Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Dublin Pride parade Photocall Ireland

Access to gay youth service increased over 250 per cent in three years

BeLongTo said that the age profile of those seeking its services has also dropped.

THERE’S BEEN AN overall increase of 264 per cent in young people accessing the BeLongTo services between 2008 and 2011.

BeLongTo, a national organisation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender young people delivers youth work services, awareness campaigns and training for people who work with young people.

The launch of the group’s annual report for 2011 has revealed that there was an increase of 28 per cent in young people accessing its services last year, while the age profile of those seeking its services has also dropped with youth workers now providing support to LGBT people and their families at 12-13 years of age.

New LGBT youth groups opened in Sligo, Mayo, Tallaght, Kilkenny, Tralee and Wexford in 2011 bringing the number of groups in BeLongTo’s national network to 14.

In Dublin 20 per cent more young people accessed services last year, while outside that capital that figure grew to 53 per cent.

Launching the Annual Review, Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs said:

No young person should be made suffer because of who they are and for this reason my Department is very proud to support BeLonG To’s important work.

BeLongTo has worked with the HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention and the One Foundation in an effort to address the issue of homophobic bullying and brought an awareness campaign to every secondary school in Ireland.

The campaign also received international recognition by UNESCO and was translated into seven different languages.

The review also found that there was a shift in online engagement by young LGBT people.

Historically, online engagement had been informal once- off interactions, but in 2011 the online engagement shifted dramatically to a more regular and in-depth use of online resources and tools for support.

In 2011, 51% of online visitors returned to the site more than once and spent on average 25% more time engaging with the organisation online.

Column: Homophobic bullying is taking young lives, yet it’s treated as harmless>

New figures on homophobic bullying ‘not surprising’

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
22 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luke Kavanagh
    Favourite Luke Kavanagh
    Report
    Jul 4th 2012, 3:31 PM

    Marched with belongto at pride Yay! :)

    85
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gary Martin
    Favourite Gary Martin
    Report
    Jul 4th 2012, 4:42 PM

    Mrs Cat has nothing better to do everyone her comments are always the same!!!

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor Buggy
    Favourite Conor Buggy
    Report
    Jul 4th 2012, 5:37 PM

    If ever there was a cat that needed drowning…….

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrew Telford
    Favourite Andrew Telford
    Report
    Jul 4th 2012, 9:56 PM

    Yeah…. Because since the ‘recession’ hit all those idle THIRTEEN YEAR OLDS find themselves out of work and with nothing to do but question their sexuality online…

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kilkenny Cat
    Favourite Kilkenny Cat
    Report
    Jul 4th 2012, 3:42 PM

    It all ties in with the recession. Idle hands are the devil’s work.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fiona Mullen
    Favourite Fiona Mullen
    Report
    Jul 4th 2012, 3:52 PM

    Are you serious?!

    91
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sluazcanal
    Favourite Sluazcanal
    Report
    Jul 4th 2012, 4:05 PM

    No shes not serious. she is a relatively new troll on the journal.

    83
    See 13 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tyrion Lannister
    Favourite Tyrion Lannister
    Report
    Jul 4th 2012, 4:13 PM

    There is not enough facepalm in the world for Kilkenny Cat

    77
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Barry
    Favourite Alan Barry
    Report
    Jul 4th 2012, 4:22 PM

    It’s people like this that make the rest of us laugh, entertainment gold!

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute King Olaf
    Favourite King Olaf
    Report
    Jul 4th 2012, 4:24 PM

    How exactly does it tie in with recession?? And will you please stop posting deliberately antagonistic remarks involving your religious beliefs….or if you have to do it, at least pick a cool fictional god to go on about….

    Jesus promised the end of all wicked people.
    Odin promised the end of all ice giants.

    …I don’t see many ice giants around these days

    56
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Dempsey
    Favourite Patrick Dempsey
    Report
    Jul 4th 2012, 4:26 PM

    I don’t see how trying to work to save the lives of young gay people can be linked to money. Stop trolling, it’s really pathetic.

    74
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Downes
    Favourite Mark Downes
    Report
    Jul 4th 2012, 4:35 PM

    It seems so. Your idle hands are certainly working overtime. Why don’t you play with some wool or something, Mrs Cat.

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerard Raymond Roe
    Favourite Gerard Raymond Roe
    Report
    Jul 4th 2012, 5:48 PM

    Crazy cat lady

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Genevieve Foley
    Favourite Genevieve Foley
    Report
    Jul 4th 2012, 7:03 PM

    @Kilkenny Cat……….I hate Cat’s – but I LURRRRRRRRRRRRRRVE PUSSY !! Go back into your cave woman we dont need backward peeps like you on this planet – there was an error made in your production chart upstairs thats for sure….

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Larson
    Favourite Mark Larson
    Report
    Jul 4th 2012, 7:17 PM

    I bet you would not like her pussy.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tommy C
    Favourite Tommy C
    Report
    Jul 4th 2012, 10:43 PM

    Kilkenny cat is just angry that no hot lesbians have been using their idle hands to rub her up and down!

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Old Nokia Charger
    Favourite Old Nokia Charger
    Report
    Jul 5th 2012, 1:38 AM

    @ Kilkenny Cat

    You are a moral disgrace.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joey Teehan
    Favourite Joey Teehan
    Report
    Jul 5th 2012, 10:46 AM

    I would have stronger words for what you are but I am sure it would be removed. You are actually picking on kids now. A lot of which have mental health issues as a result of PEOPLE LIKE YOU. You’re an embarrassment to your county and country.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Old Nokia Charger
    Favourite Old Nokia Charger
    Report
    Jul 5th 2012, 11:21 AM

    Well said, Joey.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute connor graham
    Favourite connor graham
    Report
    Jul 5th 2012, 1:12 PM

    Kilkenny cat looks a bit like a tranny/troll

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Genevieve Foley
    Favourite Genevieve Foley
    Report
    Jul 4th 2012, 7:28 PM

    @Mark Larson – she probably doesnt even know she has one ;-)

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Old Nokia Charger
    Favourite Old Nokia Charger
    Report
    Jul 5th 2012, 1:37 AM

    LOL

    5
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds