Latest news with #BelongTo
Irish Daily Mirror
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Gay GAA star admits nerves at football return after 'coming out' on podcast
Gay football star Kevin Penrose has opened up about his nerves returning to the sport after launching his podcast. The Tyrone player admitted he felt like he had to 'come out' all over again when he did his GAA Social podcast earlier this year. Kevin had told his family, friends and team-mates in 2022. He said of going back to playing: 'I remember the first match back… I thought, OK, the majority of these lads have most likely listened to this podcast in the past couple of weeks and I know they know. 'So I felt nervous walking across the pitch and in the changing rooms, you get that bit of paranoia. 'But everything was grand. You meet different lads at the changing room doors, they'd shake your hand and say well done. 'It brings you back, you just don't know what to expect.' Since launching his own podcast, the GAA Social, the travel influencer, 31, said it has helped many people feel comfortable with their sexuality. He added: 'Even to this day... like the podcast was how many months ago. 'I came out three years ago, but the podcast felt like I was coming out again but to a much larger audience and really honing in on that GAA demographic, which is teenagers to 60 plus year olds. 'People even come up to me in person and shake my hand…it's hard to know what to say to them in those moments because every journey is different but I'm glad they're finding some sort of comfort in it that they can see there is so much goodness and joy on the other side. 'I was guilty of it myself. I keep thinking that everything would go wrong in my life and you never stop to think that everything could go right so I'm glad that people have taken something from it.' But he said he found it hard reading the negative comments about his sexuality. He added: 'It was more like on Facebook. The comments were completely different to what I'd see on Instagram. 'Again, Facebook is a different demographic and they're older. 'I think people were just saying again, 'Why is this guy making a song and dance about coming out?' Pride month for example, like asking 'why do we need Pride month?' You're sort of answering your own question with your ignorance because this is exactly why we need it. 'I've been very lucky I haven't experienced anything negative. 'The likes of people on Facebook probably didn't even listen to the podcast, they just see the headline.' Kevin was speaking at the launch of SuperValu's new limited-edition Pride themed Bag for Life. Available this month in SuperValu stores across the country, the bold and bright rainbow tote is set to be the must-have bag of the summer and is available to purchase for €3. Profits will go to Belong To – LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland, the national LGBTQ+ youth organisation. Kevin said: 'I am delighted to team up with SuperValu for this important campaign supporting the incredible work of Belong To. As someone who has been through the journey of coming out within the GAA community, I'm incredibly passionate about allyship, and inclusion both on and off the pitch. 'By buying one of these bags and 'Carrying it with Pride', you are sending a powerful message that no matter who you are, you belong. 'I hope a campaign like this not only gives people the courage to be themselves but also reminds everyone to stand up and be proud allies for the LGBTQ+ community.'
The Irish Sun
19-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘It's total disrespect' – Cork dual star vents at Camogie Association & LGFA over latest ‘avoidable' fixture clash
HANNAH LOONEY believes Cork's dual trio are being looked upon as 'a nuisance' as they prepare to tackle another fixtures clash. Looney, Aoife Healy and Libby Coppinger are members of the Rebels' camogie and football panels — both of whom are in Championship action on Saturday afternoon. 2 Looney is an All-Ireland winner in both codes 2 She was speaking as SuperValu launched a limited edition Pride-themed tote bag, priced at €3, with all profits going to 'Belong To', the national LGBTQ+ youth organisation The camogie side will be expected to take a step closer to a third All-Ireland in a row by seeing off Clare at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. A must-win fixture awaits the footballers, who make the 250km journey to Castlebar to take on Mayo. An All-Ireland winner in both codes, Looney is no stranger to such dilemmas. And she hopes they become a thing of the past when the integration of the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association — which has been optimistically targeted for 2027 — is complete. Read More On GAA The 28-year-old said: 'I'm grateful to be from Cork and to be a part of two set-ups that encourage us to play, because they appreciate our value and want us involved in both. 'But you'd hope maybe when integration comes along and you have one fixtures committee that this can be resolved. "I used to have a bit of sympathy for the associations because of the split-season and there's a lot of games to get through. 'But it's total disrespect and you just don't feel valued at all.' Most read in GAA Football With Looney acknowledging that the meeting with Mayo is 'do or die', she and Healy will lend their efforts to the football cause this weekend. Coppinger is set to be on camogie duty. Looney said: 'When I first started playing dual almost ten years ago now, it kind of felt like in general from society and from the organisations that we were a lot more valued and a lot more respected. 'Just in time for Father's Day' - Dublin GAA legends welcome the birth of precious baby daughter 'Whereas now it feels like it's more a nuisance to everyone, which is really disappointing when we're still trying so hard to keep it alive down in Cork. 'There are three weekends for the LGFA fixtures. This clash was so avoidable. But here we are again. 'What more can we do to just totally eradicate the dual player? It's frustrating for us as players.' HANNAH LOONEY was speaking as SuperValu launched a limited edition Pride-themed tote bag, priced at €3, with all profits going to 'Belong To', the national LGBTQ+ youth organisation.
