On Saturday 22nd October, Clonakilty will be the place to be for Seeding the County’s LGBTI+ Seminar ‘Pooling Our Potential’. This free event will take place in O’Donovan’s Hotel from 9am-4pm.
We are delighted that the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Danny Collins will open the event, acknowledging the importance of increasing visibility and inclusion for its LGBTI+ people. The seminar is a first of its kind in a community-based, community-led format. On the day, Cumann na Daoine / Seeding the County’s Strategic Plan for LGBTI+ Inclusion & Development in County Cork ‘Thriving Lives’ will be launched.
This Strategic Plan, and the Seeding the County LGBTI+ development project overall, is led by Cumann na Daoine Community Resource Centre in Youghal and focuses on rural-dwelling LGBTI+ people, many of who experience disadvantage in accessing supports, social and community events due to limitations of transport, distance and information.
The seminar includes a series of interactive workshops, designed to start conversations, share ideas, and open new ways of networking that will enable the more isolated among the LGBTI+ community in the county to participate more fully in civic and social life. Workshops include conversations around ageing, Trans life in rural Ireland, healthcare and HIV histories with activists Rita Wild, Eilís ní Fhlannagáin and Will Kennedy alongside hands-on activities with artists Toma McCullim and Liz Clarke.
Project Worker Hayley Fox-Roberts said “This is an excellent opportunity for people to come together in an informal, relaxed event and get talking. Each small step we take towards inclusion is a step of value, and we’re looking forward to seeing friends old and new at the weekend. We decided on our venue for a number of reasons, but a big one is there’s a bus stop outside. We aim to be as inclusive and accessible as possible”
Light lunch and refreshments will be provided at the event, and exhibitions of archive material will be on display along with information stands from local, regional and national LGBTI+ organisations.
For more information see Seeding the County on facebook or email seedingthecounty@gmail.com.
Places can be booked through this email, but people are also welcome to simply turn up on the day.
This event is funded by Cork County Council through Dormant Accounts funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development. Seeding the County is also supported by the LGBTI+ Communities Fund 2020 from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
