News

Funded by The Community Foundation for Ireland, The country’s first national helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people - LGBT Helpline 1890 929 539 - went live today, providing a long awaited nationwide service for the over 300,000 lgbt people living in Ireland.  

Statistics from the eight locally based lgbt helplines which have existed up to now highlight the sometimes hidden story of lgbt people throughout the country. In 2009, over 2,000 calls were made to these local based services alone. The majority of callers were men and women between 25 and 45 years of age, many of whom were living outside large urban areas.  

Dave Roche of the LGBT Helpline said these facts contradicted the perception that most calls to such services would be from younger people. 

“In reality callers to local lines are very often older men and women, living in areas with few lgbt supports who are experiencing loneliness or isolation,” Roche said. Many are simply looking to be heard without judgement, to be understood and to get information on other supports available.”

“This new lgbt helpline is for everyone, every age and every issue,” he continued. “Being gay, lesbian, bisexual ar transgender doesn’t have to restrict your career, your emotions, your community, your friendships or family life. This helpline is about helping lgbt people and their families realise this and to understand that life can get better if they make a call to one of our experienced volunteers. ”

Bernardine Quinn, also of the national LGBT Helpline spoke about the first time she rang a helpline:

“I was about 17 or 18 and I remember pulling the phone from the hall into the sitting room so nobody could hear me,” she said. “The first thing I did was hang up the minute I heard a voice at the other end of the line. Then I rang again and heard somebody say ‘lesbian’. That was the first time I really registered that word. I hung up again. Then, on the third time, I spoke. That sense that somebody knew where you were coming from and that you were not on your own was such a relief.”

Tina Roche, Chief Executive of the Community Foundation for Ireland, who funded the initiative, welcomed the launch of the Helpline saying “Today is a really exciting day for the LGBT sector in Ireland. A dedicated network of trained volunteers using the cutting edge in helpline technology will mean a much better service, no matter where in the country you are. The Community Foundation is proud to have provided the funding to make the dream a reality”.

The new helpline was launched by RTE newscaster Michael Murphy. The number is 1 890 929 539. It is the initiative of the eight existing local helplines. The website is www.lgbt.ie. It will operate initially between 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Friday.