LOOKING FOR DIRECTION? Here’s our support page to help you deal with some of the issues that can arise from being gay, or wondering if you might be.
Coming to terms with your sexuality and living a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transsexual lifestyle can entail a whole range of problems. You might feel confused or isolated. You might feel alienated from the gay scene or gay culture. Health worries can arise, or discrimination might become a problem. The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone. The individuals, groups and organisations listed below offer a wide range of services—psychological, social and health-based.Within CIT
Daniel, Welfare Officer
T (021) 49 33 123 •
E suwelfare@cit.ie
Anti-gay discrimination in the college falls within the remit of the Welfare
Officer. If you feel you are a victim of homophobia, Daniel will be happy to
help you. If you’re seeking counselling, he can also direct you a qualified
psychotherapist, whose services are provided free of charge.
Local Resources
Gay Information Cork
T (021) 427 1087 •
E gayswitchcork@hotmail.com
The helpline is open on Wednesdays and Fridays, 7–9pm.
Cork Lesbian
Line (CLL)
T (021) 431 8318
Open on Thursday evenings from 8–10pm.
L.Inc (Lesbians Incorporated)
11A, White St. • T
(021) 4808600• E
L.Inc@oceanfree.net
Resource centre for gay and bisexual women, which holds a drop-in on Thursdays
from 8–10pm and on Tuesdays from 12–3pm. Besides providing this
informal meeting space, the centre organises a range of activities, including
a film group, a web group and various one-off events. A mailing list is also
in place to network the community; to add your name simply contact the centre.
The Other Place
8 South Main St. • T
(021) 427 8470
Resource centre which runs a number of groups and programs, including Unplugged!
(a social group for gay men), as well as personal development courses. Also
incorporates the Southern Gay Health Project—information and education
for gay men about HIV/AIDS and health issues (same phone number as above +
extension 205).
Cork TV/TS and Gender Group
T (088) 211 5576 (Friday
7–10pm)
Supporting transvestites, transsexuals and people with gender issues.
Garda Eleanor O’Kelly, Garda Liaison Officer
Bridewell Station, Cornmarket St. •
T (021) 427 0681
As Liaison Officer for Cork’s gay community, Garda O’Kelly is committed
to ensuring equality for all and is also sensitive to the needs of those requiring
discretion.
The Alliance
16 Peter St. •
T (021) 427 5837 •
F (021) 427 4370
Cork’s centre for sexual health. Providing general information and advice
on health and welfare, the centre runs education programmes in the community
as well as maintaining a drop-in facility. Besides this aspect, The Alliance
acts as a support network for those affected by HIV/AIDS. Home support, complementary
therapies and respite are amongst the services provided, as well as AIDS helplines
(see below).
AIDS Helpline Cork
T (021) 427 6676 •
T (021) 427 5615 (young person’s helpline)
Both helplines are open Monday–Friday from 10am–5pm and also Tuesday
7–9pm.
STD Clinic, Victoria Hospital
Infirmary Rd. • T (021) 496 6844
Outpatients—Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9.30–11.45am and Wednesday from 2.30–4.30pm
National Resources
Tadhg O'Brien, LGB Rights Officer, Union of Students
in Ireland
Ceann Áras na MacLéinn, Grattan St., Dublin 2 •
T (01) 435 3400 and 087 607 9018 • E
lgb@usi.ie
Tadhg works to provide support and information for LGB students and societies
in colleges around the country. In addition to this, he campaigns on LGB
issues and promotes awareness of same. USI’s LGB Campaign also runs
Pink Training, an annual training event for LGB students. (The services of
the LGB RO are available to CIT students regardless of the fact that the CIT
isn’t affiliated to the USI.)
The Equality Authority
2 Clonmel St., Dublin 2 •
T (01) 417 3333 and 1890 245545 •
E info@equality.ie
This organisation acts as a sort of ‘Minorities Ombudsman’. As
well as providing advice, it deals with complaints of discrimination in such
fields as education, employment and commerce.
Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN)
E ghs@nexus.ie
A service provided by Dublin’s queer community resource centre OUThouse.
(See also the Support Resources section of our Links page.)