Ireland IDAHO Report 2013

Actions for the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia took place in nine different cities in Ireland. Various events gave a specific platform to progressive religious voices. Five IDAHO events were held in Cathedrals – in Dublin, Belfast, Limerick, Kilkenny and Derry. LGBT young people in Galway organised a street art flashmob, LGBT activists also organised seminars on education and public policy.

IDAHO Faith Events Held in Seven Cities

For the fifth successive year, Changing Attitude Ireland organised special church services at seven venues around Ireland to mark IDAHO, the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (May 17th) – Dublin, KilKenny, Cork, Limerick, Belfast and Derry.
On Friday May May 17, the Newry Rainbow Community held an evening of sacred song, scripture readings and reflection in St. Catherine’s Church, Dominic Street, Newry, County Down. Other services took place on Sundays and this year included for the first time, St Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny on May 12th where the speaker was the Bishop of Cashel and Ossory, the Rt. Rev’d Michael Burrows. The commemorations were also joined on May 12th by St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin where the speaker was Canon Mark Gardner; and by St Mary’s Cathedral Limerick. Another newcomer to IDAHO this year was St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast on May 19th. Also on May 19th will be the service in Cork at St Anne’s, Shandon, where the speaker was Jerry Buttimer TD, joined by the LGBTS Choir Choral Con Fusion. One week later in Derry the service on May 26th was in St Columb’s Cathedral.
All events were welcome to everyone, irrespective of faith or sexual orientation. For more more info see the Changing Attitude Ireland website.

Rainbow Graffiti Flashmob in Galway

ShOUT LGBT Youth Group also organised a street art flashmob, ‘Painting The Town in Rainbows’.
Organisers advised in the lead up to the event: ‘ShOUT! LGBT Youth Group, Youth Work Ireland, Galway is organising a Chalk Graffiti Flash mob Saturday 18th of May. We will be meeting in Eyre Square at 12.30, placing LGBT Rainbows in Eyre Square, then moving on down through the town placing Rainbows as we go, continuing on to Spanish Arch (for 1pm), where will draw a lot of rainbows, add some quotes and signatures and ask the public to join in. We will be photographing the whole day. Anyone is welcome to join in at the Spanish Arch.’
For more information see the ShOUT LGBT Youth Group website. Or log onto their page on facebook.
Photos from the event, more available from ShOUT LGBT Youth on facebook.


 

 

BeLonG To Events organised in Clondalkin and Limerick

IDAHOT Event in Clondalkin with Minister Frances Fitzgerald!
The LGBT Youth Network, BeLonG To, presented at the ‘Best LGBT Policy & Practice for Community , Drugs and Youth Organisations’ seminar on the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia. Organised by the Clondalkin Rainbow Alliance, David Carroll, Director of Services with BeLonG To, spoke about the issues affecting LGBT young people, and offered suggestions on ways in which professionals can enhance their work practise to be more inclusive of LGBT youth.
IDAHOT Conference on School Ethos & LGBT Identities at the University of Limerick
BeLonG To also spoke at a conference at the University of Limerick, on ‘School Ethos’ and LGBT identities. The conference was funded by the Irish Research Council and brought together Irish and international researchers, NGOs, the Department of Education & Skills, the Joint Management Board, and other education partners. Activists of the group advised in the lead up to the event ‘BeLonG To is honoured to have been one of the few NGOs invited to participate in this ground-breaking event which will provide a vital opportunity for education partners to talk about challenges and strategies related to school ethos and LGBT young people.’
For more information please see the BeLonG To website.