the celebrations with the release of special issue Bród stamps (that’s Pride for all the non-Irish speakers). The stamps, along with other great looking Ireland’s Pride Movement (Gluaiseacht Bhróid na hÉireann) merchandise, are available online here: https://www.anpost.com/Shop/BródCollection and in main post offices around the country. Better yet, BelongTo and LGBT Ireland will benefit from each sale of this special collection, so don’t hold back! I know I can’t wait to start sporting my Bród pin this Pride month.

This week, BeLonGTo LGBT+ Youth Services launched their report ‘Life in Lockdown: 1 Year Later’, which highlights some of the issues that have faced young people during the Covid pandemic. There are some distressing figures here, including that over 90% of young people have experienced mental health issues, and some of the quotes ‘”I’ve spent this time in a deeply homophobic household” highlight the challenges faced. Read more about these findings here: LGBTI-Life-in-Lockdown-1-Year-Later_BeLonG-To-Youth-Services

A last reminder that to mark International Refugee Day, LGBT Ireland & Dublin Pride are presenting a webinar this coming Monday, 21st June. You can find out more and book your place here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/webinar-to-mark-world-refugee-day-2021-tickets-158728781057

LGBT Ireland also facilitates a monthly peer support group for LGBT+ people seeking international protection in Ireland. Find out more here about “Is Rainbow Muid, We Are Rainbow”.

Following the disturbing wave of homophobia in Waterford, where rainbow flags were torn down and burned, Youghal Municipal Council will be rehanging the rainbow flag at the Town Hall in Youghal in support of our community. Our last flag suffered some wind damage (that’s the seaside for you!) so as soon as it’s repaired you’ll see it flying again! Youghal Pride by the Sea have also produced some rainbow flag stickers with the new inclusive flag design – these are available if you’d like to display them in your business or window. These are a fundraiser and cost €1 or €2 if you’d like it posted. Email seedingthecounty@gmail.com if you’d like to order any!

We are also producing posters to spread the word on Seeding the County and it’s networks – if you can distribute any posters or hang them in your business / surgery / public space, please get in touch at the email above. Your participation in this is really important to us – we want you to feel part of this project too!

Do look out for the Cork Independent’s Pride feature later next week, with some input from our very own East Cork LGBT+ Network. Remember too that the East Cork LGBT+ Network’s Beach Walk is coming up on Wednesday 30th of June, 4pm at Youghal Strand – mark it in your calendars! All are welcome – if you’re under 18 we ask you to be accompanied by someone older.

Finally, this is your weekly reminder that our Teatime Zoom Sessions are always there if you need a space to chat, relax and simply be yourself. Simply send an email to mariellecumannnadaoine@gmail.com to get your link for the sessions! Teatime Zoom happens every Thursday between 5pm and 6pm.

Be sure to check out our facebook page and instagram page (@seedingthecountycork to get all our latest news!

That’s all from me, have a great weekend,

Stay sane and stay safe

Marielle

 

Beach Walk & Intersectionality Talk

Another week, another Friday! 2021 is very nearly half done, and with restrictions lifting, the best half of the year may yet be ahead of us. To kick start that better half, Seeding the County is delighted to announce its first in-person social event of the year! We will be hosting a Beach Walk for the East Cork LGBT+ Network on Tuesday the 29th of June at 4pm. We will be meeting at the Strand, at the carpark by the lifeguard hut and all are welcome! We only ask that if anyone under 18 is planning to attend, they must be accompanied by an adult.

I can’t wait to be able to chat to you all face to face, it is sure to be a wonderful time spent in good company! If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to email me on mariellecummannnadaoine@gmail.com. Please wear your mask and adhere to social distancing guidelines.

As you may know, Pride Month is in full swing! Warm your hearts a little and be sure to check out our facebook and instagram page, where we are sharing all the wonderful Pride Window Displays and Rainbow flags being displayed across Family Resource Centres, community centres, schools, libraries and businesses all around County Cork! If you are walking through Youghal, be sure to take a detour to Catherine Street so that you can enjoy the view of Cumann na Daoine’s very own Pride window display in the flesh.

Last week we spoke about saving the date for Dublin Pride’s lunchtime webinar, happening on Refugee Day, the 21st June at 12:30pm. This week we have more information for you! This is a joint event between LGBT Ireland and Dublin Pride and it will consist of a panel discussion and an animation launch. The event will focus on the mental health challenges faced by LGBT+ Asylum Seekers in Ireland and will launch an animation created by members of Is Rainbow Muid, on this topic. Registration for the webinar is available through this link: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/webinar-to-mark-world-refugee-day-2021-tickets-158728781057

An event not to be missed, and free of course!

If you missed the Bealtaine Intersectionality talk, with our own Daithi and Will talking with Rory O’Neill and Ailbhe Smyth, you can watch the full recording here: https://youtu.be/Bs-o-qqY1Kw

Finally, this is your weekly reminder that our Teatime Zoom Sessions are always there if you need a space to chat, relax and simply be yourself. Simply send an email to mariellecumannadaoine@gmail.com to get your link for the sessions! Teatime Zoom happens every Thursday between 5- 6pm.

That’s all from me, have a great weekend,

Stay sane and stay safe, Marielle

Happy Pride Month

A happy Pride Month and happy Friday to everyone! It’s all kicking off,  social media is decorated in rainbow flags and the excitement is palpable. However, with restrictions still in place, the usual scenes of parades and crowded festivals from Prides past are still only a memory. Despite this, fear not, we live in the digital age and Dublin Pride has organised the vast majority of its events online, including the parade! As have other Prides around the country such as Kerry, Sligo, Clonmel and Galway Pride later in the summer.

Do not miss a beat this Pride Month, catch all Dubllin Pride’s online events at https://dublinpride.ie/events/. Today you catch the final session of Machnamh Bród: a discussion panel that examines and celebrates the intersections of communities within our own community and reflects on what we have done to challenge racism, misogyny, transphobia and ableism in the last year. Happening between 7 and 8pm online.

Sticking to Dublin Pride events, we have a ‘save the date’ for you: 21st June at 12:30pm sees a lunchtime webinar, highlighting the issues faced by LGBT+ Asylum Seekers, for Refugee Week will be hosted as part of Dublin Pride Community Week. Keep an eye on our facebook page for updates.

Later this month, Seeding the County will be hosting an LGB Awareness training course for the staff of participating family and community resource centres and libraries in County Cork. It is being held so as to assist these vital community resources in providing better care and understanding for their LGB communities, when their services are accessed. The course will be run by Gerard Sweetman, LGBT+ Development Worker with Clonmel CRC

This course follows last month’s highly successful training session with Noah Halpin, visiting us from TENI, who delivered a Trans 101 workshop to a (virtual) room of engaged service providers.

Finally, this is your weekly reminder that our Teatime Zoom Sessions are always there if you need a space to chat, relax and simply be yourself. Simply email myself on mariellecumannadaoine@gmail.com to get your link for the sessions! Teatime Zoom happens every Thursday between 5- 6pm.

Don’t forget to check out our facebook page and instagram page @seedingthecountycork to get all our latest news!

That’s all from me, have a great weekend,

Stay sane and stay safe, Marielle

Art & Film

New exhibition Queer Utopia highlights important issues for LGBTQ+ community

Artist Mariette Feeney explains the impetus for a sculptural exhibition designed to represent the queer ideal.

GCN, 26 MAY, 2021. WRITTEN BY ELLA BOWLER.

IMAGE: JILLY MCGRATH

“I want people to walk in and think, someone very gay made this.”

Mariette Feeney’s Queer Utopia exhibition has premiered in A4 Sounds on St Josephs Parade. Feeney’s exhibition is a physical manifestation of a series of interviews conducted where they asked queer people what do they want and what is important to them

Feeney is an artist and designer currently living and working in Dublin. They moved from the UK to Ireland in 2013 to live and study, and graduated from TUD with a degree in Furniture Design. Their work is centred around the personal, small and often over looked aspects of queer life, and through their sculpture they give physical form to the idea that in order to do good work, we must all have a place to retreat.

Feeney uses Queer Utopia as a mechanism to engage with queer people. Feeney designed sculptures based on interviews they conducted with queer people surrounding the queer ideal. Post-exhibition, the sculptures will go to the people Feeney interviewed. 

“Because I had that budget, I was like- this is the way to talk to queer people, make them something, and just give it to them for free,” says Feeney. 

Feeney is on a paid residency with A4 Sounds. A4 Sounds offer multiple paid residencies a year. Some of their residencies specifically cater for underrepresented groups in society; asylum seekers, those currently unhoused and trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people. 

“I had a little scene of it in my mind,” prior to their residency, Feeney explained. They had an image for Queer Utopia which then became a more expansive project. Now, Feeney would consider it more than an isolated exhibition, “I want to talk to more queer people and give them more things.” 

Pink is the dominating colour of Feeney’s exhibition. “It’s embracing something I used to think was frivolous, and now I’m like there’s nothing wrong with being frivolous.”

“A lot of the time we think of queer struggle, and that is a big component of our lives collectively and part of our experience, but I also wanted to dedicate some space to joy, what is important to you, what do you love about your world.” 

‘Queer Utopia’ is being exhibited until May 30, you can find out more information here

Watch: Limerick school students create heartwarming video in support of LGBTQ+ community

The fantastic video ‘I Don’t Care’ was made by the TY Community Group in Villiers School, Limerick.

GCN, 25 MAY, 2021. WRITTEN BY PETER DUNNE .

The students of Villiers School in Limerick have created a wonderful short video declaring their inclusivity and support for all and showing there’s no room for homophobia and transphobia in their community.

Br Graham Sawyer explained that, while professionally filmed, the video is all the work of the students themselves who wanted to show there is no room for bigotry at their school.

Titled I Don’t Care, the video features the students listing all the things that shouldn’t matter. The students describe;

“I don’t care if you put milk in the bowl before cereal.
I don’t care if you’re a vegan.
I don’t care if you support Munster.
I don’t care if you support Leinster.”

As the video continues, the students then explain the things that do matter;

“But at Villiers, we do care if you judge someone for their sexual orientation.
We do care if you judge someone for being trans.
We do care if you’re not inclusive.
We do care if you don’t stand up for what is right.”

One of the students involved, Trilby Rose, shared with GCN what they hope the video will achieve, “As a new student at Villiers, I have come to learn that it will accept you and provide an enjoyable and safe environment, but a lot of LGBT+ youth will always find coming out hard, with a fear of being outed and not make this decision theirs, or coming out and not being accepted.

“I hope this video will help them if they wish to come out, and show them that, no matter what, there will always be people behind you and helping you, and that is what the Villiers students and staff are to any member of our community.”

Student Mancur Robinson, who helped set up the current LGBTQ+ group in the school, added, “The video was a project thought up by the TY Community Group. Their mission to bring the school closer together and spread positive messages about one’s individuality has helped bring a new and more accepting Villiers into the lives of students.

“I personally am glad they have the guidance and support of our chaplain, Brother Graham, his work with them and for the school has been invaluable. The school has never been as progressive as it has been now and I am proud to call myself a student of this school that flies the Pride flag with no shame.”

The fantastic video is already a hit on social media, with Queen of Ireland, Panti Bliss, praising it on Twitter for its inclusivity.

Others on social media also celebrated the Limerick school, sharing, “Villiers School walk the walk and talk the talk. An amazing inclusive school.”

This is a terrific show of support for the community and especially LGBTQ+ students at Villiers. Congratulations to the creators for making their school a more welcoming and inclusive place, and here’s hoping more schools follow their lead.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/gk3ZYUcq2rc

New artwork by queer artist raising funds for CATU Ireland

Queer artists Brian Teeling and Róisín Ní Haicéid’s detail their experience working with the housing union, CATU Ireland.

GCN 25 MAY, 2021. WRITTEN BY ELLA BOWLER.

“I feel like when you involve people in activism with such a specific project, and be like ;this is what we’re working towards’, it keeps people going.” says Ní Haicéid.

Catu Ireland is a union for communities and tenants, that means renters, council tenants, mortgage holders and people in emergency and precarious living situations. This union allows members of the community to come together to deconstruct common issues orbiting housing. CATU Ireland works with many amazing individuals, including queer artists Brian Teeling and Róisín Ní Haicéid. 

On behalf of CATU Ireland, Brian Teeling presents Phibsboro Shopping CentreTeeling is a self-taught artist living and working in Dublin. His recent exhibitions include ‘A Vague Anxiety’ at IMMA (2019), ‘Halftone’ at The Library Project (2019, 2020), and ‘Uncover’ also at The Library Project and The Lavit Gallery, Cork (2018). 

