by Sarah Clancy | Oct 6, 2021 | Current, Members News, National, PPN News
Please note that these events have been postponed until further notice due to Covid-19 case numbers and continuing restrictions.
First ever county-wide Clare Pride Festival set for Bank Holiday weekend
LGBTQ+ events across Banner will lead to Quare Clare Pride Party at Hotel Doolin at 8pm on Sunday 24th October
History will be made in the Banner this month when the first ever county-wide Clare Pride Festival takes place during the October Bank Holiday weekend. A day of free events in towns across Clare on Sunday 24th October, organised by Quare Clare, will culminate in a fantastic Pride Party in Hotel Doolin with cabaret, DJ and finger food.
The Quare Clare Pride Party will kick off at 8pm at Hotel Doolin, with a ticket price of just €12 and with free tickets available to anyone who might find the cost a barrier to having a fantastic pride night. The party, which is for over-18s only, is kindly sponsored by Hotel Doolin.
Get your ticket here:
https://clareprideparty2021.eventbrite.ie
Places to stay in and near Doolin:
https://doolin.ie/plan-your-trip/places-to-stay/
One of the Quare Clare organisers, Sarah Clancy, who works for Clare PPN and is herself a member of the LGBTQ+ community said: “This is going to be a fantastic weekend for Clare’s LGBTQ+ community and for people who we hope will travel from around Ireland to be with us this weekend. We want our community to be visible and connected to the wider community in Clare.
“We want young and older people in the towns and villages around Ireland to see how rural Ireland too can embrace difference. What better way for us to connect and celebrate than to let Clare do what it’s good at – host one hell of a Pride Party this October.”
Elaine D’Alton of Clare Women’s Network said:
“A series of Pride events in towns across the county will take place during the day on Sunday 24th October, finishing up in Doolin in time for the Pride Party. Details of these daytime events which will be free and open to all, will be announced very shortly.
“The ticket price for the party at Hotel Doolin includes a contribution to a ticket for someone who might otherwise not be able to afford it. Anyone in this position should select a free ticket on the booking form, but for those who can afford it we’d appreciate if they could pay for their ticket.”
“We are inviting people from across Ireland to Clare Pride Festival and we will share options for accommodation in Doolin on www.clareppn.ie and email them to everyone who books a ticket. On Monday 25th October, the mood will be more chilled, with ‘morning after’ activities organised including yoga and meditation, followed by a good-bye cuppa to send everyone on their way.”
“Anyone travelling to Clare and making a weekend of it will be able to take in a hike along the Cliffs of Moher or enjoy some of the beautiful scenery the day after.”
Quare Clare is a new group that has held online meetings and social events. 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 was established as the result of a short-term project run jointly by Clare Public Participation Network, Clare Women’s Network, Clare Local Development Company, Rape Crisis Midwest and GOSHH! and supported by The Department of Rural and Community Development and Clare County Council.
Quare Clare is on Facebook at:
Quare Clare – LGBTQ+Clare
And on Twitter:
@LGBTQ_Clare
You can book a ticket for the Quare Clare Pride Party at this Eventbrite link:
https://clareprideparty2021.eventbrite.ie
Places to stay in and near Doolin:
https://doolin.ie/plan-your-trip/places-to-stay/
by Sarah Clancy | Jun 17, 2021 | Current, Members News, PPN News
Clare’s coming out! – webinar for LGBTQ+ people, their families & friends in Clare
Information event on July 7th to feature Mayo GAA star Fiona McHale and speakers from LGBTQ+ support organisations
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, on July 7th, will be of interest to LGBTQ+ people living in Clare, their families and friends and anyone who wants to support them.
The information event, hosted by Quare Clare and Clare Sports Partnership, will feature Mayo All-Star footballer Fiona McHale, who is a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Fiona is also a PhD researcher in Physical activity & Health at the University of Limerick.
Representatives of Belong To, GOSHH and LINC, three of the support and community organisations available to LGBTQ+ people and their families in Ireland, will also speak at the webinar.
The webinar will take place from 7:30pm on Wednesday, July 7th, and you can register to take part at this Eventbrite link:
https://clare-coming-out.eventbrite.ie
Bernie O’Gorman of Quare Clare said:
“An online survey we conducted in March highlighted an urgent need for supports and services for the LGBTQ+ community Clare. 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.”
Belong To is a national organisation that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans young people in Ireland.
https://www.belongto.org/
GOSHH! (Gender, Orientation, Sexual Health and HIV) is based in Limerick but also works to support LGBTQ+ people in Clare.
https://goshh.ie/
LINC is based in Cork and advocates for Lesbian and Bisexual Women in Ireland.
https://www.linc.ie/about/
Quare Clare is a new group that has held online meetings and in May ran a very successful ‘Quare Quiz’ social event. 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 was established as the result of a short-term project run jointly by Clare Public Participation Network, 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, they are delighted to be joined by Clare Sports Partnership, who are also keen to publicly demonstrate their commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusivity.
by Sarah Clancy | Apr 8, 2021 | Current, Members News, PPN News
Survey shows urgent need for supports for Clare’s LGBTQ+ community
80% of respondents to an online survey aimed at members of the LGBTQ+ community in Clare said they would like to have more connection with other LGBTQ+ people. Over half of all respondents did not feel sufficiently connected and supported in their community.
