A NUMBER of local youth groups are working together to develop a youth and adult social and peer support group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender people in Fermanagh.

Youth Action Northern Ireland, Here Northern Ireland, Gay and Lesbian Youth Northern Ireland and The Rainbow Project have experience of working with LGB&/T people and their families for many years and will now develop their work in this area.

With Here NI having already established a women’s group, organisers say this is a great opportunity to build on these foundations.

Gay and Lesbian Youth NI and Youth Action NI will lead on the development of the youth group in Fermanagh.

Roisin McElholm, Youth worker, believes here is a growing urgency for these young people to have programmes and spaces designed specifically to address their needs.

“This new partnership is a breath of fresh air for young LGB&/T people in Fermanagh,” she said.

The Rainbow Project, funded by Together For You and Here NI, will lead on an adult group. These groups will give people who identify as other than straight, the opportunity to engage with social support and structured activities, a safe and non-judgemental space and increased access to professional services.

Malachai O’Hara, Health and Wellbeing Services Manager at The Rainbow Project, said: “LGB&/T people experience significant inequalities and these are exacerbated by invisibility and isolation. Many LGB&/T people may not feel comfortable being ‘out’ or visible in their local communities, as they may perceive that attitudes are less supportive. Additionally, in rural areas, there may be less opportunities to meet other LGB&/T people in safe, non-judgemental environments, or people must travel to the cities to find these safe spaces.” The four organisations in the partnership believe that by establishing these social and peer support groups in the Fermanagh area they can begin to improve the lives of LBG&/ T young people and adults in the Fermanagh area.

Over the summer, they will be hosting a series of open evenings about the groups. If you would like to meet other LGB&/T people or would like to be involved in helping these groups develop contact Roisin on roisin@youthaction.org or 028 6632 8534, or Nuala on Nuala@rainbow-project.org or 028 9031 9030. Open evenings will take place in Enniskillen soon, with the first on June 26 at The Aisling Centre, Darling Street, from 7.30-9.00pm.