Teeling captures the icon of the Phibsboro skyline which is currently under threat of being transformed into an unwanted co-living space, in gorgeous print. This print is currently available for a limited run; regarding Teeling’s work, CATU Ireland say: 

“Proceeds from the sales of this beautiful piece will go directly to CATU Ireland in support of their work with communities and tenants across the country.” 

“It’s so hard to have community action and to build a broader community without the numbers and I think CATU provides that.” says Róisín Ní Haicéid. 

Róisín Ní Haicéid is a musician, student and “general loudmouth”. She has been involved with housing rights activism since secondary school and a member of CATU Ireland since the establishment of CATU Drumcondra. 

“I’ve always been involved in the homelessness sector…I started volunteering in a soup kitchen in TY and I just kept doing stuff like that – I ran a soup run when I was in first year of college and then when Take Back the City happened, there was the occupation on Frederick Street and that was before CATU was CATU,” says Ní Haicéid. 

Ní Haicéid goes on to talk about her experience with CATU: “I joined CATU Drumcondra two months ago, it wasn’t established so we had such a clear project when I joined…there was only six of us on the first zoom call and trying to set up the campaign for CATU Drumcondra. I feel like when you involve people in activism with such a specific project and be like this is what we’re working towards, it keeps people going.” 

To find more information on CATU Ireland and how you can get involved, visit their website here.

Flags, Research, Reports & Conversations

 A very happy Friday to everyone! We are well into summer now, even though the weather would have us thinking otherwise. We are also heading towards the start of June, which is Pride month. Though, just like last year we won’t be able to celebrate in a festival-like environment, I believe that there’s no better time to explore and rediscover what Pride means to you. For me, it has always felt most true as a protest and political statement. Here’s an article written by Tre’vell Anderson during Pride month last year that explores this idea and looks back at the start of the gay liberation movement: https://www.esquire.com/pride-protest-lgbtq-rights.

However, before we skip on ahead to Pride, we cannot forget that we are still in Cork’s very own LGBTI+ Awareness Week. Running for the next two days, direct to your pc, you may view the Rainbow Cities Network photo exhibition ‘Intersectionality Within the LGBTQ+ Community’ through this link:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/b9uke9rs7l5vqlv/rcn_exhibition2021.pdf?dl=0&fbclid=IwAR1Y2yu7pmVyiouqILeF5O00TUQXNkrNU6-xbgHAmIVPkLyvXGYFsPPzUJ8

[Members of the Cork City LGBT+ Interagency Steering Group with the Rainbow Intersectionality flag. Photo Jim]

You can also follow the work of the Cork City LGBT Interagency Group on facebook.

We were delighted to welcome Siobhan O’Dowd, Chair of this Interagency Group, to Youghal on Monday 17th, when the County Mayor raised the Rainbow Flag at the Town Hall to mark IDAHOBIT Day, and to receive our Intersectionality Flag which we’ll be proud to fly at Cumann na Daoine.

[Maria, Siobhan and Hayley at Cumann na Daoine. Photo Jim]

Coming back to Pride – Youghal Pride by the Sea will be holding its AGM soon, with a view to celebrating Pride in September. We’d love to have new members on board so watch this space!

This week we also saw two new reports, with LGBT Ireland and BeLonGTo LGBT+ Youth Service launching their 2020 annual reports. Both have some telling figures about the impact of Covid19 on our community, and you can read the reports here:

S_BeLonG-To-2020-Annual-Report-Screen_compressed

S_LGBT-Ireland-Annual-Report-2020_compressed

[these files are compressed for web: if you want a high-res copy please email seedingthecounty@gmail.com]

You can also watch BeLonGTo’s excellent new video tool ‘Dear Ireland’ here:

https://youtu.be/53avF50tiGo

Here in Seeding the County, we have just launched our own Instagram account, be sure to give us a follow to keep up to date with all the happenings and exciting news! Follow this link to our account: https://www.instagram.com/seedingthecountycork/

Congratulations and thanks to two of our Network members for their participation in an online discussion ‘Intersectional identities: How does it feel to be an older member of the LGBTQIA+ community in Ireland’ as part of Age & Opportunity’s Bealtaine festival (see bealtaine.ie). Chaired by Rory O’Neill (Panti), the discussion took its inspiration from a new film commission from Age & Opportunity on the LGBTQIA+ community in Ireland by filmmaker Cathy Dunne, and reflecting on the findings of ‘Visible Lives’ research (GLEN, 2012) which demonstrates the double marginalisation of older LGBTQIA+ people in Ireland. Panellists Daithí Clayton, LGBTQIA+ advocate (and participant in the film), Will Kennedy, lifelong LGBTQIA+ activist and campaigner with campaigner and former academic, Ailbhe Smyth gave a lively event with much to learn from. The video of this event will be made available soon and we will post it here then.

Finally, this is your weekly reminder that our Teatime Zoom Sessions are always there if you need a space to chat, relax and simply be yourself. Simply email myself on mariellecumannadaoine@gmail.com to get your link for the sessions! Teatime Zoom happens every Thursday between 5pm and 6pm.

That’s all from me, have a great weekend,

Stay sane and stay safe,

Marielle

Webinars, Parent Support & IDAHOT Day

These Fridays just keep coming! It’s been a rainy May but the promise of a bright and sunny Summer is still looming just around the corner, or so the optimist inside me would like to think. With the easing of a fair few restrictions, our lives are definitely getting shaken up again and our options for entertainment and activities are slowly getting wider. This coming Monday is IDAHOT Day (International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia) and you are all going to be spoiled for choice if you’re looking for something to be attending.

First off on Monday we have a lunchtime webinar hosted by the UCD School of Nursing Midwifery and Health Systems along with UCD LGBTI Staff Network. The webinar is entitled ‘ Changing Discrimination in Healthcare’ and is happening between 1:00-2:15pm. Registration through here: https://ucd-ie.zoom.us/webinar/register/

Later in the day, the Family Resource Centres (FRC) Western Region LGBT+ Network and LGBT Ireland will be hosting an informative online event called ‘Pathways to Parenthood for the LGBTI+ Community’.  Happening between 7:30-9:30pm, it will provide key information on the legal aspects of pathways to parenthood for the LGBTI+ community.

Registration through here : https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/lgbti-family-rights-legal-pathways-available-to-lgbt-parents-in-ireland-tickets.

Make sure to keep an eye on the Seeding the County facebook pages, as well as our brand new Instagram page @SeedingTheCountyCork, which will be launched on Monday, for a brilliantly colourful visibility campaign with a strong message!

There is just one last Queer Chronicles Session left to go and it’s a special one! We will be screening the documentary ‘Outitude’ and then chatting with director Sonya Mulligan and producer Ger Moane about the film and the making of it. For this very special session we shall be extending the run time of the event to 2 hours, happening between 7:00-9:00pm, 19th May. If you haven’t joined us so far, fear not, it is never too late to drop us an email on seedingthecounty@gmail.com and register your place!

Finally, this is your weekly reminder that our Teatime Zoom Sessions are always there if you need a space to chat, relax and simply be yourself. Drop me an email on mariellecumannadaoine@gmail.com to get your link for the sessions! Queer Chronicles happen every Thursday between 5- 6pm.

That’s all from me, have a great weekend,

Stay sane and stay safe, Marielle

Newsletter and BeLonGTo LGBT+ Youth Survey – take part and read the previous research LGBTI+ Life in Lockdown!

Hello and another happy Friday to you all. The sun has been shining brilliantly over the last week, less so these last few days, but here’s your friendly reminder to take suncream with you on your trips outside and to reapply every few hours. Yours truly may have forgotten to reapply on Saturday and is now nursing a very red face, the Irish sun is not as feeble as it may first appear.

With the country in the process of opening up we have so much to look forward to, I hope the map I shared last week has helped you plan your trips around the county, to give you a little more inspiration, here is a handy list of some attractions that have reopened since this Monday: https://www.corkbeo.ie/news/local-news/amazing-activities-now-open-in-cork

Speaking of things to look forward to, and you may have spotted this on our social media, the Cork County Library and Arts service is going to be launching an LGBTQ+ Book club very soon. So if you were just waiting for an excuse to pick up a book and get chatty about it, send an email to bookclubs@corkcoco.ie to be the first to know when it’s all happening.

Here at Seeding the County we have just completed our third week of Queer Chronicles. Last Wednesday we got to chat to the fabulous academic and author Patrick McDonagh, as well the inspiring duo that is Judith Finlay and Kate Drinane, founders of Queer Culture Ireland. Next week, we are going to get the chance to kick back with some popcorn as we enjoy director Carol O’Keefe’s film ‘The 5th’ centering around the fight of LGBTQ+ activists in New York to be included in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. We will also get to talk to activist Susan O’Brien who will share some of her own experiences with the struggle in New York at the time.

It is not too late to sign up for Queer Chronicles: while we are presenting this course as a series, each session stands alone and we warmly invite you to join us, even if you can only make the one session.

For my last bit of news for the day, it’s our Weekly Tea time Zoom! Following a poll held last week, we have now moved the teatime sessions to Thursdays between 5pm and 6pm! So message me on marielle@cumannnadaoine@gmail.com to get your link for our weekly relaxed social space. Hope to see you there!

Chat to you all in May,

Stay sane and stay safe,

Marielle

LGBTI+ Life in Lockdown youth research

A message from BeLonGTo LGBT+ Youth Service…

Last year, our LGBTI+ Life in Lockdown research revealed that 93% of LGBTI+ young people struggled with anxiety, stress, and depression during lockdown, compared to the 53% of the general youth population.

We are rerunning this research this year to see if anything has changed for LGBTI+ young people and continue to best support their needs at this time.

Can you help us spread the word about our survey ‘LGBTI+ Lives in Lockdown: One Year Later’?

The survey is for LGBTI+ young people between 14-23 and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.

We hope that through the research, we will gain insight into the experiences of LGBTI+ young people during the pandemic and provide them with specific support needs.

Don’t forget our LGBTI+ youth groups are now operating online every week for existing group members, and we have a monthly project for new members to the service. Our Youth Workers are available to talk to  LGBTI+ young person who needs to support over text, phone, or email.

No matter what is going on for LGTBI+ young people – we are here for them.

In Pride

Moninne (she/her): CEO, BeLonG To Youth Services

You can read the 2020 Key Findings report here: LGBTI-Life-in-Lockdown-Key-Findings

Seeding the County Newsletter and LGBT Champions Survey

Dear friends, a very happy and sunny Friday to you all! With the 5km travel limit lifted, I hope you’re all enjoying that beach or forest walk that you’ve been admiring from afar all these months. We are lucky to be living in a county that spans all the way from the west to the east of the country, with beautiful and scenic spots to be found all throughout. If you were humming and hawing about getting out there, take this as a sign and if you can, jump on that bus, train or whatever transport is available and experience the benefits that a little change of scenery may offer.

On our end here at Cumann na Daoine and the Seeding the County project, we have just had our first Queer Chronicles session, where we discussed the rich and unique queer history of Cork County with Orla Egan of the Cork LGBT+ Archive & History Project. If you missed it, don’t worry, we have recorded Orla’s fantastic presentation and will be posting it across our online platforms shortly. In next week’s session we will be welcoming the wonderful Will Kennedy who will be talking to us about the history of HIV/AIDS Activism in Ireland. If you haven’t signed up yet, be sure to do so by emailing on seedingthcounty@gmail.com. Queer Chronicles is happening every Wednesday until the 19th of May between 7:00pm and 8:30pm. It is a great way to engage with our cultural heritage and community at a time when we feel so distant from one another.

If Queer Chronicles has left you wanting to know more about Irish LGBTQ+ history, GCN has recently published an excellent article which pulls a number of gems from the RTÉ archives; from an early interview with David Norris to RTÉ’s trip to Hirschfield, Ireland’s first dedicated LGBTQ+ space. The article is available through this link: https://gcn.ie/reeling-in-the-queers-rte-archives-70s-80s/ and it is sure to keep you entertained and educated.

Don’t forget to join us this afternoon for our Teatime zoom, happening between 4 and 5pm. A space to unwind amongst friends and chat about whatever strikes our fancy. Send me an email on mariellecumannnadaoine@gmail.com to get your zoom link for today’s session.

That’s all from me for another week, I hope you all have a good weekend and an even better week ahead.

Stay sane and stay safe,

Marielle

LGBT Ireland is currently looking at the future of the LGBT Champions Training programme, as part of this they have developed a short questionnaire about the experience of older LGBT+ people engaging with healthcare professionals in Primary Care services. 
 
