I welcome the grant of €98,000 to the Midlands LGBT+ Project for operating costs for the coming year.
This funding will help Midlands LGBT+ to support LGBT+ people to feel safe, welcome and included in the communities of Laois, Offaly, Kildare and Westmeath. It may be coincidental that this announcement comes during the 16 Days of Action against gender-based violence but it is related: A report on gender-based violence to be submitted to the Offaly Joint Policing Committee today will highlight that LGBT+ people are more likely to feel at risk of gender-based harassment in public spaces and modify their behaviour because of this.
We need a cultural shift and projects like Midlands LGBT+, the supports they provide and the events they organise are of immense importance in this. I also welcome the funding of projects with a nationwide remit and am especially grateful that rural communities are to be especially supported with this funding. I look forward to seeing LGBT+ inclusion in everything from arts to youth work, advocacy to legal advice over the coming months.
For more information on the LGBT + Community Service fund please see: gov.ie - Minister O’Gorman announces 27 projects to be funded under the 2022 LGBTI+ Community Services Funding Call (www.gov.ie)