Midlands LGBT+ groups to cease operation this month

The Midlands LGBT+ Project has announced that the Midlands LGBT+ groups will finish on November 31 until such a time as the service can support itself again.

In recent weeks, the support and advocacy service for LGBT+ adults in Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Kildare was unsuccessful in securing funding from the Government through the LGBTI+ Community Services Funding. They have received this funding for the past three years but will not receive funding for the coming year due to the fund being oversubscribed.

Each month the support service runs approximately 15 social and support groups across the midlands supporting an estimated 200 people per month. These range from trans support groups, an over 50’s group, queer book clubs to coffee meetups and sports groups.

Issuing a statement on social media, the team at Midlands LGBT+ Project said: "This news has had a devastating effect on our service, the people we support and the midlands region.

"Midlands LGBT+ Project will be operating on a very limited capacity until we can secure funding to reestablish our groups. If you are in need of support at this time we urge you to get in contact with us and we will advise and advocate for you as needed.

We are calling on the public to help us try to keep our services running so that the people we support have groups to attend, a space to feel safe, a person to get advice from."

As a very young service, less than three years old, the Midlands LGBT+ Project rely heavily on donations, fundraising events and support from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. So far this year, they have received over 350 help and support enquiries from LGBT+ people and their families in rural Ireland needing help.

You can support the Midlands LGBT+ Project by:

Emailing your local TDs and councillors in Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Kildare, asking them to lobby the Department to provide provisions for rural LGBT+ people in the Midlands.

You can donate to project or buy one of their t-shirts or tote bags them on their website www.midlandslgbtproject.com/support