To kick September off to a good start (and a healthy caffeine kick!)  we are holding our Coffee Posse this Friday (September 3rd) at 6pm in Tribes.

Hope to see you there!!

Enjoy!!!

See you there!

Tickets for our Big Gay Fun Bus to the March for Marriage go on-sale at The

Other Place Cafe tomorrow (Tuesday) at 4pm!

We will be leaving Cork at 8am that morning from outside the Courthouse and

will be be leaving Dublin again at 6pm that evening!

If last year’s March is anything to go by, it will be an epic day! Over

5,000 people marched last year and this year should be even more

spectacular.

Tickets are limited, are 20euro and include a free drink at Chambers

Post-March Party that night when we arrive back in Cork and also automatic

entry to our raffle on the bus! More details will follow soon so keep and

eye on our website/Facebook.

Please see

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l–P5p7ybbs&feature=player_embedded for more

details! Please join us and make your voice heard on the day.

Remember every voice counts!

Check out our Campaigns Officer’s letter in today’s Irish Examiner here

Focusing mainly on rural Ireland, a new national programme launched today by Pat Carey, TD, Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, to address the needs of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people (LGBT)

20.07.10

Press Release

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people particularly in rural areas can experience pronounced isolation and discrimination and, therefore, feel unable to play their part in the economic, social and cultural life of their communities. That’s according to LGBT Diversity, a new programme launched today (20.07.10), which aims to improve supports and services for people of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations.

The LGBT Diversity programme is a coordinated response, by local and national organisations, to further develop understanding within Irish society of gender identity and sexual orientation. Its objectives are to develop a support network for LGBT people in areas currently underserved, build the capacity of LGBT organisations and strengthen the Sector nationally.

According to LGBT Diversity’s Programme Manager, Derek McDonnell: “Despite recent progress for LGBT people in Ireland, a significant number still find it difficult to be ‘out’ and remain living in their local communities. Much of this is the result of a lack of recognition that all communities are made up of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.”

 “Many LGBT people migrate towards Dublin or other cities because they feel they cannot play a full role in the community in which they were born and raised.  Service providers – ranging from health to education – currently lack the capacity to respond effectively to the needs of these people, which can result in profound isolation and increased exposure to mental health issues.

“It is, therefore, unsurprising that, for those who decide to remain living in their community of origin, many never ‘come out’ and will travel to Dublin – or one of the other main cities – in order to openly socialise and access services,” said Mr McDonnell.

LGBT Diversity pointed out that, in part, inequality is a contributor to isolation for many people.  Such inequalities range from disparate treatment before the law to lack of access to services, especially in rural areas.  These include gender recognition; the right to inherit; access to adoption; healthcare for older people; job security; increased exposure to mental health problems and the legal rights of children of LGBT people.

“Promoting an Ireland in which people of diverse sexualities and gender identities play a full and active part, at all levels, in our society is our vision for the future,” said Mr McDonnell.  “The LGBT Diversity programme strives to mobilise individuals, organisations and groups to advocate effectively on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality.”

To respond to shortcomings in services and supports, LGBT Diversity has placed a Regional Development Worker in the Northwest, the Midlands and the South East.  Their main role will be to identify the needs of LGBT people and organisations in their region and to work with mainstream services to integrate these needs into their programmes.  They will also assist in the set-up of support groups, facilitate awareness training and act as a conduit for information sharing.

 “What we hope the Regional Development Workers will do is to respond to voices at local level and build the capacity of local service providers to respond to the needs of people who are experiencing isolation, discrimination and inequality solely because of their gender identity or sexual orientation,” added Mr McDonnell. 

Minister Pat Carey welcomed the launch of the Programme:

“I think the timing of this launch is apt in the aftermath of the passing of the Civil Partnership Bill. That historic event showed how far we have travelled when it comes to embracing diversity as a society but it also gave us an opportunity to reflect on how far we still have to go. As we continue on this journey I am sure that this Programme will be instrumental in driving change and promoting equality and integration and I welcome its publication”.

In its work programme, LGBT Diversity also plans to undertake LGBT parenthood research; conduct a feasibility study to set up an LGBT Fund; establish a community grants scheme in conjunction with the Community Foundation for Ireland; and establish community-based supports for LGBT people, their family and friends.  It will also organise national and regional conferences on LGBT issues over the next three years.

For further information, contact:

Sarah O’Sullivan, Administrator, LGBT Diversity

+353 (87) 900 9246, sarah@lgbtdiversity.com

Derek McDonnell, Programme Manager, LGBT Diversity

+353 (87) 66 00 872, derek@lgbtdiversity.com

Editors Note

More detail on the Programme is available on their website www.lgbtdiversity.com