Happy Pride Month!
We are here to support and celebrate with you not only for June but throughout the year. It is true that sometimes things aren’t easy, and that things generally get better, but we are here to help now be a bit easier too – So Happy Pride!
2023 is the 40th Anniversary of Dublin’s first Pride Parade. This year’s theme is Protest, Remember, Celebrate. We are proud to stand with you when you do.
Messages from young people in Crosscare
As part of preparations for pride young people in Crosscare LGBTQ+ youth groups and allies are preparing messages of support for young people who may or may not be out, or be questioning their sexuality or gender, or for whatever reason may not be able to attend Pride this year. We will be adding to them all through June, so if you would like to send a message in, give it to your Youth Worker.
We would like to shine a bright light over to our friends in Belong To. If you are LGBTQ+, they have fantastic support, information and resources for you and your family. More info here.
A Guide to All Things Gay!
Ok, hands up, we confess it’s not really a guide to everything gay, but this book created by Bray LGBTQ+ Youth Group, still manages to give a huge amount of information for anyone wondering about the LGBTQ+ experience!
‘A Guide to All Things Gay’ is available here for free download
Here at Crosscare, we want you to know that we are here to support you thrive and be the best version of yourself.
How?
- Call into your local Youth Centre: Your local youth service is a welcoming, supportive and safe place to come – it is open to all young people. You can talk to a Youth Worker in confidence – who will answer your questions including how to join, what activities are offered or what’s involved in setting a youth group in your area. Interactive map of Crosscare Youth Centres
LGBTQ+ specific groups
- Arklow lgbtq+ Youth group (just received the Rainbow award) Angeline; 0867789427 email: apluck@crosscare.ie
- Wicklow Town LGBTQ+ Youth group – Angeline; 0867789427 email: apluck@crosscare.ie
- Bray LGBTQ+ Youth Group; Paul Ph: 086 7792587 ; email braylgbtyouth@gmail.com
Information
- Chat to a Youth Information Officer. If you need information about your rights, or options at school, college, work you can chat online Monday to Fri 4-8pm. We are here for you.
Be part of the change
We Hear YOU! – Despite significant positive progress in recent years in Irish society in terms of legislation and policies to protect LGBTQ+ people in Ireland, the clear message emerging from the Belongto 2022 School Climate Survey is that school is still not a safe place for LGBTQ+ students.
We Hear HER! – The CEO of Belong To, Moninne Griffith (she/her) said: “There is still a long way to go for positive changes in laws and policies that we have seen in Ireland in recent years to translate into change experienced in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ young people”.
WE Hear THEM! – Crosscare is committed to providing a safe space for all young people in our services, where they are free to be and express themselves. We work with young people to ensure that Crosscare Youth & Information Services are safe and inclusive spaces. We want young people throughout the services to help shape those spaces, to let us know ways they would like to see a promotion of inclusivity for LGBTQ+ young people.