More than €12,000 in Government funding is to go towards two leading LGBT+ organisations in Galway, which one TD has welcomed as a move to helping combat homophobia and prejudice.
Amach! Galway is to receive €7,000, while ShOUT! LGBT+ Youth Group will receive €5,760. Fine Gael Galway West TD Hildegarde Naughton, who had advocated on behalf of such services, said she was "pleased the Government has recognised the role these organisations play in combating" prejudice against the gay community.
However, she noted that "while Ireland is certainly a more welcoming place for LGBTI+ young people than it was", lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people "still experience" intolerance, discrimination and inequality.
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"Many still feel they need to hide their sexual or gender identity for fear of negative reactions," she said. “While we might think things have 'moved on' and everything is now fine for our LGBT+ young people, the reality is that some are still being asked to leave home after coming out to their families.
"Life remains extremely difficult for many such young people and we need to be as supportive as possible, both as a community and as a Government. However, much more needs to be done to ensure that our LGBT+ young people are supported to the greatest extent possible.”
