LGBT Ireland - Helpline - Interview
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The LGBT Ireland National Helpline launched in November 2010, bringing together volunteers from around the country to create a streamlined service for Ireland’s queer community by Ireland’s queer community. Brian Dillon gets an update on why the service is just as important as ever.
Since its launch, the National Helpline and its volunteers have continued to provide a listening ear for callers who get in contact about a range of struggles, personal issues, and even moments of celebration.
It operates on evenings and weekends, with volunteers given training that empowers them to listen, relate, and signpost people to any relevant services they might need. The main reasons people called the helpline in 2022 were related to sexuality, coming out and gender identity, among others. While certain elements of the queer experience in Ireland have come on in leaps and bounds in recent decades, LGBTQ+ people here still face unique challenges where a listening ear from someone who also identifies as queer could do the world of good.
This was the sentiment of LGBT Ireland CEO Paula Fagan, who explained how the service came into existence, why people use it, and why it remains as important a resource as ever in 2023.