During the recent official launch of Outcomers Drogheda, Chair of the group Anthony Kinehan gave a touching speech which summed up exactly what inspired a group of activists to create a new community support system.
“Why are we here? There are lots of positives; legislation, visibility, but there can still be a lot of hostility out there for LGBT+ people. The LGBT+ community in Drogheda is growing. There are a lot more younger people coming out. Since the Marriage Referendum you have more older people coming out. You have more LGBT+ staying in the regional areas rather than migrating to Dublin, so there is more of a need for regional LGBT+ organisations like this. These supports need to be in place. To have somewhere people can go, where they can ask questions, they can be private about it, they can be discreet about it...and that’s the same whether you’re young or old, Irish or not Irish, married or single, settled or a traveller. And while it’s great to have Dublin and Dundalk just down the road, they can feel like a million miles away when you’re feeling vulnerable.”