Gay Switchboard Ireland

RCNI launch LGBT Sexual Violence Report

Adam Shanley — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 12:44:53 +0000

The Rape Crisis Network of Ireland (RCNI) in partnership with Gay Switchboard Ireland and the Gay & Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) have launched a report on sexual violence in the LGBT community.

“Finding a Safe Place: LGBT Survivors of Sexual Violence and Disclosure in Rape Crisis Centres” was officially launched this morning, Monday 11th July at the Royal Irish Academy by Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, Dr. Katherine Zappone TD.

The report is available to download here.

Following the launch of the report, Gay Switchboard Ireland invites you to a community discussion on the topic of sexual violence, domestic abuse and consent in the LGBT community.

Monday 11th July @ 6:30pm,
The Old Chocolate Factory, Kings Inn Street, Dublin 1.
Discussion panel includes:
Odhrán Allen, Director of Mental Health at Gay & Lesbian Equality Network;
Broden Giambrone, Director of Transgender Equality Network of Ireland;
Anne Scully, Chairperson of the Rape Crisis Network of Ireland;
Lynne Cahill, Lesbian Domestic Violence & Abuse PhD candidate at Trinity College Dublin.

Questions, discussion and debate is encouraged from all in attendance. The report will be available at the event.

The report is an important effort in focusing attention on the issues that face LGBT people in a post-marriage equality Ireland. Discussion about sexual violence in the community is so far to the margins it is all but invisible. Consequently, many victims may feel reluctant to seek help and report the abuse.

At Gay Switchboard Ireland we want to make talking about sexual violence safe for the LGBT community. The report has prompted us to hold a community discussion with stakeholders across the LGBT spectrum on the topic as an opportunity to start the conversation.

President Higgins signs into law the Gender Recognition Bill now becoming the Gender Recognition Act 2015 (Act No. 25 of 2015)

Adam Shanley — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 10:36:58 +0000

Fantastic news for everyone in the Transgender Community here in Ireland. President Michael D. Higgins has today signed the Gender Recognition Bill which is now officially the Gender Recognition Act 2015 (Act No. 25 of 2015)

(Signed on 22 July, 2015)

A huge step forward for all involved and well done on all the hard work by TENI and FLAC who worked tirelessly to achieve this amazing milestone. The legislation is expected to be enacted before the end of July and come into operation before the end of summer.

http://www.president.ie/en/the-president/2015-legislation

Personal Development Course for Men – Places available now – FREE!

Adam Shanley — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 19:13:58 +0000

The next Personal Development Course for men commences on 8th September 2015.

It’s free!

To book your place, or for more information email pdc@ghn.ie or take a look at the information leaflet here

https://docs.zoho.com/file/h4i5yaf51e415694b404ca0c50d1e41a91b35

A series of 6 weekly workshops offered 3 times a year in February, May and September each year in Outhouse and facilitated by the Gay Health Network.

Gay Switchboard Ireland is recruiting new Volunteers

Adam Shanley — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 14:37:49 +0000

Following the successful live launch of our Online Chat Support service on Friday the 3rd July, Gay Switchboard Ireland would like to announce another important date for your diary.

We will host an Open Day next Saturday the 11th July at Outhouse from 1pm to 4pm. You are more than welcome to pop in and chat to our friendly Volunteers and Training team. On the day we will provide information on recruitment, training and how you can begin volunteering with us.

There will also be FREE Tea, Cakes and Smiles

Alternatively, if you’re not free that day, why not go online to http://gayswitchboard.ie/volunteer/

Here you can register your interest in volunteering with Gay Switchboard and our Trainer will be in contact with you with more details.

Our New online chat service has gone live and is available from 6:30pm Friday the 3rd July and every weekend.

Adam Shanley — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 14:51:23 +0000

Our online chat service has gone live and is available from 6:30pm Friday the 3rd July.

This free online support service is another positive way that the LGBT community, their family and friends can contact us.

The service will run every weekend from Friday 630pm to 9pm, Saturdays 2pm to 6pm and on Sundays from 2pm to 4pm during July and August. Plans to extend the service to 7 days very soon are in the pipeline too.

So If you need live online support or information, our trained volunteers are available every weekend to chat at www.gayswitchboard.ie.

Don’t forget we’re still on the phone 7 days a week (01 8721055) and available by email (ask@ghn.ie) and to drop in to chat to us at our Drop in Service session every Saturday from 2pm to 4pm in Outhouse.

We are delighted also that this is a joint project with LGBT Helpline who are also offering a weekend chat support service on their site.

We would like to sincerely thank Community Foundation of Ireland for their generous funding towards this project.

Dublin Pride 2015

Adam Shanley — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 14:35:18 +0000

Pride Village returns on Parade Day, June 27th

We listened to what you said and this year we’ve made Pride Village bigger and better than ever. Situated in and around Merrion Square, Dublin 2, we have a full day of activities and entertainment for everyone to enjoy. As in previous years our Parade will culminate in Merrion Square where we’ll have the opportunity to listen to our Grand Marshals as well as other guest speakers who have contributed to the LGBTQ community, but we have so much more planned for you this year.

Pride Village will open at noon of Saturday 27^th of June. Inside the park as well as our community zone and family area we are delighted to have entertainment from the always wonderful team at Hunt & Gather all day long. If you’re feeling under-dressed don’t worry, Sparkle Costumes will be on hand to help get you dressed up and show the world how fabulous you are.

Feeling hungry or thirsty, we have it covered. There will be food and refreshment stalls with something for everyone both inside and outside the park as well as seating areas to relax and enjoy your food. And if you want a souvenir, visit our official Dublin LGBTQ Pride merchandise shop.

Worried you’ll miss the action on main stage as you explore the village, don’t. With 3 big screens you won’t miss a minute. We look forward to seeing you there for the festival of the year.

See Article - June 16, 2015 at 10:15 am

Check out the 2015 Guide now!

http://issuu.com/dublinpridefestival/docs/web

As it hits the streets in hard copy you can check out the full 2015 Dublin LGBTQ Pride Guide here online.

Celebrating a fantastic year, this guide contains wonderful articles, run-downs on what to expect as well as a full listing of all events.

The guide will be set loose on in Dublin early next week, so check out your favourite LGBTQ bar or resource centre to pick up a copy for free!

See Article - June 11, 2015 at 3:34 pm

Full event listings online now

http://issuu.com/dublinpridefestival/docs/web

HIV Ireland Press Release for Irish AIDS Day (15th June 2015)

Adam Shanley — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 19:16:51 +0000

HIV Ireland Press Release for Irish AIDS Day (15th June 2015)

11 June 2015

Today is World Aids Day. For more than 30 years Ireland has been living with HIV/Aids. It is time to begin a conversation that speaks the truth about HIV and that challenges society on how to respond to HIV. This conversation is crucial if we are to tear down the fear and prejudice that still surrounds people who live with HIV, a fear and prejudice that is more widespread here than we may want to believe. Given the 7,000-plus men and women who were diagnosed HIV-positive in Ireland since the 1980s, a significant number of whom died due to Aids, this conversation is long overdue.

HIV Ireland calls for additional resources to cope with increasing HIV infections in Ireland

When it comes to talk of HIV & AIDS, it is fair to say we are being deafened by silence, a silence that has the potential to accelerate rather than alleviate the harm that HIV is causing in today’s Ireland.

While we know there has been a significant and welcome improvement in treatment for HIV, we also know there is great cause for concern in the rising numbers of newly diagnosed – 344 people in 2013, 377 people in 2014 (11% increase on 2013) and 168 people to date in 2015 (HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre data).

These figures show that HIV continues to disproportionately impact on men who have sex with men (183; 49%). There remain a sizeable number of heterosexual people contracting HIV in Ireland (125; 33%) and it is worrying that a recent trend of reducing HIV infections amongst people who inject drugs has seen an unexpected reversal (27; 7%). This all needs to be monitored closely.

HIV Ireland calls for the publication of the National Sexual Health Strategy so that a clear policy framework can support our work. The publication of a new strategy will go a long way in supporting the excellent statutory and NGO partnership of the Sexual Health Communications Network chaired by the HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme. A very significant and welcome practical outcome from this partnership work is the National Condom Project recently announced by the HSE. Condoms remain a vital aspect of preventing HIV transmission. HIV Ireland welcomes this initiative as key to making condoms more accessible across Ireland. We have equally seen, and welcome, continuing HSE support for the joint Gay Health Network/HSE Man2Man programme in response to the worrying HIV figures amongst MSM. However, for the new strategy to be effective, it must be properly resourced. Across Ireland we need extra resources for testing services, for training and education work, for treatment and prevention work. As HIV figures increase we cannot afford to stand still.

For many people, memories of HIV & AIDS date back to the 1980’s. In 2015, the landscape has changed significantly. Once diagnosed, and receiving treatment, people with HIV can live healthy and fulfilling lives. The word AIDS no longer holds the fear it once did. We now know that AIDS cases in Ireland have been greatly reduced over the years due to the availability of anti-retroviral therapies. While AIDS undoubtedly remains a reality for some people, preventing HIV transmission and living with HIV are now the more pressing issues for many.

But silence remains a challenge. We must open up and talk about HIV to ensure all people are aware of the implications of contracting it and the risks of not knowing their status. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates over 30% of people who are HIV positive in the world don’t know they are. The risk of onward transmission is obvious. Since the early days of HIV & AIDS in Ireland, many individuals and groups across the country have consistently responded to the challenges that HIV has brought – the sense of being alone when first diagnosed, the stigma and discrimination that people who are living with HIV can experience, the reality of losing friends to HIV, the social fear that surrounds HIV and isolates people living with HIV from wider society. And the silence that persists.

