Aiteach is ainm dom

Aiteach is ainm dom - My name is Queer

Help Belong To create an Ireland ​where LGBTQ+ young people are safe and empowered.

Ireland should be a place where LGBTQ+ people are celebrated and feel safe. Unfortunately this year there has been an increase in the incidents of LGBTQ young people facing homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and hate across Ireland. This has to stop. That’s why this Pride I am raising funds for Belong To, LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland.

Belong To work to create an Ireland where LGBTQ+ young people are safe in their homes, schools and communities. They do amazing work empowering young LGBTQ+ people to have their voices heard, keeping young people safe on social media, providing safe spaces and so much more.

Unfortunately, we know that a lot of LGBTQ+ young people don’t feel safe in schools, communities, or homes in Ireland. This can be due to -

Chris Murphy (chrisisainmdom):

Coming out at school really wasn’t an option for me. Unfortunately, there was a horrible, toxic homophobic atmosphere in the school I attended. In stark contrast to how I live today, I was quite reserved and wanted to blend into the background and keep my head down. Choosing to ‘act straight’ was a defence mechanism which I employed to just make it through my schooling. I always wish there was more of a support network that could’ve accessed.

Coming out to my friends and family was a pivotal moment in my life. I was in college and had made new friends who knew my ‘secret’ which made it a little easier to approach telling long-time friends and my family. It took a lot of courage to share my truth and reveal my authentic self. I remember the mixed emotions I felt when I decided to come out to my parents. It was a blend of fear, anticipation, and hope for acceptance. Opening up about my sexuality brought both liberation and vulnerability. It was liberating to no longer hide a significant part of who I am, but it also made me vulnerable to judgment and discrimination and I was so thankful to be able to be out and open which those I care about.

Contrary to what you may see online, I do feel very vulnerable as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Unfortunately, I experienced harassment that escalated to physical altercations. Walking home alone at night often filled me with anxiety and fear. The knowledge that there were people out there who might target me because of my identity made me hyper aware of my surroundings. There were instances where I encountered verbal abuse and taunting, which made me feel like I was constantly on guard, never knowing when a situation might escalate. The memories of those times when I faced verbal and physical altercations because of my LGBTQ+ identity still haunt me. It was a painful reminder that prejudice and discrimination can manifest in violent ways. Feeling unsafe as an LGBTQ+ young person left a lasting impact on my mental and emotional well-being. It forced me to be cautious and selective about the spaces I inhabited and the people I trusted. These experiences highlight the urgent need for safe spaces and support networks for LGBTQ+ individuals. No one should have to live in constant fear or face violence simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

As a young person growing up in Ireland, the work that Belong To does to empower and protect young people is hugely important to me. Growing up it would have been massively beneficial to me to know that a charity like Belong To existed and that they were on hand to support me if I needed. While they have done some amazing work, there is still so much work to do and that’s where your donation comes in!

This Pride, let’s help Belong To create an Ireland where LGBTQ+ young people feel safe, valued and equal in all corners of society in Ireland.

Your donation will help Belong To :

Thank you so much for your support. It's really appreciated!