The survey, which was conducted during March as part of a short-term project called LGBTQ+ Clare, highlights an urgent need for supports and services for the LGBTQ+ community in the county.
More than 70% of respondents had faced discrimination based on their gender identity or sexual orientation. Many respondents felt there was a lack of LGBTQ+ focused mental health supports in the county and that they would benefit from improved mental health services. More than 30% of respondents did not feel their sexual orientation and/or gender identity are understood when they engage with services in Clare.
Some also called for community specific sexual health clinics and better access to gender-affirming hormones.
Many respondents said they would benefit from an LGBTQ+ cafe, pub or community space in order to meet others who identify in a similar way. Others felt that businesses in Clare could openly show their support for the community by placing flags, stickers, etc. on their premises.
The survey results point to several key issues that need to be addressed:
• Education concerning sexual orientation and gender identity in schools and other spaces.
• Improved visibility and support from the wider community.
• Access to healthcare, particularly sexual orientation and gender identity focused mental health supports.
• The formation of an LGBTQ+ social/peer group in Clare.
• The creation of a confidential helpline that those struggling with their sexual orientation or gender identity can reach out to.
Overall, there is evidently a strong desire to form a social group, preferably a meet-and-greet to improve inclusivity and visibility in the Clare area. There is a lack of gender-neutral spaces for trans and non-binary individuals such as locker rooms and bathrooms.
The survey results point to a lack of education both in schools and other spaces on issues pertaining both to sexual orientation and gender identity.
To conclude, the LGBTQ+ community in Clare would greatly benefit from better access to healthcare and mental health supports. Many members of this community report a lack of connection within their community and many are still facing some form of discrimination here in Clare. There are steps which can be taken in order to improve the experience of this community, as outlined above.
More than 50 people from across Clare took part in the survey.
LGBTQ+ Clare is a short-term project run jointly by Clare 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.
LGBTQ+ Clare is currently planning its next steps. If you would like to be part of the organising group or you would like some more information, please get in touch by emailing: lgbtq.clare@gmail.com
by Sarah Clancy | Mar 1, 2021 | Current, Members News, PPN News
Online survey aims to bring out the rainbow for Clare’s LGBTQ+ community
What would bring out the rainbow for LGBTQ+ people in Clare? What services and supports could make this community more visible, more connected and improve their quality of life? These are among the questions asked in an online survey launched today by LGBTQ+ Clare, a new project to establish the needs of this community in the Banner County.
LGBTQ+ Clare would like to hear from LGBTQ+ people about how connected they are to other LGBTQ+ people in Clare, whether they feel their identity and/or gender are understood and respected, or whether they experience discrimination.
The county-wide survey is being launched by LGBTQ+ Clare, a short-term project run jointly by Clare Public Participation Network, 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.
The survey will be available until the closing date of March 31st, 2021 at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LGBTQ_Clare
The survey results will help to assess what services and supports would improve local engagement and community spirit within the LGBTQ+ community in the Clare area. The organisations involved also hope to use the survey results to organise activities and opportunities including social meet-ups, political participation, campaigns and possibly a Pride event in Clare.
“The aim is to make the supports and services that are available for LGBTQ+ people in other parts of the country available to you in Clare, whether you’re in Killaloe, Kilfenora or Carrigaholt,” said Meabh Sexton of LGBTQ+ Clare.
“Considering the pandemic, now more than ever it is important to have these local services. We don’t want members of the community traveling to other counties to avail of services that could be provided here in Clare and we need people to engage and reach out within the LGTBQ+ community.”
Njabulo of LGBTQ+ Clare added: “This is Clare reborn, we are ensuring our visibility and taking up space in society with pride. For so long, we have been invisible. We really encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community in Clare to take this survey. This is a great opportunity to have your voice heard.”
“We know there are LGBTQ+ people in Clare of all ages, we know disability activists who are LGBTQ+ and we know too that there are LGBTQ people of migrant, Traveller and Roma backgrounds in Clare and we want to make sure that we hear every voice and view possible. Hopefully this survey can help us set up ways to communicate and build a supportive LGBTQ+ community across these differences.”
The survey is anonymous and confidential, although the findings may be published and used to inform the work of the organisations involved. No one will be identifiable from any report or publication arising from the survey.
The survey will be available until the closing date of March 31st, 2021 at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LGBTQ_Clare
