As a friend of mine put it recently, “at least this discrimination is better than the current discrimination”, which is a nice reminder that although this is a step in the right direction, we still have some way to go before we’re all treated equally under the law.

The first part of the documentary itself is showing on Monday evening on RTÉ 1, at 9:30pm.

A two-part documentary series exploring the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people growing up in Ireland.

As recently as 1993, homosexuality was illegal in Ireland. As the first generation born after decriminalisation comes of age, this series seeks to establish how much has changed in Irish society in the intervening years. For young people, whose lives revolve around school and the family, is it any easier to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender today than it was 17 years ago?

Filmed over 18 months, Growing Up Gay follows the lives of six young people and, in the process, captures the challenging and even hostile experiences which lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people face in their everyday lives. The series also explores the more universal experiences of growing up – from the ups and downs of life at home and at school, to friendships and falling in love. By presenting the human stories behind labels such as ‘gay’ or ‘lesbian’, the series aims to alleviate the stigma surrounding various expressions of sexual identity.

Be sure to tell all your friends and family!!

In the past year shOUT! has seen many changes and has achieved so much.
From the first group of the year starting off with our new youth worker, Emma, the group was heading down a new and unknown road. At first the taughts were ‘she isnt Maria’ :) lol, but then she turned up with those lemon and poppy seed buns, yummy!!! she had us won over. What makes it better is that it wasn’t the only time we got to taste her and Maureen’s cooking.
During her time with shOUT! she had us climbing up the walls, in NUIG, which i loved.
She also got us being proactive and giving back to the community, by being one of the only groups in the country to acknowledge and celebrate IDAHO, international day against homophobia and transphobia.
We also drummed in dublin pride, galway pride and limerick pride parades, and also in the NOISE march for equality.
We made a promo video and pod cast with the help of spun out. We also attended the ‘Out on Film’ part of the Galway Film Fleadh 2009.
Also this year 4 of our members traveled to bundoran to an over 18s weekend orgunised Dundalk Out Comers. Sorry to the people who didnt get to go. but it was a good weekend.
Around this stage of the year Emma got her good news, that she had gotten her PHD course. Although great news for her, it wasnt so much for us, because it meant she would b leaving us :( The news though was made more positive when we met Emmas replacement Sara, who has continued to make shOUT! a fun and interesting place to go each and every week.

This past year also saw 3 out of 4 of our regular volunteers leaving us to go to bigger and better places. (Ye need to come back and visit people!!) In their place we now have Niamh and Paul :) So great to work with and determined to do what it takes to keep this group running and always make every1 feel welcome and get every1 involved each week.

Galway pride…what an event. For shOUT! this involved running our own pride events, an open samba lesson, a treasure hunt, drumming in the parade and then our drag show and youth disco. We had people down for Belong2 in dublin and my lgb in limerick, making for a memorable weekend. :D

I just want to say thanks to you all, friends old and new, for making this year such a good one.

and lets made next year even better!! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

So..what does Christmas mean to you?  This time of year conjures various emotions and memories in each of us – I know it certainly does for me. I just wanted to share a few thoughts of mine on this festive season.

Christmas is about celebration and being at home (where-ever and whatever home means to you).  However there is also an undercurrent of sadness around this time of year. Sometimes it can be a lonely reminder of the special people who do not have a physical presence in my life anymore but who remain with me in other ways.  It can remind me of lost innocence, it can remind me that life is short, too fleeting and that petty fighting is pointless. It can throw light on the issue of poverty – the gap between the rich and the poor, it can remind me never to eat my body weight in sweets ever again! Ultimately, for me,  it’s the time of year when I really take stock of what I have in my life that I am thankful for.  This is the first Christmas that I have been in involved in ShOUT! I am truly thankful for that.

ShOUT! has helped me reach a greater peace with my sexuality and I couldn’t think of a better present to give.  Each unique person that I have come across through ShOUT! has been a pleasure to meet and I have learned a lot from every one of you in many ways . It means a lot to me to be part of this group. I feel lucky and very thankful. I look forward to what the new year will bring for ShOUT!

Around Christmas there are lots of messages of peace to be seen. Peace is beautiful.  You can’t see peace or touch peace but you can see and feel the effects of it. When you reach an inner peace you can tackle anything. You are strengthened by this force and it gently shows you that you never have to feel ashamed of who you are and never, ever feel ashamed of who you love. Love is greater than anything. I truly believe this.  If you love a man or a woman or a cat it doesn’t matter. Do not feel embarrassed for loving anyone. Your feelings are your own. They are yours and no-one has the right to judge or dismiss them.

So now that I most definitely sound like a peace- loving and love-loving hippy, I will wrap this up (get it? wrap up like the way we wrap presents!) That’s how I roll man.

I wish you all a lovely Christmas and I hope to see you all at the ShOUT! Christmas party on Sat Dec19th! Being part of ShOUT! has made me a stronger person and it has been a true gift this year providing light, insight and introducing new friends into my life.  I feel part of something that is truly worthwhile. I am thankful for the gift of the experiences I’ve had with you all in 2009. Nollaig shona duit, eat lots and enjoy being jolly.

Your friend niamh :)

I am currently going to a lifeskills workshop with the people from Headsup and I find it really really insightful and would recommend it to anyone no matter what walk of life you are from. It is so important to never ever ignore your mental health just as you should not ignore your physical health.  In the words of a rather smart man Dr. William Menninger “mental health problems do not affect three or four out of every five persons but one out of one”.

So there you go- that is the “headsup” on HeadsUp…!   :)

Everyone will have their own, and they’ll all be different. I think it’s absolutely legend, and that’s why I added it to the site. Heh. It’ll show up whenever you comment on a post on the site.

What do ye think of them?