The questionnaire has been designed in line with the HSE patient experience survey, to allow us review results compared to the general population.
If this is relevant to you, please  complete the survey. 

Queer Chronicles: our shared & oral heritage

It’s here at last! Seeding the County presents Queer Chronicles – a six week journey through our Irish LGBT+ history and activism.

There’s a wealth of LGBT+ history projects running at present, and Queer Chronicles will add to the mix – as we sit here at home, what better stories to hear than our own? With a range of speakers (Patrick McDonagh, Will Kennedy, Susan O’Brien, Orla Egan, Judith Finlay and others…) and screenings of films The Fifth and Outitude, Queer Chronicles invites you to share your own stories, with one session dedicated to how we can archive and preserve our oral histories… and all that memorabilia we’ve been finding in our attics during lockdown.

From the beginnings of the Gay Liberation Movement in Ireland, through  the roots of HIV/AIDS activism, via the efforts of Irish queers in New York to Cork’s own LGBT+ history and the lesbian activism of Dublin and elsewhere – we’ll be painting a picture of our own roots, and inviting you to fill in gaps, reminisce about your own activism, and celebrate our cultural roots.

Participants will be provided with a reading list from activist Susan O’Brien – and invited to add to it!  Along with a resource list from Queer Culture Ireland. The first 15 registered will receive a copy of Queer Republic of Cork, the publication of Cork LGBT+ History Project.

Queer Chronicles starts on Wednesday 14th April and runs for 6 weeks via Zoom. Email seedingthecounty@gmail.com to register, receive the full programme and resource lists – we’re looking forward to hearing from you!

Welcome to the Weekend

Happy Friday once again!

As we near the end of March, I hope you have been enjoying the longer stretches of daylight and the slightly warmer weather that we’ve been having. 2021 may have not gotten off to the start that we anticipated or hoped for, but we keep striding forward with the help of a little virtual friendship and the continuous stream of interesting, online events that have kept us going this last while!

First up this week, we have ‘Outing The Past’ the Irish LGBT History Festival. The festival officially started on Monday, but fear not, there are still a wealth of events to attend as the festival runs till this Sunday, the 28th of March. So join in on a online talk or workshop this weekend, whether ‘Fashion Activism’ is your thing or you want to learn a bit more about the homoerotic art created by Michelangelo in the 1500’s, you’re sure to find something that will draw you in.

Full programme and sign up links available here : www.outingthepast.com/programme2021

If you haven’t had enough of LGBTQ history after that, then let me point you towards Dublin Pride’s newly released video entitled, ‘Remembering Declan Flynn and the Fairview March’. The Fairview Park march, dubbed by the video as Ireland’s Stonewall moment, happened in reaction to the acquittal of the two murderers of Declan Flynn, who having targeted Flynn because he was perceived to be gay, were released from the courts without charge under the ‘homosexual panic’ clause. Coming in at under 6 minutes, the video succinctly discusses one of the pivotal moments in Ireland’s LGBTQ History. Watch the video here : https://youtu.be/X-Uh1UC4U9w

As always, don’t forget to join us this afternoon for our weekly teatime zoom, happening at 4pm. Email me on mariellecumannnadaoine@gmail.com for the zoom link, don’t miss out on fun

Until then, stay sane and stay safe!

Marielle 

Film Opportunity and Library Services for Trans Visibility Day!

Film director Cathy Dunne has sent us this message:

Age and Opportunity LGBTQIA+

Having grown up in an Ireland when sexual acts between consenting males was criminalised and gay and lesbian sexual orientation perceived as symptomatic of mental illness, older LGBTQIA+ people in Ireland and across the world have lived through extraordinary repression as well as long awaited change. Now reaching older age, there are many stories to be told by the LGBTQIA+ community about the social and emotional impact of these experiences. We aim to explore these diverse lives, hear reflections on their identity in 2021 Ireland and learn of their hopes for the future.
 
Director Cathy Dunne and Producer Maggie Ryan have teamed together to create a short uplifting documentary, which will aim to pave a positive pathway and shed light on the older LGBTQIA+ community in Ireland.
 

We are seeking a lesbian/ queer woman or couple to tell us their story on camera. They must be over the age of 50 and preferably entering retirement but not essential. This person is someone who hasn’t been in front of the camera much before, is compassionate, kind and positive. 

 
We promote a safe and respectful space for all our participants. Please note that all participants will have a final sign-off on their individual part of the short film. 
 
We are working in accordance with the government guidelines and our Covid Compliance Officer is happy to answer any questions you may have. 
Anyone interested in involvement or who would like to know more can email or call our Director Cathy Dunne.
T: 0872115057
The film will be screened as part of Age & Opportunity’s Bealtaine Festival in May.

Youghal Library supporting LGBT+ Inclusion!

 

News for the Weekend

Another very happy Friday to everyone! I hope you’ve managed to hold on to your hats, socks and plant pots this week, with the windy spell that we’ve been having, it was definitely a wild one. We are very nearly halfway through March and the prospect of increased freedom is just a few weeks away. Though that may feel like an eternity, let me recommend a few activities to fill your time and keep you happily busy until that time comes when we can leave our well trodden 5km radius.

First up this week, there is a free, online, Art Therapy Taster Class happening on Thursday 18th of March between 7pm and 8:30 pm. There are very few places left so do not hesitate to send an email to hayleycummannnadaoine@gmail.com or text on 0879890336 to book your spot. Do not hold back from unleashing your inner Georgia O’Keefe or Keith Haring and do your bit to mind your mental health in the process, it’s a win-win!

If you’d rather lay back on your couch or are simply aching for the chance to dance then look no further than the collaboration between Mother (LGBT+ club) and St. Patricks Day Festival, a documentary called ‘Queer Space: We will dance again’ ‘The creation brings together leading voices in the LGBTQ+ community and in Irish nightlife for a powerful exploration into the role of queer spaces with tunes provided by the incredible Mother DJs.’ It will be available on Saturday March the 13th 10pm on https://stpatricksday.ie/spftv

As ever, join us this afternoon for our weekly Teatime Zoom happening today at 4pm! Come along and bring your friends for a relaxed hour of easy chats (mostly) and gripping discussions (sometimes). Email me on mariellecumannnadaoine@gmail.com or text on 0879890336 for the zoom link.

That’s all from me for another week, I am looking forward to seeing your lovely faces on Zoom today, after that, have a great weekend, an even better week and talk to you all soon.

Stay sane and stay safe,

Marielle

Report Q&A Next Week! …and other news too

Happy 1st Friday of March to you all, Spring is marching forward with determination! For all you avid country walkers and foragers, we have just started the wild garlic and nettle season, so keep an eye out for these tasty plants, which make excellent additions to salads, soups and stir frys! As with any foraging advice, be sure to identify the plant with care and err on the side of caution if you are not sure about what plant you are picking.

This week in Cumann na Daoine has been a particularly busy one, we have just launched the ‘Seeding the County’ LGBT+ needs assessment report, which is based on all the surveys you filled in at the end of last year. It makes for a fascinating read that gives a snapshot of LGBT+ lives in county Cork. You can read the report here:

COMPLETE_Seeding the County Needs Assessment Report

We have also released a video (available on our facebook page @seedingthecountycork) to explain exactly what we are doing with the ‘Seeding the County’ project; I urge you to grab a cup of something warm, cosy down on your couches and give it a watch.

Finally, I’d like to invite you to join us on Thursday the 11th of March for our Zoom Info and Q&A session. We are hoping the report fills you up with ideas and questions, so bring them to the session and let us talk about them together. Drop an email on seedingthecounty@gmail.com for the zoom link.

Don’t think I’d let you go a week without reminding you about our fantastic Friday Teatime Zoom, happening today at 4pm. I am looking forward to seeing your lovely faces, as we chat about our week over a well deserved cup of tea. Email me on mariellecumannnadaoine@gmail.com for a zoom link.

As ever, stay sane and stay safe,

Marielle

News this Week

Dear all, Friday is upon us once again; We’ve been battered by heavy winds, heavy rain and heavy news this week, but I hope to be able to take your minds off it all for a little while today.

If you need to let off some frustration and want to be productive about it, RTE have introduced a Have Your Say survey, where you can share your feelings about RTE and even request more diverse and inclusive programming. Sick of not feeling adequately represented on the telly, they want to hear it!  Click through here: rte.ie/haveyoursay

If you just want to take your mind off things for a couple of minutes, here’s a short film to watch (2 minutes) for when you just need a little feel-good boost. ‘Hiding Pride’ made by Orla Keaveney, as part of Eden Digital Project, a 10-week short filmmaking course for the LGBTQ+ community in Sheffield, UK. Link through here https://gcn.ie/gcntv/short-film-hiding-pride 

As ever, don’t forget our weekly teatime zoom, happening today at 4pm. A space where you can link in with your LGBT+ fellows and hash out the happenings of the week, personal, national or global! Drop me a message on mariellecumannnadaoine@gmail.com or text on 0879890336 for the zoom link.

One final announcement from myself this week: Seeding The County is launching the needs assessment report based on the surveys you all so kindly filled out last year! Check out the poster below, and join us for both events to show support for the project, as well as to find out how this report can impact your life (for the better!).

Here’s to another week of marching on with the help of each other,

Stay safe and stay sane, Marielle

What’s Happening this Week?

A very happy Friday to everyone, we’ve made it through another week! The days are getting longer, marginally brighter and I’m sure you’ve spotted the first primroses and daffodils poking their heads from the soil. I hope you get to enjoy the small bursts of sun we’re getting; treat yourselves to a leisurely walk or maybe even just a sit outside this week.

For a bit of motivation to get outside this week, I’d like to put a spotlight on a photo competition called Diversity Island. It is being run by ‘Under The Rainbow’, a social enterprise running EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) services and they are looking for your best snaps and your takes on the topic of diversity. They even have a separate prize to give for photos falling under the LGBTQ+ category! Photographers of all skill levels and equipment are welcome, and the cash prizes are not too bad either. Flex your creative muscles this week, the closing date is the 28th of February and the winners will be announced on the 28th of March. For more information on how to take part visit https://www.undertherainbow.ie/news/diversity-island/.

From our end, in Cumman na Daoine, our Friday Teatime Zoom sessions have just got a brand-new look! You can admire its lovely colours below and let it draw you into our virtual living room this afternoon for a relaxed chat or even a whinge, if it’s been that kind of week. Happening between 4 and 5 pm, please don’t hesitate to drop me an email on mariellecumannnadaoine@gmail.com or seedingthecounty@gmail.com – or text 0879890336 – to get the zoom invite link.

That’s all from me for another week, I hope you all enjoy your weekends!

Stay safe and stay sane.

Marielle

LGBT+ Newsletter

Happy Friday, we hope you are warm and safe in this stormy weather! This week there are a wealth of online events, activities, and self-betterment opportunities to get you through and cheer up in this long lockdown period.

Today, Friday the 12th you all have a choice of 3 events to attend:

  • First up, our very own Teatime Zoom on from 4-5pm, a time for relaxed chats and laid back socialising, don’t forget to email me on mariellecumannnadaoine@gmail.com for a zoom link.
  • Secondly, you’ve got the final day of LINC’s health week where you can join their Speed Friending event being held at 7pm on Zoom. (Link to the event available by e-mailing info@linc.ie)
  • Finally, you can attend the virtual launch of the cork-based drag documentary ‘Dragging Up The Past’ also happening at 7pm, free tickets available at https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/dragging-up-the-past-screening and if you can’t wait to get stuck into all things drag and Cork, be sure to check out the Cork Drag Timeline Virtual Art Exhibition, which you can see by visiting https://arts.cit.ie/viewEvent?id=1277.

If you’re looking to skill up this week, look no further than the Outburst Art and Quiplash’s Queer Audio Description Training, happening next Tuesday the 16th, 7pm. ‘Audio description tells, in words, what is happening visually in a performance, TV, film, artworks etc. It was designed by and for blind and visually impaired people, but other disabled and non-disabled audiences also use it.’ Learn how to make your events more accesible, book your spot on https://outburstarts.com/events-projects/queer-audio-description-with-quiplash.

If you’re still stuck for activities after all that, don’t forget to look further afield by checking out GCN’s handy round-up of LGBTQ groups and services in the country: https://gcn.ie/lgbtq-support-services-spaces-lockdown/.

Stay safe and stay sane!

Seeding the CountyII:

LGBT+ Development Project for Co. Cork 2021

Hello everyone, my name is Marielle and I’m your new LGBTQ+ Project Worker. I’m delighted to be joining the Cumann na Daoine team and we have a wealth of projects and events coming your way as part of ‘Seeding the County II’. I will be using this space to keep you all in the loop about this project and any LGBTQ+ news and events, so don’t forget to check in every Friday.

