A total of 21 service providers around the country, including two in Laois, will receive a total of €150,000 in funding under the 2021 LGBTI+ Capacity Building Grant Scheme according to a local senator.
“Under the grant scheme family support services will receive up to €15,000 to support their work with LGBTI+ young people and their families,” said Senator Fiona O’Loughlin.
“ The scheme will fund evidence-based LGBTI+ training and guidelines for family support professionals and youth services, with a focus on Trans and gender-related issues. This LGBTI+ Capacity Building Grant scheme is a collaboration between the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth and Tusla: The Child and Family Agency.”
A total of €4,000 has been earmarked for Laois Youth Services (Youth Work Ireland Laois) and €2,970 for Portlaoise Community and Family Resource Centre.
The funding announcement comes on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, which was created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex people and all other people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.
Speaking about the announcement, Senator O’Loughlin said:“ The organisations receiving this funding do fantastic work, supporting young people and their families throughout the country. This International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, it’s right that we recognise the unique challenges faced by LGBTI+ people and help build capacity among providers of family support services to work with LGBTI+ young people and their families,” Senator O’Loughlin concluded.