Looking to efect some positive change in your life come 2018? Here’s a cornucopia of queer options to be getting on with.

Words by Ciara McGrattan.

GET INVOLVED

There are many organisations who work all year round to officer services to LGBTs in need of support. One such organisation, Gay Switchboard Ireland (gayswitchboard.ie), always needs volunteers. If manning the phones is too daunting a prospect, you can help out in other ways, like by fundraising or helping with GSI’s Monthly Condom and Leaflet Drops.

There are plenty of other queer causes to volunteer your services to. Check these out.

NATIONAL LGBT HELPLINE

Volunteer by providing a sympathetic ear or by fundraising – there are lots of ways to get involved. Visit lgbt.ie to find out how.

BELONG TO

This national organisation, which supports LGBT+ young people, often needs volunteers. Visit belongto.org to see how you can get involved.

DUBLIN LESBIAN LINE

The DLL are taking on new volunteers for 2018. Contact info@dublinlesbianline.ie to register your interest.

KNOW NOW

The Know Now Rapid HIV testing project always needs volunteers to further their good work. Visit knownow.ie to see how you can get involved.

LGBTQ PRIDE

Dublin Pride is on June 30 this year, and there’s a whole week long festival in the lead-up. Find out more about volunteering at dublinpride.ie Of course, Dublin isn’t the only place where Pride happens. Why not sign up to give of your services in Cork (corkpride.com), Galway (galwaypride.com), Limerick (limerickpride.ie). You know it makes sense!

SHOUTOUT

Make a real difference to the school lives of LGBT+ young people. Visit shoutout.ie for more information.

GET CREATIVE

There are myriad ways to mingle with other creatively-minded LGBTs. Dublin-based acting group Acting Out stage several theatrical productions throughout the year (like last year’s GALA award-winning, The Ref). Or if singing is more your thing, why not consider joining Glória, the Dublin Gay Men’s Chorus (pictured), or Choral Con Fusion in Cork? Our community is filled with creatives exploring and appreciating every kind of artistic endeavour around.

GLÓRIA LGB CHOIR

Dublin’s longest running LGB choir just get better and better every year. If you want to harmonise, contact info@gloria.ie to find out about auditions.

DUBLIN GAY MEN’S CHORUS

With a repertoire ranging from Negro Spiritual and Renaissance to Disney, to Take That, Dublin’s all male choir has auditions on a regular basis.

FRIENDLY GAY BOOK CLUB

Appreciating wonderful works of literature on the first Wednesday of the month at Outhouse, 8pm Dublin. Contact info@outhouse.ie for information.

ACTING OUT

Award winning drama group for LGBTs at Outhouse, Thursdays, 7.30pm. Contact info@outhouse.ie for more.

FILM QLUB

Showing classic queer cinema, on the third Saturday of the month, 2pm, New Theatre, Temple Bar. Visit filmqlub.com to see what’s playing.