Coming up at the end of this month, we will be launching the Needs Assessment Report based on the survey you all so kindly filled out last year. This report will highlight the needs of the LGBTQ+ community across the county of Cork and act as the starting point for all the work we will be undertaking in 2021. Keep a close eye on this space to keep informed on our launch event!

Other than that, don’t forget to join us with your own cup of tea and a biscuit for our Zoom teatimes every Friday at 4 pm. A chance to have a relaxed chat and link-in with your community, feel free to drop me an e-mail on mariellecummannnadaoine@gmail.com if you don’t already have the zoom link.

LINC Health Week & Gay Project Online Groups

LINC are holding their annual Health Week from 8th – 12th February, with a range of events for wellbeing…and the Gay Project continues to hold a vast range of online groups for you to join!

More info at http://www.linc.ie 

http://www.gayproject.ie

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Increasing Supports

We have been talking about the need for an LGBT+ specific Dementia Cafe…and this event coming up will help us make it happen! If you’re interested in assisting with a county-based LGBT+ Dementia Network, please attend this event and keep in touch.

A dementia cafe is a welcoming, once monthly meeting for anyone who is affected by dementia. People living with dementia, their families and friends, healthcare professionals, and people who are interested in supporting a dementia inclusive community, are all welcome to attend. Dementia cafes are run by local voluntary steering committees, and are always free of charge. The project is managed by Engaging Dementia, commissioned by the National Dementia Office (HSE) and has been funded by Dormant Accounts through the Department of Health Irish Dementia Cafe Network.

SEEDING THE COUNTY II

Watch this space next week when we’ll introduce our new LGBT+ Development Worker and let you know exactly what we’re planning for 2021!

Teatime is Back!

Looking forward to next year already!

Introducing our new look for 2021..designed by the talented Diarmuid O’Halloran. Can’t wait to get started on this again in 2021!

Remember, we’re recruiting a p/t LGBT+ Development Worker, closing date Weds January 5th. Link to job advert here:

https://www.activelink.ie/vacancies/community/78948-cumann-na-daoine-lgbt-community-development-worker-part-time

Looking into 2021…

Our Seeding the County survey closes on Friday December 18th. If you haven’t already, please complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XRYFKPQ and tell your pals! Findings from this survey will help us plan our project for 2021…and talking of which…

We’re Recruiting!

Link to Activelink.ie below image

See https://www.activelink.ie/vacancies/community/78948-cumann-na-daoine-lgbt-community-development-worker-part-time

Watch this space next week for more about the Seeding the County plan for 2021!

Next Friday, 18th December, will be our last teatime Zoom session of the year – do join us if you can, the chat is mighty!

LGBTI+ Life in Lockdown Report

From GCN, NXF and LGBT Ireland

LGBTI+ Community experienced greater hardship due to Lockdown, finds Report from LGBT Ireland, NXF and GCN

LGBT Ireland, together with the National LGBT Federation (NXF) and Gay Community News (GCN) release the LGBTI+ Life in Lockdown Survey Report on Friday 27th November. Amongst other findings, the survey of 1,855 members of the LGBT Community has shown that 62% experienced a decline in their mental health during lockdown, substantially higher than the impacts reported in the general population in recent surveys.

The Covid-19 Pandemic has caused incredible hurt, damage and loss across all aspects of society around the world. There isn’t a single person or community untouched by this dreadful disease. While everyone has felt the impact, some communities are hit worse than others, whether by the virus itself or by its knock-on effects. The LGBTI+ Community already endures the injustice of discrimination and inequality, and the results from this snapshot survey show that the pandemic and lockdown has hit the LGBTI+ community much harder than the general population.

The voices represented in the report highlight the struggles of LGBTI+ people who are additionally marginalised including LGBTI+ migrants, Traveller and Roma, refugees, older, living with a long-term disability, or other intersectional identities. These groups have been the most impacted amongst the LGBTI+ community.

The LGBTI+ community rely on community spaces, social connections, and the ability to take pride in their identities, together. The community has suffered so many different forms of loss throughout this pandemic, and for many it is difficult to see the end in sight.

LGBT Ireland, NXF and GCN are grateful to the people who shared their perspectives on how this global health crisis has affected their physical and mental health, how the sudden social isolation has impacted their lives and relationships and how the situation has further exacerbated existing inequalities. The insights from this research will help to design the support and educational services provided by the vital LGBTI+ groups across the country.

To access the report, please click: LGBTI+ Life in lockdown report

or visit http://www.lgbt.ie

Good News for LGBT+ Plans in 2021!

Cumann na Daoine are delighted to have been granted an award from the LGBT+ Communities Fund rolled out by the Minister of Justice & Equality, Helen McEntee TD, and the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration, Roderic O’Gorman TD.

This means thatw e can build on our Seeding the County p[roject (funded by Cork County Council) into 2021 and bring a greater sense of community and community activity to LGBT+ people across the county of Cork.

Congratulations to all organisations who have received an award – we’re going to see great things in 2021!

An interesting article from GCN in July gives some background on the fund and its links to the National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy

https://gcn.ie/ministers-roderic-ogorman-helen-mcentee-launch-lgbt-community-services-fund/

TRANS DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

Today we honour the memory of all the Trans people whose lives have been lost through violence, despair and discrimination. In the past year alone, 350 murders of Trans people have been recorded. With waves of transphobia moving around the world, including Ireland, now is a time for us all to stand up for Trans people.

Community leaders in Ireland have launched an open letter calling for solidarity for our Trans siblings on this Trans Day of Remembrance: read the article and sign the letter here:

https://gcn.ie/irish-lgbtq-community-stand-irishsolidarit-transphobia-trans-day-remembrance/

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Our mental health needs to be supported in these times – check out this valuable webinar chaired by Dil Wickremasinghe!

Get involved! Research & research planning; Trans Awareness Week…&  article from GCN

Remember our Teatime Sessions run every Friday at 4pm…come along  for a chat!

RESEARCH: SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

LGBT Ireland has been contacted by a researcher in NUIG who is looking for older members of the LGBT+ Community to participate in a study into the exclusion from social relations for men and women in later life

What’s the study about?The aim of this research is to understand why some people can be left out of social relationships and socialising, particularly in later life. We are interested in finding out what the differences are for men and women and we would also like to know if there are specific reasons why people can be excluded from social relationships.

If you would like to participate please contact James (james@lgbt.ie) and he will put you in touch with the lead researcher.

WHAT SHOULD RESEARCH LOOK INTO? NLGF COMMUNITY FORUMS

The National Lesbian & Gay Federation (NLGF)  want Ireland’s LGBT+ community to direct their upcoming research projects! They’re hosting two online workshops to get your ideas.

One on their study of LGBT+ community wellbeing: https://www.eventbrite.com/…/community-involvement-in…

One on their study of public support of our LGBT+ community:

https://www.eventbrite.com/…/community-involvement-in…

Follow the links above for more information.

https://t.co/TuyY6tX493?amp=1

COMING OUT IN A PANDEMIC: ARTICLE FROM GCN

Coming out in college: How COVID has impacted safe spaces

For many young LGBTQ+ people who use their time in college as a way to come out in a safe environment, that option has been affected by the pandemic.

https://gcn.ie/coming-out-college-covid-safe-spaces/?fbclid=IwAR1gSe3Ahecdwayw7hrQ1xbwYkhS9hAqb7afKKyxaVx_4lEabKYioc36xxA

TRANSGENDER AWARENESS WEEK

Transgender Awareness Week is coming up & the Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) have a range of events to help raise awareness and learn more about the challenges facing Trans people See www.teni.ie to register.

Online supports & a message from Panti Bliss!

LGBT+ HEALTH SOUTH TIPPERARY

Our new LGBTI+ parent / guardian information and support group will start on Wednesday 25th of November at 7pm. If you need support or information or would like to register for our online group, please contact us (details below)

“We are family….We are there for each other when needed….We are a big, noisy, colourful, creative, adaptable, resilient queer family!”

Eloquent as always, Panti Bliss shared a message of support and encouragement for the LGBTI+ family at the Gathering Online with ILGA-Europe

https://vimeo.com/470968373

INTERSEX AWARENESS DAY

The #IrelandTurnsPurple campaign, launched by the Intersex Mapping Study at DCU and Intersex Ireland, to raise awareness and show support for the #intersex community in Ireland and worldwide will take place on November 8th mark International Intersex Solidarity Day

This article from Gay Community News (GCN) talks about what the Intersex Mapping Study is, and why we need to show support for the Intersex members of our communities.

https://gcn.ie/irelandturnspurple-campaign-launched-mark-international-intersex-solidarity-day/?fbclid=IwAR2TroL7nwqdYoz-0d0VbUMOMA40c1F4vfUdl4DBRxTZrO8FWow6sJO-nmY

Belong To & Involves LGBTI+ Traveller Advisory Group.

BeLonGTo LGBT+ Youth Services are looking for young LGBTI+ Traveller adults from 14-30 to join our new LGBTI+ Traveller Advisory Group in partnership with @Involve_youth which will kick off on November 9th. If you’re interested in taking part, please contact
john.madden@involve.ie
gillian@belongto.org
directly to express their interest. Recruitment will close on November 6th.

Involve (In Partnership with Travellers) recognises the equality of the Traveller Community by  providing programmes, initiatives and services that promote the participation and inclusion of the  Traveller Community in Irish Society. https://www.involve.ie/

BeLonG To Youth Services  is the national organisation supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,  and intersex (LGBTI+) young people in Ireland. http://www.belongto.org/

LGBT+ Youth Cafes are back!

Teatime Sessions open up to the county

Spirit Day, Zoom Teatimes & LGBT+ Book Club!

Yesterday was Spirit Day – supporting young LGBTO people against homophobia. So if you saw your favourite celebs online wearing purple – this is why !

It all began back in 2010 with a Canadian teenager named Brittany McMillan, who wanted to respond with a day of love and hope to a string of widely publicised bullying-related suicides of gay students. McMillan teamed up with GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) to create the first Spirit Day.

Why purple you ask? The creator of the Rainbow Flag, Gilbert Baker, defines the purple stripe in the flag as ‘representing spirit’. We may not be wearing purple today, but every day we can help combat homophobia and support our young LGBT+ people in living safe, happy lives.

Zoom Teatime Sessions

Here at last! Youghal LGBT+ Network will hold their first Zoom get-together on Friday 23rd October at 4pm. Let’s get together for a chat, to see each other’s faces, and to share any news or stories we have. Just a bit of fun – and we all need a bit of fun at the moment!

If you’d like to take part, email lgbtyoughal@gmail.com and we will send you out a link – looking forward to seeing you all!

LGBT+ Book Club

Youghal Library have offered their support in starting up an LGBT+ Book Club. They also sent on Cork County Library’s LGBT+ list to help us get going! Library services are operating online, so you’ll be able to get hold of books. You can also recommend us a book you’ve enjoyed!

The Book Club can start in the next few weeks, so please email lgbtyoughal@gmail.com to take part – and enjoy looking through the book list below!

International Coming Out Day

October 11th

For time out of mind members of the LGBTQ+ community have had to hide their true identity  in fear for their livelihood and their lives. The constant fear of being rejected by friends and loved ones, as well as the community of which they are a part, has led to many of them remaining in the proverbial closet. This means living a half-life at best, and hiding who you are from those who should be nearest and dearest to you. Coming Out Day challenges this, and encourages LGBTQ people everywhere to stand proud and claim who they are, and thus reclaim their lives and positive self-identity.

Coming Out Day is not just a day that has been designed to help people feel comfortable about coming out about their sexuality. It is also a day that is designed to applaud people for their bravery, as well as help create awareness of the struggles and difficulties those in the LGBTQ+ community experience. Whether your are LGBTQ+ or heterosexual, you can use this day as an opportunity to let people in the LGBTQ community know that you support them and that you are proud of them. It is a day of unity and respect.

History of Coming Out Day

Throughout the world people and cultures everywhere have had LGBTQ+ people in their communities, and in many of them they were openly accepted and embraced as natural, or even sacred people in their cultures. In the last couple hundred years the majority of the world’s leading cultures began to villanise them, growing worse with every passing year.

But in the last few decades that has begun to change: courageous members of the LGBTQ+ community fought and worked to help gain their rightful place in the world, accepted a valuable member of civic life. Really, the battle we fight is for something much simpler: the ability to have a safe life enjoying the same liberty as their more socially accepted neighbours.

