AN EVENT to mark Pride Month in Clare will offer help to communities and organisations on how they can best support the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people. The webinar, at 7.30pm on Wednesday, June 30, will be of interest to LGBTQ+ people, their families and friends and anyone who wants to support them. It is being hosted by Quare Clare and Clare Sports Partnership, and will feature speakers from Belong To, GOSHH and LINC, three of the support and community organisations available to LGBTQ+ people and their friends and families.
Guest speaker at the webinar will be Mayo All-Star footballer Fiona McHale, who is a member of the LGBTQ+ community and a PhD researcher in Physical Activity and Health at the University of Limerick (UL).
Bernie O’Gorman of Quare Clare noted that a survey conducted earlier this year had highlighted the need for better supports. “An online survey we conducted in March highlighted an urgent need for supports and services for the LGBTQ+ community Clare,” Bernie said. “80% of people who responded said they would like more connection with other LGBTQ+ people in the county.
“Over half of all respondents did not feel sufficiently connected and supported in their community, and it was clear from written responses that there is a big demand for a social outlet or LGBTQ+ group in Clare.”
Quare Clare is a new group that has held online meetings and in May ran a very successful ‘Quare Quiz’ social event. It is a short-term project run jointly by Clare Public Participation Network (PPN), Clare Women’s Network, Clare Local Development Company and Rape Crisis Midwest, and supported by The Department of Rural and Community Development and Clare County Council. For this Pride Month event, Quare Clare is joined by Clare Sports Partnership, who are keen to demonstrate their commitment to inclusivity.
Registration for the June 30 event can be made on Clare-coming-out.eventbrite.ie and the link will also be also accessible via the Clare PPN and Clare Sports Partnership Facebook pages. Anyone from the LGBTQ+ community in Clare who would like to get involved in Quare Clare can email lgbtq.clare@gmail.com to find out more.
Quare Clare is on Facebook at Quare Clare – LGBTQ+Clare; and on Twitter: @LGBTQ_Clare.
Belong To is a national organisation that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans young people in Ireland. GOSHH! (Gender, Orientation, Sexual Health and HIV) is based in Limerick but also works to support LGBTQ+ people in Clare. LINC is based in Cork and advocates for Lesbian and Bisexual Women in Ireland.