South Dublin LGBT+ Network provides an open and welcome space
By Mary Dennehy
A BUS shelter campaign has been launched by the newly formed South Dublin LGBT+ Network, which to date has more than 300 members from right across the county.
The Network has grown from an initiative of South Dublin County Council’s Inclusion Unit and the South Dublin Public Participation Network (PPN), which consulted with various stakeholders to help create the Network.
Síona Ní Catháil, Niamh Kearney, Sarah McHugh, Mayor Ed O’Brien, Gerry Curran, Cllr Alan Edge and Shane Gough (pic: Ben Ryan)
These stakeholders included Greenbow, which represents the deaf LGBT+ community, and Full Spectrum, a new group for LGBT+ people with disabilities.
Councillors were also involved in the consultation along with the council’s LGBT+Staff Network.
In conversation with The Echo, councillor Alan Edge explained how independently he had set up an online network designed to bring the local LGBT+ community together, creating “a safe place and a platform to socialise, network and advocate”.
Following council and PPN support, this online group is now the South Dublin LGBT+ Network which, managed by an independent, interim committee, has 300 members to date.
The aim of the new group is to bring together the local LGBT+ community for support, networking and socialising.
Kieran Walsh (PPN); Cllr Francis Timmons, Darragh Adelaide and Darren Lamont(pic: Ben Ryan)
“Polling I carried out showed a near total lack of resources for the LGBT+ community locally,” Cllr Edge told The Echo.
“Everything was very ‘town-centric’.
“Despite Tallaght having one of the highest Yes votes in the Marriage Referendum, there was a serious lack of visibility for LGBT+ people in the area which I wanted to change.”
According to Cllr Edge, a particular focus of the Network is on LGBT+ people belonging to other communities in which coming out and being themselves may create challenges.
Shane Gough is the interim Treasurer of the Network.
“Importantly, the Network provides an open and welcoming space for members of minority and marginalised communities who may find it difficult to come out to their own family and friends for cultural and other reasons,” Shane said.
“It’s important that we reach out to our friends in the Traveller community, the migrant community and those in Direct Provision who often find it particularly difficult to be open and proud.
“I see this as a key focus of the Network in the coming months.”
If you’re living in the county, you may have spotted a bus shelter poster campaign launched this month by the Network, with support from the council and PPN.
A bus shelter in Tallaght
According to Cllr Edge: “The aim [of the bus shelter campaign] is to highlight both pride in who we are and in where we live.
“Particularly in the era of Covid, that sense of community is vital and it’s the theme of this year’s Pride celebrations.”
In a comment to The Echo, South Dublin County Council said that the campaign also celebrates Pride 2021.
“In celebration of Pride 2021 the South Dublin LGBT+ network arranged a successful 25 bus shelter visibility campaign displaying the Pride posters throughout the County to both highlight Pride 2021 and the newly established South Dublin LGBT+ Network”, the council said.
“The Social Inclusion Unit will continue to support and provide assistance to the Network in their workings going forward to ensure all our citizens have the same opportunities to take part in the social, cultural and economic life of our county.”
Welcoming the creation of the LGBT+ Network, Kieran Walsh, South Dublin PPN co-ordinator, highlighted how the Network also hopes to “signpost” members of the community to various supports and services in the county.
Cllr Emma Murphy, Esther Leonard with dog Holly, and Cllr Alan Edge at the Hell Fire Club
June is Pride month, with Dublin Pride hosting a number of events throughout the month –including a Virtual Pride Parade on June 26.
Wishing everyone a Happy Pride, Clondalkin councillor Francis Timmons said: “Wherever you are reading this I wish you a happy Pride if you’re a member of the LGBT Community and if you’re not I hope you will take this month to learn more and educate yourself and others in acceptance, love and equality”.
County Mayor Ed O’Brien will raise the Pride flags in Tallaght Stadium this Friday.
For further information follow @southdublinlgbt on social media or email southdublin@dublinpride.ie.
To learn about Dublin Pride and the events running this month, visit the Dublin Pride website HERE.