Coming Out Day was created by Rob Eichberg and Jean O’Leary as a result of the 500,000 person March on Washington DC for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1998. This vitalising experience lead them to establish this day of note, which encourages all LGBTQ+ people and their allies to stand proud of who they are and to fight for a more equal tomorrow.

BeLonGTo, the national LGBT+ Youth Service,  says their most recent data highlights that coming out is the main challenge LGBTI+ youth face today, with 58% of Dublin users reaching out for support about coming out as LGBTI+ this year.

“Over the past nine months, we have seen 88% spike in demand for our vital services, with LGBTI+ youth presenting with issues relating to coming out (58%), being transgender (18%), and mental health challenges (14%)”. BeLonG To support young people who are questioning their sexual orientation and gender identity. They have created a handy Coming Out Guide for Young People and a Coming Out: A Guide for Parents.

International Coming Out Day is dedicated to highlighting the positive impact, and challenges faced by LGBT + people in coming out around the world.

Coming out can allow individuals to live an open, authentic and fulfilling life as themselves, and reduces some of the stress and anxiety many people feel when they are hiding part of themselves, who they are or who they love. Many LGBTI+ people say that coming out to family and friends feels like lifting a massive weight off their shoulders. Saying that, we also remind LGBTI+ people to consider whether they feel safe coming out and remember that they don’t need to tell anyone until they are ready. Coming out is a choice, not an obligation.

Image from BeLonGTo LGBT+ Youth Services

Flying the flag for

Youghal Pride by the Sea 2020

Today as part of Youghal Pride by the Sea, Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. Mary Linehan-Foley raised the rainbow flag high over Youghal, honouring the LGBT+ people of Youghal and East Cork, and acknowledging the Council’s commitment to LGBT+ equality and inclusion.

Also as part of Youghal Pride, Marian O’Halloran of Youghal Library accepted a donated LGBT+ reference collection into Youghal Library. Marian and her staff were delighted with the new materials and look forward to welcoming readers in to look and read!

Catalogue available here: https://www.cumannnadaoine.com/youghal-librarys-lgbt-reference-collection-catalogue/

Visit facebook @LGBT+ Network Youghal at 6pm Saturday 26th to see our Pride video!

*************************

Youghal Pride by the Sea 2020

This year, unlike any other, we can’t come together but we’ve still some treats in store!

On Friday 25th September at 11.30am, the Mayor of the County of Cork, Councillor Mary Linehan-Foley, will raise the rainbow flag at the Council Offices on The Mall (see invitation below).

Also on Friday 25th September, at 2pm Youghal Library will accept the donation of an LGBT+ Reference Collection: available for viewing from Monday 28th September.

On Saturday a few of us will be making a short Pride Video – froma mystery location! This will be put up on our faceboook page at 4pm.

You’re invited to send us video or sound clips with a message of support, or a message about Pride: you can WhatsApp these to 087 9890336 or email them to hayleycumannnadaoine@gmail.com

Happy Pride – and roll on 2021 on the beach again!

Virtual and Proud: Youghal Pride by the Sea 2020

We had a very cheering lunch at CnD Cafe yesterday, and talked about the upcoming Youghal Pride by the Sea event – see below for how you can take part! We can’t gather this year but we want to make our presence felt online and through that, and by engaging with local businesses, council, organisations and people, help build us up for Youghal Pride 2021 when we trust we’ll be back on the sands in full force.

We also agreed that a more regular Zoom Coffee Date would be a good way of keeping in touch. We want to find out what day/time suits people best, so please let us know!

Youghal Pride by the Sea 2020

By the Community, For the Community

A virtual event! Saturday 26th September

Action times & viewing channels to be announced next week: watch this space!

Coming Soon: New logo/poster launch. We’ve a local designer working on a splendid new design for us!

PROUDLY… Raising of the Rainbow Flag at the Council Offices, the Mall by County Mayor Mary Linehan Foley

Maximum 15 people at this event: please let us know if you wish to attend.

WITH PRIDE…Youghal Library accepts donation of LGBT+ Reference Collection

Library Covid19 restrictions mean this is a closed event: a small number of Network members only

PROUDLY…Saturday 26th: Virtual Parade! Dress up for the event, we’ve signs and flags – get your Pride on!

Maximum 15 people at this event: please let us know if you want to attend.

WITH PRIDE…Saturday 26th: Online event / Live stream music which includes montage of photos/video clips and photos of our flag raising. Details of how & when you can view this will be announced next week.

How you can take part from home:

  1. Video clips: We ask you to make a 30-second video clip ‘supporting Youghal Pride’. Maybe a message of support, maybe you and/or your pets getting ‘parade ready’ – or maybe you’d like to sing a song or play some music – you might even want to be part of the Saturday live stream event!  You can send clips via WhatsApp ( 0879890336) or email them to youghalpride@gmail.com or hayleycumannnadaoine@gmail.com and the clips will be complied for Saturday 26 If you want to be part of the Saturday event, please get in touch re length of video, if you want to live stream, or any other suggestions.
  2. Or if you don’t want to make a video clip, take a photograph!
  3. Send us your photographs of previous Prides: contact details above
  4. Photographs will be taken at our Friday events and posted online, keep an eye on facebook @LGBT+ Network Youghal!

CnD & Youghal LGBT+ Network have other plans afoot for LGBT+ people this autumn – more on this in next week’s post.

You may also want to complete this survey if you haven’t already: from GCN/LGBT Ireland/NXF ‘LGBTI Life in Lockdown’

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JKDY25G

Take care and stay well!  

LGBTI in Lockdown: Research Project 

Take the LGBTI+ Life In Lockdown Survey to help changemakers understand the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on LGBT+ lives in Ireland

How has the lockdown affected your life? Fill out LGBT Ireland’s quick survey and you will be in with a chance to win a pair of Google Pixel Buds Bluetooth earphones worth €195.

https://gcn.ie/lgbti-life-lockdown-survey-ireland/

LGBT Ireland, the national support service for Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, and Intersex people and their families and friends has launched the LGBTI+ Life in Lockdown Snapshot Survey to ascertain how the COVID-19 restrictions have impacted the lives of LGBT+ people in Ireland.
The LGBTI+ Life in Lockdown Snapshot Survey is anonymous and aims to understand how the COVID-19 restrictions have impacted the mental and physical well being of the LGBT+ community.

CEO Paula Fagan said: “COVID-19, and the measures taken to address it, have serious implications for the mental health of LGBTI+ people living in Ireland. Social isolation, economic uncertainty, and increased anxiety all exacerbate the inequalities and discrimination already faced by marginalised people within the LGBTI+ community”

The survey will take about 10 – 15 minutes to complete, and will close on September 30, 2020. All data will be collected in compliance with GDPR, answers will be anonymous and confidential and will not be linked to any other details provided. To thank you, our friends at Dublin Google LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group are offering you a chance to win a pair of Google Pixel Buds Bluetooth earphones worth €195″.

The findings will be shared with politicians, policymakers, and the media to ensure that all respondents from across the country have their voice heard and will be used to inform the future development of LGBT Ireland’s services.

The survey is conducted by LGBT Ireland in collaboration with GCN and NXF

See https://gcn.ie/ for news, features and much much more!

Youghal Network Lunch Date

There’s still time to join LGBT+ Youghal Network members for lunch on Wednesday 9th September at CnD Community Cafe. Please book at hayleycumannnadaoine@gmail.com or on 0879890336 by Monday 7th September – hope to see you there!

LGBT HEALTH RESEARCH

Mapping Parkinson’s Research:

An anonymous Parkinson’s healthcare survey is still open. Emma O’Shea, the researcher, would be delighted to be able to reach people with Parkinson’s (or a Parkinsonian type dementia) who are part of the LGBT community. It will be open at least up until Christmas.

Here is the link to the online version of the survey.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZpV-9F_7SX5bS9-KdGdlDJMaikHnvZ2N9HTdc9ebHU9LtLw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Below is a PDF copy of the survey which can be printed out and completed with pen and paper. 

PD Survey WP3 300720

Another option is for people with Parkinson’s (or a family member/support person) to call our project phone number or email researcher Emma O’Shea directly. She is more than happy to complete the survey over the telephone, or to post out a paper copy of the survey (with a freepost return envelope).

This is a national survey and we want to be
inclusive as possible so that we can get an accurate representation of
the whole population of people living with Parkinson’s in Ireland. The survey is being led by Dr. Suzanne Timmons (Consultant
Geriatrician, Senior Lecturer) in the Centre for Gerontology and
Rehabilitation (UCC) – together with the Parkinson’s Association of
Ireland (PAl) and the National Clinical Programme for Neurology.
Both the PAI and the National Clinical Programme have indicated the need for up-to-date information on the healthcare services and
supports available in relation to Parkinson’s disease – this survey
addresses this. It also asks for respondents’ thoughts on how healthcare services can be improved (e.g. re access, assessment,
diagnosis, management, treatment and multidisciplinary support) for Parkinson’s. The survey is completely voluntary and anonymous – no names, addresses or other information which might make someone directly identifiable
will be collected. It takes roughly 15/20 minutes, and can be completed by a person with Parkinson’s alone – or together with, or
by, a family member/friend.
Researchers say: “Our aim is to reach LGBT+ people who are living with
Parkinson’s disease. We are conscious that LGBT+ people living with Parkinson’s may be
especially vulnerable, and we want to be sure to try as hard as
possible to capture these perspectives within the national survey. This will give us much needed data for future service planning.

There is a project facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mapping.parkinsons.3

And a twitter page: https://twitter.com/ParkinsonsProj1

Researcher: Dr Emma O’ Shea, Postdoctoral Researcher, Centre for Gerontology & Rehabilitation, University College Cork. Tel: 0860354526

  LGBT+ DEMENTIA NETWORK

Cumann na Daoine and LGBT+ Youghal Network are working with a number of partners to provide a support network for LGBT+ people living with dementia.

We are asking groups working with LGBT people to let us know if they have members who might benefit from this: people can take part in any part of the country as the Network will be online for the first period of time. Do get in touch if you think this might help you or your loved one.

Call Hayley on 0879890336 for more information.

TRANS STORIES & SUPPORTS

Gender Recognition & Support

On July 15th 2015, the Irish Government passed the Gender Recognition Act. Gender recognition legislation provides a process enabling trans people to achieve full legal recognition of their preferred gender and allows for the acquisition of a new birth certificate that reflects this change.

The Gender Recognition Act allows all individuals over the age of 18 to self-declare their own gender identity. Young people aged 16-17 can also apply to be legally recognised, though the process is more onerous. A copy of the Act can be found here.

The application process is now open and available on the Department of Social Protection website here.

TENI will continue to advocate for the meaningful inclusion of young, intersex and non-binary people in the Gender Recognition Act.

For more information visit the Transgender Equality Network (TENI) at www.teni.ie TENI also offer peer and family supports across the country.

Gender Rebels Cork is a group based in Cork City which advocates and supports all transgender, non-binary, intersex and gender non-conforming individuals.

Email: genderrebelscork@gmail.com

Website: https://www.facebook.com/genderrebelscork/

LUNA’S STORY

Luna, who is 18, is an only child. Her mother is a single parent. They lived in Poland until Luna was 10. “From my earliest memory, I didn’t understand why I wasn’t allowed wear girl’s clothes. I always wanted to, and I made it very clear to my mum that I wanted to. She was gentle with me, and she didn’t get cross, but I never understood why she wouldn’t let me.”

Until she was seven or eight she told her friends that she wanted to be a girl. It was a time when boys and girls played together at school, and she always played a female in make-believe games. “I expressed myself and I made it clear. I didn’t, at the time, understand the notion of someone not being accepted because of their gender or who they liked. Speaking it now, I understand that I wanted to be heard.” But she stopped saying it when she realised how socially unacceptable it was. The bullying began when she started fifth class in Ireland, with barely a word of English. “I never looked masculine. I had soft features and long hair and was very often mistaken for a girl. I tried to blame my difference on the fact that I was gay, so I came out. I was so feminine and everyone knew, so I didn’t have to confirm it.”