Irish Independent
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Beloved Clare pub to host Pride event in collaboration with An Post and Dublin-based magazine
The event, taking place in Pot Duggan's on June 25, is a Pride edition of the An Post initiative 'Letters to My Future Self'. The initiative has seen An Post partner with District, an online magazine based in Dublin which focuses on the music, culture, art, food, film and TV of Ireland, to host events where people can write notes to themselves in 2026. They have already held an incredibly successful event in Dublin's Tang Food for the launch of the initiative, but this event in the Banner County will be different. 'As with every Letters to My Future Self event, we're inviting you to reflect, through art, letters, and presence, on who you were, who you are, and who you're becoming,' District said. 'Pride is about visibility, but it's also about imagining a future that can include everyone in the community. 'We want this night to be both a celebration and a time capsule: a reminder of the power of personal expression in all its forms.' The 'celebration of LGBTQ+ voices and futures' will feature spoken word and live music, alongside drinks and food. 'Pride in the West' will kick off at 6.45pm with guests treated to welcome drinks and pizza, allowing time for those attending to mingle ahead of the 7.30pm show kick off. Attendees have been told to expect 'an evening of music, spoken-word poetry, and storytelling that shines a light on rural LGBTQ+ voices'. So far, the line-up features: Branwen Kavanagh – a multidisciplinary artist who is known for 'blending folklore, poetry, and puppetry into otherworldly performance art'. Maeve Abyss – 'a spoken word poet from the U.S. whose dark humour and immersive visuals bring new dimensions to live storytelling'. Molly Sterling – 'the introspective singer-songwriter whose haunting melodies hit straight in the chest'. The host - Brendan Egan. 'Brendan is a visual artist, lecturer and speaker known for work in the evolving exploration of the entanglement between self, place, and the layered complexities of LGBTQ+ identity.' As well as providing a beautiful night for the LGBTQ+ community in Clare and further afield, the event is raising money for an extremely important charity – Belong To. Belong To support LGBTQ+ people aged between 14 and 23 across Ireland. Tickets for 'Pride in the West' can be purchased through Eventbrite -
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New guidance launched in Ireland to support LGBTQ+ inclusion in mental health services
On June 6, a landmark new guidance was launched in Ireland to support staff working across mental health services in delivering more inclusive and equitable care to LGBTQ+ people. The document follows a review that highlighted how LGBTQ+ people face disproportionate levels of mental distress and unmet needs. Launched this morning at the LGBT Ireland National Conference, the guidance was produced by the Mental Health Commission with the aim of providing accessible guidance to mental health professionals. The document offers 'a deeper understanding' of the unique challenges that LGBTQ+ people face when accessing mental health services in Ireland. The guidance is based on an evidence review which highlighted the disproportionate levels of mental distress and unmet needs members of the LGBTQ+ community face, especially young people and trans individuals. The review found high rates of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and self-injury among LGBTQ+ people. Moreover, it highlighted a prevalence of anxiety, depression and eating disorders among gender and sexual minorities. These findings are supported by other research conducted in Ireland, including Belong To's Being LGBTQI+ in Ireland research and the My LGBTI+ Voice Matters study. These studies have highlighted how LGBTQ+ individuals experience a higher mental health burden in comparison to the general population. Visualizza questo post su Instagram Un post condiviso da Belong To (@belongtoyouthservices) LGBT Ireland welcomed the launch of the document, with CEO Paula Fagan saying it is a 'practical and much-needed' guidance. She added, 'This document is a vital step toward changing that trajectory by equipping staff with the tools and awareness they need to treat LGBTQIA+ service users with dignity, understanding and respect.' Chief Executive of the Mental Health Commission John Farrelly commented, saying: 'Many LGBTQIA+ people face significant mental health challenges that may not always be adequately addressed. 'Our guidance document is a response to that reality,' Farrelly added. 'It recognises that even where staff only have a surface-level understanding of LGBTQIA+ issues, their openness to learn and evolve is key to delivering truly inclusive care. This guidance is a call to action for mental health services to continue to become more responsive, affirming, and equitable.' Minister of State for Mental Health Mary Butler also welcomed the guidance, saying: 'Everyone who uses a mental health service should feel confident that they can access services which are inclusive, compassionate and completely non-judgmental. 'I encourage all those who deliver and work in mental health services to implement the important and practical steps contained in the guidance.' The post New guidance launched in Ireland to support LGBTQ+ inclusion in mental health services appeared first on GCN.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Intersex people in Ireland suffer "poor mental health", new report finds