HIV Ireland believes it is time to break that silence. According to Niall Mulligan, HIV Ireland’s Executive Director, ‘It is crucial we tear down the fear and silence that continue to surround people who live with HIV. The impact AIDS has had on Irish society must never be forgotten. However, it is now time to focus on HIV, to have a conversation about HIV and the impact it continues to have on the lives of so many people in Ireland today. For the 377 people who were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2014, and for the 168 people newly diagnosed so far this year, it is a conversation that has only just begun’. For information about HIV, testing, safer sex and support please visit - www.hivireland.ie;www.man2man.ie; www.positivenow.ie

End

For further information please contact:

Niall Mulligan,

Executive Director

HIV Ireland

70 Eccles Street

Dublin 7

Mobile: 085 7457951

Tel: 01 8733799

Email: niall.mulligan@hivireland.ie

Gay Switchboard Ireland helpline hours extended in run up to Marriage Equality Referendum

Adam Shanley — Wed, 13 May 2015 08:39:27 +0000

Gay Switchboard Ireland is extending the hours of its support and listening helpline for the LGBT community and their family and friends in the run up to the Marriage Equality referendum on May 22^nd.

Gay Switchboard have seen a considerable rise in calls over the past 2 weeks due to the effects of the discourse about LGBT lives and relationships. Callers have expressed difficulties arising from debate in the media, reactions on doorsteps while canvassing and conversations with family and friends.

Adam Shanley, Director of Gay Switchboard says: The next number of days are likely to be some of the most difficult times for LGBT people as we listen to public debate on our lives and relationships.

In our 41 year history, the Gay Switchboard has been there for the community through many difficult times. In the run up to the Marriage Equality referendum we want members of the LGBT community, including their friends and family to know that we are there to talk if they are finding things difficult.”

Gay Switchboard Ireland will extend its hours on Monday 18^th May – Friday 22^nd May with the helpline open from 5pm – 10pm on 01 8721055. The helpline will also be open on Saturday 23^rd May from 2 – 6pm and again on Sunday 24^th from 4 – 6pm.

Depending on the outcome of the referendum, we will endeavour to keep these hours until May 29.

Dublin Gay Theatre Festival

Adam Shanley — Tue, 05 May 2015 18:46:01 +0000

Dublin Gay Theatre Festival 2015 is already underway and running until May 18th and with a jam packed programme of drama, comedy, music and cabaret, there really is something for everyone to enjoy.

Plays from the USA, Canada, South Africa, Israel and Australia, Northern Ireland and Britain will show in a number of venues around Dublin including The New Theatre, The Cobalt Cafe, The Teacher’s Club and the Player’s Theatre and will share the programme with a record number of works by brilliant Irish playwrights.

Throughout this year’s Festival, audiences will have the chance to experience stories about family and gender, love, happiness and loss. As well as drama, there will be talk about gay rights, politics and sex in the 80s and a re-imagining of children’s tales and fairy tales and, as to be expected, loads more.

Festival Artistic Director and Chairman, Brian Merriman, invites each and everyone to enjoy the Festival events. He said, “I believe we all profit from this visibility, this diversity, this inclusiveness of all, regardless of their identity, in a unique artistic celebration of new voices, new work and new horizons in Dublin.”

The Dublin Gay Theatre Festival is an annual event, celebrating contribution of gay people to theatre, past and present. The Festival was founded in 2004 to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Oscar Wilde, in his native city. With an emphasis on new or recent international and Irish works with a broadly gay theme or relevance, the Festival has grown to become the largest event of its type in the world.

The Festival creates new opportunities for visibility and affirmation for existing and emerging gay artists and theatrical works. The Festival’s criteria for inclusion into the programme are broadly interpreted to include works by gay writers, works that have a gay relevance or theme, or works that include either performance or another artistic contribution by gay people. So why not get yourselves and your friends, families and/or partners to one of the wonderful events happening soon all over the city.

For the full Festival programme and ticketing information see www.gaytheatre.ie

Participation and attendance is open to all who wish to witness and acknowledge the immense contribution of gay people to theatre in all its forms. Why not check it out and pop along.

http://www.gaytheatre.ie/

Green Ribbon – Changing minds about mental health

Adam Shanley — Tue, 05 May 2015 18:29:48 +0000

See Change, the National Stigma Reduction Partnership and their 90 partner organisations including Gay Switchboard Ireland are rolling out a month long national Green Ribbon Campaign to get people talking openly about mental health problems in May 2015.

More than 500,000 green ribbons will be distributed nationwide free of charge to spark a national conversation about mental health in boardrooms, break-rooms, chat rooms, clubhouses, arts venues, college campuses and around kitchen tables throughout Ireland.

Their aim is to make the month of May every year synonymous with promoting open conversation of mental health and challenging the stigma of mental health problems.

You don’t need to be an expert to start talking about mental health or have all the answers. Sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is to let someone know that you are there for them and simply listen.

Thousands of Green Ribbons will be distributed free of charge and nationwide. Pick up your Green Ribbon at every major Irish Rail station and Citizens Information Centres across the country.

Find a Green Ribbon event near you and help support this wonderful cause. Or just share the events page to help raise awareness.

http://www.greenribbon.ie/news-and-events/