Living in New Ross, Co Wexford, there were few sources of support. Luna is particularly feminine, and her true gender was breaking through. “It happened gradually and subconsciously. Puberty wasn’t too harsh on me, and my body was androgynous all along, so I didn’t fully realise. I knew the hardship and consequences of social transition. “But it eventually reached a point where I knew I had to transition. I started make-up at 15. By 16 I refused to shop in the male section any more. Then I felt I needed to go on hormones, and that is when I finally understood that I am a woman.” In sixth year Luna spoke to a school counsellor. She was already wearing feminine clothes and had long hair. Luna says that, although the school was supportive, name and pronoun changes would have been awkward. She was prepared to wait five months – until the end of school – to fully transition socially. There was a lot of staring, isolation and distance from other students. Her mother didn’t really understand at first, but she has become a huge support, and the two women have grown closer. Luna is now a first-year student at Dublin City University, studying international relations. She’s charismatic, extremely mature and intelligent, and, by her own admission, a little intense. Luna was, initially, the only young trans person willing to be identified and photographed for this series. A week after being interviewed, Daniel approached us with a willingness to be photographed, saying that, although he understands why trans people are often unwilling to go public, he is now ready to put himself forward. Luna says that she wants to change society. “I know that there will be people who mock me and who are oblivious to what I say, but, for all that, there will be at least one person who will find me helpful. It’s that one person who I want to help.”

source: Irish Times, 11/4/15

Photograph: Dave Meehan

Jamie’s Story

Jamie O Herlihy is an Irish trans woman who has documented elements of her transition on this vlog:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI4cn5KMLi9DH5lBdUd7LPw

Her experiences reflect many of the challenges faced by trans people in Ireland today.

Negative Experiences with National Gender Service

Noah Halpin, founder of This Is Me – Trans Healthcare Campaign, shared his experience on social media, with others soon doing the same.

GCN News 28/07/20

Written by Peter Dunne

Following a recent report that the National Gender Service now insists adult patients’ parents be present at assessments, trans people in Ireland have been sharing on social media their own experiences of the service.

Noah Halpin of This Is Me – Trans Healthcare Campaign shared a Tweet which read, “I never ever wanted to talk about this. I still don’t. But it’s important. It’s important for you all to know what we go through.” The Twitter thread continued to describe how he was referred to the National Gender Service at Loughlinstown Hospital, finally getting an appointment 2.5 years later. Halpin went on to describe his first psychiatric appointment as “horrific”.

“It was over three hours long with an eight minute break in between and it was odd. The first half, he sat in front of me with a psychiatric nurse sitting to the side of me. The second half, he sat in front of me and had the nurse sit behind me, where I couldn’t see her. Both were writing notes as I spoke. I was asked plenty of pretty normal questions. Then it got highly intrusive, hyper sexualised and to be blunt, voyeuristic.

“I was asked how I ‘pick up men? Is it on hook-up apps or in bars?’ I was asked that when I have sex ‘how does the mechanics of that play out?’

The questions became more graphic until Halpin asked, “what any of this line of questioning is connected to my gender identity? I was told that these were the questions I needed to answer to be accurately assessed.”

The Tweets continued that the questions “moved on to my relationship with my parents. Then any past emotional, physical, sexual abuse. About my parents relationship and my life from birth to now. As if ANY of this made me trans. I’m lucky that I’m thick skinned. Most aren’t.”

Trans people throughout Ireland then shared their own stories. All discussed the inappropriate questions involved in the assessment, the level of intrusion and the impact it had on them.

One person shared, “Pay attention to what trans people are saying re: the National Gender Service. If cis people were subjected to this treatment it would have been a national scandal.”

COMING OUT – WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Coming Out is the term used by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people to describe their experience of discovery, self-acceptance, openness and honesty about their LGBT identity and their decision to disclose, i.e. to share this with others when and how they choose. While coming out can be a challenging time most people get a positive and supportive response from family and friends and feel happy that they made the decision to come out. You can read more online about coming out by clicking on the links on the right hand side of this page or you can download one of the useful documents listed.

People come out at all ages and in different ways. We can be out to a few people in our lives, everybody in our lives or somewhere in-between. Throughout our lives who we are out to may change depending on our circumstances. The families of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people often feel that they too must come out and this can cause stress and worry. If you are a family member of a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender person and you feel you need support, please see our section on families.

People in straight presenting relationships may also come out as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. This can be a very difficult and confusing time for them and they may have concerns about the impact this can have on their spouse/partner and/or children. LGBT Ireland helpline volunteers are trained to listen and provide support to people dealing with this situation.

Stages of Coming Out

  • Stage 1 Discovery – this is where you start to question if you might be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender because of feelings you’re having.
  • Stage 2 Acceptance – this is when you start to accept that you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Telling the first person is a sign of acceptance.
  • Stage 3 Integration – this is when you begin to get comfortable expressing your lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender identity and living your life accordingly.

Everyone’s experience of discovering their LGBT identity is different as is their experience of the stages of coming out. It is normal to experience feelings of anxiety and worry especially in relation to how people might react when you tell them.  Having someone to talk to and getting emotional support can help you deal with the stresses of coming out. Most people tell a friend before telling their family but some people call a helpline or a professional like their GP before telling friends and family. Most people feel a weight is lifted off their shoulders after they come out and feel relieved.

Whoever you are or whatever your circumstances, coming out can be both challenging and rewarding. Research has shown that regardless of how well the experience of coming out goes for people, the period prior to coming out can be a time of significant stress. But research also shows that despite the stress and worry people can experience before telling someone for the first time, most people say that telling people went well for them and that they are happier after coming out to family, friends and colleagues. What seems to make a difference is having support from someone who you feel you can confide in – whether it’s a trusted friend or family member, a helpline volunteer or a professional.

There is a lot of support available across Ireland for people who are coming out. You can see what is available in your area by looking by clicking on the map or you will find a list of support organisations here. If you’d like to speak to someone about coming out you can call LGBT Ireland’s helpline on 1890 929 539 and speak to one of our volunteers in confidence.

Heart To Heart – Our Coming Out video

https://youtu.be/tzQrg0DR5So

FOR HELP AND SUPPORT, VISIT 

https://lgbt.ie/get-information/coming-out/

And a little Diana Ross for you…’I’m Coming Out’

https://youtu.be/zbYcte4ZEgQ

PARENTAL RIGHTS FOR LGBT+ FAMILIES IMPROVED

https://gcn.ie/irish-lgbt-families-rights-legally-recognised/

SUPPORT FOR LGBT+ COMMUNTIIES

https://gcn.ie/ministers-roderic-ogorman-helen-mcentee-launch-lgbt-community-services-fund/

LGBT+ Youth Supports

The past few months have been a difficult time for LGBTI+ young people, with 93% telling BeLonG To they have experienced stress, anxiety and depression during lockdown.

In order to respond to the needs of this vulnerable group, BeLonG To rapidly moved their specialised support services online, offering one-to-one support over text, phone and email. Additionally, they moved their Youth Groups online and invited existing members to join via Zoom.

“Today I am pleased to let you know that from this week BeLonG To are opening a new online service and reopening their frontline services.

 New Virtual LGBTI+ Youth Group

On Monday July 20th, we will launch our first online group for new LGBTI+ young people between 14 and 23. The group will run for 4-weeks and take place every Monday from 3-4pm. Join our friendly Youth Workers to meet other LGBTI+ young people, for an introduction to BeLonG To, Pride history and fun and games. Sign up here https://belongtoyouthservices.cmail19.com/t/i-l-xkljjud-jjdhddklii-r/. to join the group. Help us spread the word and let LGBTI+ young people in your life know about this new service.

Reopening of Frontline Service

Our Youth Workers are now facilitating weekly face-to-face peer support groups at our HQ in Dublin. These groups are open by invitation to LGBTI+ youth who are not out at home and cannot access online services. We have undertaken a number of measures to limit the risk of Covid-19, to staff and young people and feel safe and supported to open up limited frontline services again.

Our digital support services and digital youth groups will continue to run online, over phone and email. We are dedicated to supporting LGBTI+ young people during this time and will keep you updated.”

In Pride

Moninne (she/her): CEO, BeLonG To Youth Services

Youghal Pride by the Sea 2020

Youghal Pride by the Sea will be a smaller but entirely beautiful event this year: a beach picnic with music (bring your own picnic!) on Sunday September 20th, 4-6pm on The Strand. We will have some music but this event is primarily to bring us together (while socially distancing on the beach) and to celebrate in good company. More details soon! 

TENI appoint new CEO

On Saturday evening as part of our Gender Recognition 5 Years on programme, TENI was delighted to announce the appointment of Éirénne Carroll as our new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Éirénne will join the TENI team in coming months. 

Éirénne comes to TENI with an extensive history in launching and leading non-profit initiatives across the globe. She has worked in Kolkata, India creating a homeless to housed and educated program. In Pokhara, Nepal she has worked with leading a drug rehabilitation centre for homeless children. In the United States she has worked on refugee resettlement teams, with at-risk youth and in education and marketing development of schools. 

Most importantly she has worked on LGBTQ+ advocacy projects and transgender equality programming. She was foundational to starting The Trans Love Project, an organisation that exists to spread funds to smaller, underfunded trans non-profits in the US that support advocacy and youth programming. 

She has also worked on journalism articles combating state level anti-trans legislation that have been published in the Huffington Post, The Durham Herald Sun, and the Denton Record Chronicle. These pieces dismantled anti-trans tropes and stereotypes and helped grassroots organisations overturn or stop the passing of bathroom laws, and restrictions to medical care. In her former work she also was responsible for running multiple philanthropic events that would host up to 60,000 people to celebrate Pride and raise funding for LGBT Centres in her state. 

All in all, Éirénne is bringing a tenacity to TENI that she sees continuing to expand the educational work of the organisation which will enhance advocacy, and build strong collaborations with other organisations in Ireland and across the world.

Commenting on the appointment, TENI Chair Sara R Phillips said, “After a comprehensive and intensive hiring process, we are delighted to announce Éirénne’s appointment as the next Chief Executive Officer of TENI. Éirénne brings a new vibrancy to the TENI team, with extensive knowledge in running not for profit programmes throughout the world and central to community organisation in North Carolina. She will be a great addition to our already strong team. The Board look forward to supporting Éirénne and the TENI team in implementing our 3-year strategic plan and creating an Ireland where all people, regardless of their gender identity or expression can enjoy full acceptance, equality and human rights.”

Éirénne commenting on her appointment said, “I am humbled and ecstatic to be joining the work of TENI. From their staff to board they have been passionate leaders across Ireland and have been fundamental in creating a progressive Ireland that is a world leader in transgender rights and equality. However, that doesn’t mean the work is over. I look forward to working on broader education initiatives that will protect and aid transgender children and transgender employees. I am also passionate about pushing forward full recognition for our non-binary and intersex friends, family and colleagues. I envision achieving the long-term goal of an Ireland where transgender people are not just accepted but are thriving, welcomed and supported in every single way. I believe and am ready to get to work for creating an Ireland that will be an international beacon of what true inclusion of diversity looks like.”

TENI (Transgender Equality Network Ireland):
TENI is a non-profit organisation supporting the trans community in Ireland. Our vision is a world where all people, regardless of gender identity or expression, enjoy full acceptance, equality and human rights. Through support, education, advocacy and community development, TENI seeks to advance the rights and equality, and improve the lives of trans people and their families.

Contact:
Sara R Phillips, TENI Chair
E mail: sara@teni.ie

LGBT & Dementia

Starting conversations about the experience of LGBT people with dementia: and exploring ways that the specific needs and challenges faced by LGBT people with dementia can be better supported.

Here is some reading material – so our conversations can be more informed.

lgbt dementia care

Over-the-Rainbow-LGBTDementia-Report

Reporting Hate Crime

No-one should have to undergo homophobic or racist abuse. If this happens to you, there are supports available and if you can, please report it to the Gardai. The more we report hate crime, the more evidence we have to enact Hate Crime legislation!

You can get information here: https://lgbt.ie/get-information/harassment-and-violence/

and details on how to report are here:

 https://www.garda.ie/en/Crime/Hate-crime/

“Always report any incident you perceive as motivated by hate to An Garda Síochána.   

In an emergency you must call 999.

You will be attended to by a Garda who will record your statement.

He/She will commence an investigation, by gathering evidence – taking statements from victim(s) and witnesses, and apprehending the accused.

There are two hundred Ethnic Liaison Gardaí appointed, who are trained to deal with such type of crime and will assist you in the course of the investigation, if you so wish.  You can request the services of your local appointed Garda Ethnic Liaison Officer(s) at any stage of the investigation – (Please refer to Garda Website for their contact details).

Should you not wish to attend your local Garda station, you can seek the services of the Garda National Diversity & Integration Unit (Phone: 01 6663150 or email: diversity@garda.ie), who will deal with the report in a most sensitised manner.

You will be kept informed of developments throughout the investigation.

You will be offered a choice to be referred to victim support. 

Should you require further information about hate crime, please contact the staff at the Garda National Diversity & Integration Unit (01 6663150 or diversity@garda.ie) – who will deal with any query on this”

Pride Actions

LGBT+ Youth 

Cumann na Daoine’s LGBT+ Youth Cafe’s Great Big Creative Project had to be postponed due to Covid19. We’re looking forward to bringing this back to life in September – if you know of young people who would like to be involved, please contact Hayley on 0879890336 or at hayleycumannnadaoine@gmail.com and we’ll keep you posted!

In other local news, we’re looking at celebrating Youghal Pride by the Sea with a small beach event in September.It will be chance for us to see each other again and we’re already looking at making Youghal Pride by the Sea 2021 bigger and better than ever!

We’re asking you to send us short video clips of yourselves, letting us know why Pride is important to you. Thanks to those who’ve submitted them already – and looking forward t0 getting more! They can be sent either by email to hayleycumannnadaoine@gmail.com or via WhatsApp to 0879890336.

A Message from BeLonGTo LGBT Youth Services:

This time last year, we were gathering rainbow flags and brightly coloured t-shirts, preparing to bring some 500 LGBTI+ young people from across Ireland together to march in Dublin Pride together with Youth Work Ireland. For many of those young people, this would be the first time they witnessed the powerful support of allies and the magical connection of community.

Pride may look very different this year, but that does not mean we can’t come together as a community.

Working with Youth Work Ireland, we are #BringingPrideHome for over 500 LGBTI+ young people across Ireland. A campaign like this would not be possible without our amazing supporters – and thanks to the artist Aodh Quigley for designing the beautiful graphic you can see below. 

We have created an incredible Pride Self Care Pack so young people can mark Pride 2020 at home and know that around Ireland, their LGBTI+ friends will be wearing the same t-shirt, masks and badges from their homes.

Each pack contains a t-shirt with a once-off design by artist Timur Aldemir, from Creatives Against COVID-19, rainbow facemasks, badges, some sweet treats, a Dublin Pride Booklet and a guide about minding your mental health.

This sends a powerful messaging letting LGBTI+ youth know that they are not alone. However you mark Pride this year, know that we are there for you. We are in this together.

This is a Pride month like no other and one we certainly will not forget. While we can’t march together this year, we have been working hard to ensure that LGBTI+ youth feel the spirit of Pride and a sense of community.

 

How?

 

#BringingPrideHome to over 500 LGBTI+ young people nationwide with Youth Work Ireland by delivering Pride Self-Care Packs.

 

Hosting Pride pizza parties by delivering pizza to our members so we could share food and good times during our virtual Youth Groups.

 

Laughing a lot during our virtual Pride makeup tutorial for LGBTI+ youth which we ran alongside EPIC.

 

Delivering online training to professionals letting them know how to be an allyto the LGBTI+ community not just during Pride, but everyday.

 

Reinventing how kids learn the colours of the rainbow through this educational animation Remember the Rainbow created with In The Company of Huskies.

In Pride, BeLonGTo

A Message from TENI

(Transgender Equality Network Ireland)

Pride will be very different this year, but we’re still celebrating. Here’s what we’re up to!

Super Women Project

TENI, with the help of the Social Innovation Fund Ireland, is proud to introduce our Super Women – Empowering Trans Women into the Workplace project!

This programme will help trans women and trans feminine people to overcome barriers that prevent them from accessing work or reaching their full potential in employment. Through personal and professional development, mentoring and linking in with employers, our Super Women project will help to address both internal and external barriers to accessing work.

If you’re interested in taking part in the programme, which will be delivered in a series of online modules, please fill out this short survey!

If you have any questions about the Super Women programme, please contact office@teni.ie

Family Support Groups

TransParenCI and Transformers support groups are running as normal. All meetings are currently taking place on Zoom. For more information please contact hannah@teni.ie or office@teni.ie

Peer Support Groups

Peer support groups are running as normal. For more information please email keeva@teni.ie or office@teni.ie.

LITURGÍA | CHRIS HINOJOSA

25th June – 18th July 2020 | A4 Sounds Gallery

Chris Hinojosa (Mija Hinojosa) is the recipient of our artist in residence award in partnership with Create: National Development Agency for Collaborative Arts, TENI and consulting artists Gender.RIP.
Liturgía invites audiences to partake in dialogues around trans identities, trauma, and insists in performance as a method for centering, archiving and transmitting repressed histories.
No booking required!
This event will also be live streamed on Youtube, Facebook and Instagram.
Liturgía is kindly supported by Arts Council Ireland’s Art Grant Funding 2020.
You can find out more information about A4 Sound’s Artist in Residence programme here.

Pride Guides & Rebel Dykes

https://dublinpride.ie/pride-guide/

Clonmel & Tipperary Pride

Global Pride 2020

ttps://www.facebook.com/events/1541515102674768/

Rebel Dykes Films

Mental Health Webinar from Under the Rainbow

LGBT+ Men’s Mental Health Workshop (women are welcome to attend too but focus will be on rural LGBT+ men.
It will be held on Monday, June 22nd@ 12.30pm. 
Find link below.

LGBT Ireland & Youghal’s Own Pride Plans 

LGBT IRELAND PRIDE EVENT

LGBT Ireland are extremely excited to be hosting an inclusive healthcare online event with the Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation. The event poster is below so you can see what’s on the agenda, and the registration link is below too – this event is open to everyone, and you can drop in and out for the sessions which interest you. 

Register here 

https://inmoprofessional.ie/Course/Offering/2087 

PICTURES FOR PRIDE

Secondly, the HSE Choir have agreed to create two online videos for LGBT Ireland and the LGBT Champions programme during the event breaks, which we will incorporate into future delivery of the LGBT Champions Training Programme – we’ve seen some samples of their work and it is really lovely – the vocals are all recorded remotely and knitted together by an editing wizard, with a montage of photos from LGBT Ireland’s work and the Champions Network

LGBT INMO PPRIDE EVENT

Youghal Pride Video

Delighted to have received our first video for Youghal Pride by the Sea 2020! Please send your 10 second clip by WhatsApp to 0879890336 or by email to 

hayleycumannnadaoine@gmail.com

Today: Future Plans and Past History

Youghal Pride by the Sea: Online Plans!

It’s Pride month, and though we can’t start planning Youghal Pride by the Sea yet this year, let’s make something that shows our Pride and that we can share online!

The Roots of Pride

The Stonewall riots (also referred to as the Stonewall uprising or the Stonewall rebellion) were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations by members of the gay (LGBT) community in response to a police raid and ongoing police intimidation that began in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in the Greenwich Village area of New York city.  Patrons of the Stonewall, other Village lesbian and gay bars, and neighbourhood street people fought back when the police became violent. The riots are widely considered to constitute one of the most important events leading to the gay liberation movement. Here are some links about Sylvia Ray Rivera, trans activist who was active in that rebellion.

https://www.biography.com/activist/sylvia-rivera

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/23/i-have-to-go-off-activist-sylvia-rivera-on-choosing-to-riot-at-stonewall

https://gcn.ie/johnson-rivera-monument-new-york/

Want to learn more about your LGBT his/herstories?

Look out for Cumann na Daoine’s LGBT+ History Course later this year!

Older LGBT Voices

Supporting older LGBT+ people is an important part of Cumann na Daoine’s work, and in the coming months we’ll be conducting a piece of research into the needs of our older community members in the East Cork area, to tie into work being conducted in other parts of the country.

An Open Letter received from Dr. Francesca Farina of the Global Brain Health Institute in Dublin is a wonderful roadmap for how LGBT+ seniors in Ireland can achieve
the support needed to age well, safely and with dignity. We need to look at ways we can advocate for the implementation of these actions.

HRB Older Research

Something for the weekend…

Just a reminder – do get in touch if you’d like to take part in a Zoom Coffee Morning, you can contact Hayley on 0879890336 or at hayleycumannnadaoine@gmail.com.

As well as this, we’re planning an LGBT+ History course for the autumn – some online sessions coupled with social distanced activities. It’s exciting to be looking forward, and this course will be lots of fun!

For this weekend, here are two films:

Another Country While it’s a little hard to follow the arcane hierarchies of 1930’s British public schools, this story of Burgess and Maclean (the Cambridge spies)  holds up well and has the lovely Rupert Everett in the lead role.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6uewhx

And a timeless classic…

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe

“…amongst the gentle flow of its Sapphic currents, the film is a tribute to enduring sisterhood”.

https://youtu.be/f0FTGR2K-7M

And for the dancing…a playlist from the beautiful Sylvester 

https://youtu.be/HFkUMhq_j_Y

Ways to get together while staying apart

We’d like to start up some Zoom Coffee Mornings / Afternoons, and I’d love to know how many of ye would be interested in taking part? We’re also hoping to provide IT training for anyone who needs it. Do you have other ideas of how we can meet as a community while social distancing is in place?

We are also looking at Youghal Pride by the Sea 2020 and how we can make that happen within social distancing guidelines. Many Prides in the country are creating ‘virtual events’ and that’s certainly a possibility…would you be interested in helping make this happen? Youghal Pride by the Sea has joined the International Pride Network so there will be help, promotion and support on hand!

Please get in touch with Hayley at hayleycumannnadaoine@gmail.com or on 0879890336 to say what you’d like to be involved in, and what you’d like to see happen for the LGBT+ community in Youghal and East Cork/West Waterford over the coming months.

BeLonG To Youth Services: LGBTI+ Life in Lockdown

We want to really understand what life is like for LGBTI+ youth in lockdown so we can best support their needs at this time. The survey is for LGBTI+ young people between 14-23 and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. We hope that through the survey we will gain an insight into the experiences of LGBTI+ youth during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in turn provide them with support services to match their needs.

https://www.activelink.ie/community-exchange/services-requests/75594

Happy Anniversary – 5 years since Marriage Equality

The Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Act 2015 amended the Constitution of Ireland to permit marriage to be contracted by two persons without distinction as to their sex.  Prior to the enactment, the Constitution was assumed to contain an implicit prohibition on same-sex marriage in the Republic of Ireland It was approved at a referendum on 22 May 2015 by 62% of voters on a turnout of 61%. This was the first time that a state legalised same-sex marriage through a popular vote. Two legal challenges regarding the conduct of the referendum were dismissed on 30 July by the Court of Appeal, and the bill was signed into law by the President of Ireland on 29 August An amendment to the Marriage Act 2015 provided for marriages permitted by the new constititional status. The act came into force on 16 November 2015; the first same-sex marriage ceremony was held on 17 November 2015

With an amazingly high turn out of voters, including people young and old returning to the country to vote, a resounding Yes came from all constituencies except one. This Amendment did away with the previous Civil Partnership scheme and opened the way to the completion of Guardianship Rights for Same Sex Families.

The Yes Equality campaign brought communities together, with door-to-door canvassing creating great positivity and inspiring the huge turnout.  

MAY 17TH: IDAHOT DAY 2020

Three items:

  1. Events around the world https://may17.org/events-announced-on-all-continents-for-may-17-idahotb-idahobit-2020/

2. INTO teachers IDAHOT Day competition for students https://www.into.ie/about/our-structure/associated-groups/into-lgbt-teachers-group/dfsl-competition/

3. History of IDAHOT Day:

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is observed on May 17 and aims to coordinate international events that raise awareness of LGBT rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBT rights work worldwide. By 2016, the commemorations had taken place in 132 countries across the globe.[The founders of the International Day Against Homophobia, as it was originally known, established the IDAHO Committee to coordinate grassroots  actions in different countries, to promote the day and to lobby for official recognition on May 17. That date was chosen to commemorate the decision to remove homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases  of the World Health organisation (WHO) in 1990.For a long time in Germany, May 17 had been unofficially labelled as a “Gay Day.” Written in the date format 17.5., it had a natural affinity with Paragraph 175  of the Penal Code,  the rule dealing with homosexuality (homosexuals were called “one hundred seventy-fivers”).

The day, as a concept, was conceived in 2004. A year-long campaign culminated in the first International Day Against Homophobia on May 17, 2005. 24,000 individuals as well as organizations such as the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), the World Congress of LGBT Jews  and the Coalition of African Lesbians  signed an appeal to support the “IDAHO initiative”. Activities for the day took place in many countries, including the first LGBT events ever to take place in the Congo, China, and Bulgaria.

In 2009, transphobia  was added to the name of the campaign, and activities that year focused primarily on transphobia (violence and discrimination against transgender  people). A new petition was launched in cooperation with LGBT organisations in 2009, and it was supported by more than 300 NGOs from 75 countries, as well as three Nobel Prize winners (Elfriede Jelinek, Francois Barre-Sinoussi and Luc Monatgnier) On the eve of May 17, 2009, France became the first country in the world to officially remove transgender issues from its list of mental illnesses.