A newly published report by Trinity College Dublin, in partnership with Belong To and Intersex Ireland, has revealed a deeply concerning mental health crisis among intersex people living in Ireland. Released on May 14, the report is titled Healthcare experiences, wellbeing and mental health of people who have variations in sex characteristics in Ireland and is a focused sub-report of the wider Being LGBTQI+ in Ireland study, published in 2024. The report analyses responses from 31 individuals who identified as intersex and uncovers high levels of psychological distress across a number of indicators. Despite the limited sample size, the findings are stark and echo similar patterns seen in international studies. Among the key statistics: 61% reported moderate or severe symptoms of depression 68% experienced moderate or severe anxiety 50% reported moderate or severe levels of stress 38% were found to be at risk of an eating disorder 60% had self-harmed 74% had experienced suicidal thoughts, with the average age of first ideation just 14 50% had attempted suicide 50% said they were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their body Professor Agnes Higgins, who led the research team, commented on the findings, saying: 'While the number of respondents is small, the levels of distress they report cannot be ignored. These findings mirror global evidence of poor mental health outcomes for intersex people and highlight an urgent need to address how healthcare systems and wider society support and understand this community.' Participants pointed to the stigma surrounding intersex variations as a major driver of poor mental health. Many shared that the way others responded to their identity—often with confusion, silence or rejection—caused significant psychological harm. Respondents described feeling isolated and misunderstood, frequently left out of societal conversations due to the persistent binary view of sex and gender. The report also brings attention to the lasting impact of non-consensual or poorly explained medical interventions, sometimes referred to as 'corrective' procedures carried out to make intersex bodies fit binary norms. These include surgeries and hormonal treatments often performed during infancy or childhood. Participants reported enduring a wide range of negative outcomes from these interventions, including chronic pain, urinary and sexual dysfunction, sleep problems, mental health issues, gender dysphoria, and body image struggles. Worryingly, 16% of participants did not know whether they had undergone medical interventions, reflecting a lack of transparency and communication around such procedures. Several also questioned whether they had been able to give meaningful consent, particularly where interventions occurred at a young age or without full understanding of the risks involved. The report concludes with a strong call for systemic change particularly in the areas of healthcare, education, and policy. It urges training for healthcare professionals, improved access to mental health support, and an end to non-consensual medical interventions on intersex children. It also calls for greater public understanding and respect for bodily diversity. Board Member at Intersex Ireland, Dr Adeline Berry, commented on the research, saying: 'This report could not be timelier as anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric spreads seemingly unchecked with the rise of fascism, foretelling troubling times ahead for our communities. Recent research from the European Union shows sharp increases in violence and discrimination against intersex people, as well as transgender people. 'Because of the lack of intersex awareness in medical and mental health settings, intersex people in Ireland and elsewhere struggle to access adequate and appropriate care. Although we comprise as much as 1.7 percent of the population, we are rendered invisible through a combination of factors including stigma, shame and a lack of cultural representation, as well as secretive medical practices.' Overall, this report paints a stark picture of the lived experiences of intersex people in Ireland and highlights the urgent need for action to ensure dignity, autonomy, and wellbeing. The post Intersex people in Ireland suffer "poor mental health", new report finds appeared first on GCN.