The main purpose of the May 17 mobilisations is to raise awareness of violence, discrimination, and repression of LGBT communities worldwide, which in turn provides an opportunity to take action and engage in dialogue with the media, policymakers, public opinion, and wider civil society.

One of the stated goals of May 17 is to create an event that can be visible at a global level without needing to conform to a specific type of action. This decentralised approach is needed due to the diversity of social, religious, cultural, and political contexts in which rights violations occur.

If you can take an action this Sunday, May 17th – maybe fly a flag in your window, make a post on social media – we’d love to see a photo! You can share it to our pages @cumannnadaoine and/or @LGBT Youghal Network on facebook!

Gay Community News:

a great resource


GCN (Gay Community News) has been supported the LGBTQI+ community of Ireland for over 30 years, and in the current times is continuing to deliver all sorts of online supports, groups, watch parties and more…check them out on facebook or on their main site at 

https://gcn.ie/#

Here’s a few tasters of what’s on offer.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1066780020346305/

https://gcn.ie/lgbt-support-groups-around-ireland-still-operating/

Also – if you haven’t already – check out Panti Bliss  – Panti is a firm supporter of our wide community (you may remember her Noble Call during the marriage referendum) and she’s has been making some fantastic videos and posts…check her out here

https://www.facebook.com/panti/

And we may not be able to disco at the moment – so let’s dance around the house!

https://youtu.be/foYeNcarJkY

Wishing you all a happy May Day…

Becka playing flugelhorn over the Calder Valley, West Yorkshire (near the home of Anne Lister…)
Video by Mel Fox. For more of Becka’s brass, find her on facebook @phatbrass trumpet

1574aed0-7ab1-4b14-bf2e-4907e75a6439

BeLonGTo LGBT Youth Services:

Youth groups now online!

BeLonGTo’s Youth Work Team are working tirelessly – offering one-to-one sessions over phone, email and text for LGBTI+ young people who are facing increased levels of anxiety and stress

I am pleased to let you know that we are now offering another support service and moving our Youth Groups online.

These groups offer a space for LGBTI+ young people to connect with their peers, have some fun, feel a sense of community and get the support they need from our expert Youth Workers. The groups will take place every week and offer LGBTI+ young people a welcome break from COVID-19. 

The online groups are open to any LGBTI+ young people between 13 and 24 years who have been accessing our groups. Please help us spread the word. Thank you for all of your support, which allows us to continue our work helping LGBTI+ young people stay alive and thrive.

Stay safe, Moninne (she/her), CEO, BeLonGTo

Statement from Dublin Pride

I hope you are all keeping well. Unfortunately due to the ongoing Covid 19 crisis it is now clear that it will not be possible to hold our annual Pride Parade and March. Please see below our official statement. Over the coming weeks we’ll be confirming details for our new Digital Dublin Pride Festival.

Statement –  Wednesday 29/04/2020

It is with great regret that Dublin LGBTQ Pride has decided to cancel our annual Pride Parade for 2020. Although we had initially postponed the Parade until September, we feel the scale of one of the largest events in the country would place unnecessary pressure on essential frontline services and resources that will have been at full stretch for many months. When we chose “In This Together” as our theme for 2020, we knew it was not just a phrase, but a responsibility. A responsibility to act in the best interests of all our communities, to react to changing circumstances and to support our frontline workers.

Dublin Pride is the largest fundraising event of the year for many LGBTI+ community organisations and charities in Ireland. Even though we won’t be together on O’Connell Street we know that won’t stop us all coming together to support our community and the vital services they provide, often to our most vulnerable members…So, we’re still going to see you in June, and you’ll definitely see us, as we host the first Digital Dublin Pride Festival with a fully interactive virtual Pride Parade and a Pride Concert. Buildings will still light up for Pride, flags will be flying high across the city and our community will still be there to support each other. Pride isn’t cancelled, we’re just bringing it home. 

Visit dublinpride.ie to find out more about our Digital Pride Festival and the ways you can continue to support your LGBTI+ community and organisations.

***********

Some ways to connect…and info on FLAC legislation

Happy Lesbian Visibility Week!

LINC Newsletter

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmailchi.mp%2F11df6a1a070e%2Flinc-newsletter-22nd-april-2722296%3Fe%3D960e28b330&h=AT0lnqUjMf7P5R5xjjSuEyBid5GwA3ddxVPvrYGXC4CskC78AaqRs-gOBbSYCxO6iG5K16YteDstc7IB-yvwtINQLMKehWmTbQwtD6NdjR0z7GEC-Pb-7b_4vfGr&s=1

IN AND OUT: AN EVENING OF LIVE MUSIC

https://www.facebook.com/events/2556882721218073/?ti=icl

LGBT Ireland and FLAC providing support for families in lead up to commencement of parts 2 & 3 of the CFRA

from http://www.gcn.ie

Acts 2 and 3 of the CFRA commence on May 4, which will be the first time the Irish state will recognise same-sex couples as parents on birth certificates.

Parts 2 & 3 of the Child and Family Relationships Act (CFRA) 2015 will commence on May 4 2020. It will allow certain same-sex female parents to be legally recognised as co-parents of their children.

There are two different scenarios covered depending on the date of conception:

For a child conceived after the 4th May 2020:

The Donor Assisted Human Reproduction (DAHR) procedure must have been undertaken in a DAHR facility in Ireland using a traceable sperm donor. Both parents can be registered in these cases through the Registrar as normal with the provision of a certificate from the clinic

For a child conceived prior to the 4th May 2020:

The DAHR procedure may have been undertaken in a DAHR facility in Ireland OR abroad using an anonymous OR traceable sperm donor. However, in these cases a Declaration of Parentage is required from Court, to enable both parents to be registered on the child’s birth certificate at re-registration.

The legalities of this are complex and to help families understand the intricacies, LGBT Ireland and FLAC have collaborated to create a FAQ sheet.

LGBT Ireland and FLAC’s FAQ sheet answers everything from procedures on donor gametes in storage, to applying for declaration of parentage.

The full FAQ can be found on LGBT Ireland’s website along with a recording of their online information briefing.

Families are urged to contact their solicitor for advice on specific cases.

Speaking about the commencement of Parts 2 & 3 of the CFRA, CEO of LGBT Ireland Paula Fagan told GCN that while it is a positive step, it is “deeply problematic in the sense that it’s very, very prescribed.

“So in the absence of legislation, for example, known donors aren’t covered retrospectively. So if you’ve already are pregnant already with a known donor, you can’t avail of these provisions. So that’s very difficult for people.

“Because there was an absence of regulation and a lot of people thought that it was better for a child to have a known donor that they could know or at least know their biology if you like.

“So they made that decision in the best intentions for their children and they’re not covered.”

While the commencement of Part 2 & 3 of the CFRA does not treat all families as equal, it does give a clearer sense of the Irish criteria which clinics in Ireland can adhere to in order for both parents to be registered on the birth certificate of their child.

Solicitors say that further legislation is required to ensure all parents and children are protected in the myriad of ways LGBT+ families are formed.

Fagan said that while they continue to work towards an Ireland where all families are equal, May 4, will be “quite a historic moment for Ireland.

“For the first time, there will be a regulation in Ireland that says, same-sex parents are recognised in the State on the birth registration as two parents.”

Fagan is hopeful that there may be knock-on effects for same-sex parents not initially covered because while it “doesn’t cover everyone, it does set the scene.”

If you have any doubts about whether the legislation applies to you, you should contact your solicitor if you have access or alternatively you can contact FLAC on Lo-Call 1890 350 250 or 01-8745690

If you are in need of emotional support you can call the National LGBT Helpline on Lo-Call 1890 929 539 or chat online at http://lgbt.ie

An Garda Síochána – Diversity and Integration Strategy 2019-2021

An Garda Síochána have produced their Diversity and Integration Strategy 2019-2021, the strategy also coincides with the introduction by An Garda Síochána of a `working definition of hate crime` to ensure that their Policing Plan commitment of delivering a victim-centred policing service, focussed on keeping people safe, protecting the most vulnerable and providing a consistently high standard of service is met. This strategy is based upon five strategic principles, wherein organisational objectives are established and achievable outcomes identified to permit monitoring of the strategy, internally and independently.

Read the full Diversity and Integration Strategy 2019-2021 https://www.garda.ie/en/crime-prevention/community-engagement/community-engagement-offices/garda-national-diversity-integration-unit/diversity-and-integration-strategy-2019-2021-english-v1-1.pdf

For a full list of ELO LGBT officers see here: national-contact-details-for-elo-lgbt-officers

LGBT Ireland http://www.lgbt.ie have a wealth of information on this and other matters on their site.

Hate Crimes: Any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person to, in whole or in part, be motivated by hostility or prejudice, based on actual or perceived age, disability, race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender.

Hate Incidents: Any non-crime incident which is perceived by any person to, in whole or in part, be motivated by hostility or prejudice, based on actual or perceived age, disability, race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender.

https://lgbt.ie/get-information/harassment-and-violence/

And some music for ye all…https://youtu.be/TAHJx8IrkNE

The Youghal LGBT+ Network started up in 2017 to bring together LGBT+ people from East Cork and West Waterford, and to host events and activities to help build our community here. Over the past few years we’ve run Pop Up Cafes at Cumann na Daoine’s Community Café – we were about to start Teatime Cafes just before Covid19 – and the Network was very involved in bringing Youghal Pride by the Sea into existence in 2018, again in 2019 and…albeit delayed by the current situation – in September 2020. We’d like to get more people involved, especially at the moment when we’re all isolated and having to stay at home. We have a WhatsApp group too, and if you’d like to join that, please email me at hayleycumannnadaoine@gmail.com or call/text 098 9890336.

With links to LGBT Ireland, LINC and the Gay Project in Cork and TENI, we have access to a lot of extra supports, information and ideas – so come along and join us! You can find us on facebook too, at LGBT+ Youghal Network.

When these challenging times are over, we’ll be meeting again – so if you have ideas for what would you’d like to see happen, do get in touch!

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_5b193aafe4b0599bc6e124a0/amp

https://www.facebook.com/corkpride/videos/228234508238288/

A message from Cork Pride

“We hope everyone is safe and well at this challenging time. 

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, The Cork LGBT+ Pride committee have been monitoring HSE and Government updates and meeting regularly to discuss how it will affect the festival for 2020.Our usual dates of July 26th-August 2nd are less likely to be feasible for this year. 

Therefore, we have made the decision to change Cork LGBT+ Pride Festival 2020 dates to Saturday September 19th to Saturday September 26th, with the parade taking place on the 26th. We are confident that this is the best decision for the health and well-being of our community, as well as for the success of the festival in 2020”. 

Youghal Pride by the Sea will (provisionally) take place on

September 19th 2020.

https://www.cumannnadaoine.com/cumannnadaoine/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/older-and-bolder.jpg

This is a new Facebook online community from LGBT Ireland. It’s a self-help and mutual support space for Older members of the Irish LGBT Community to connect and make the most of our diverse community during this period of uncertainty. Check it out now!

YOUTH SUPPORTS

BeLonGTo is the national LGBT+ Youth Service.

“Our face to face services are closed as a precautionary measure to protect staff & community from the risk of COVID-19 virus. 🏳️‍🌈 We are still providing a number of services remotely 👇

📧 We will be providing Monday Chats for information, referral and advice by phone, email and SMS. You can make an appointment with a Youth Worker here 👉 https://bit.ly/38QmWJs

☎️ Our Crisis Counselling Service with Pieta House, Preventing Suicide and Self Harm will continue to operate on a digital basis. If you are a client, our therapist, Nash will be in touch with you directly to provide more information to you.

Take care of one another 😊 More information is available on our website 👉https://bit.ly/2IMQBsg “

YOUGHAL LGBT+ NETWORK

Due to Covid19, our Teatime Cafes are on hold…we have a Facebook page @LGBT+ Youghal Network and a WhatsApp group – if you’d like to get involved call Hayley on 0879890336.

Cork Gay Project are on facebook too and are offering a variety of Zoom / online activities where men can keep in touch with each other. Check them out!

Queer Vibes are still meeting weekly on Wednesdays at 7pm! Email info@gayproject.ie to join.

10000000_507712806564353_797846820017420725_n.mp4

LINC – Lesbians in Cork – are offering another wide range of online / interactive groups to see us through the crisis. All LBT women welcome!

And…let’s dance away our worries for a while with…

Events