A Table Quiz in Aid of shOUT! will take place at 6:30pm on Monday, May17th (after the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia ceremony). It will take place in Sheridan’s bar on the docks. €5 per person, per entry, ideal to come with teams of 4-6, but if you’re joining us solo, that’s okay too, we’ll put you with a team. Hope to see you there!!!
Hey all, here at shOUT!, we’re very aware that many of you are under a bit of pressure in relation to school/college work. Therefore we have the perfect Saturday workshop planned for you: relaxation and meditation. Learn skills and ways of relaxing, even during this very busy (and stressful) season.
International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia
IDAHO is International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.
Campaigns and initiatives take place on May 17th every year in countries around the world to combat prejudice against LGBT people. May 17th is the chosen date, as it marks the anniversary of the day in 1990 when the World Health Organistaion removed homosexuality from its list of mental diseases.
This is a unifying movement which represents an opportunity to raise an essential awareness about homophobia and transphobia past and present, right here in Ireland and across the globe.
Posters will be displayed around the city and a small ceremony with speeches and a balloon release will take place in Eyre Square at 5pm. All are welcome to attend.
Hey all! We’ve gotten some new games for the group – Articulate (similar to Taboo, which was a hit at one of the Saturday groups), Jenga, the Logo Board Game and Guesstures. We’re gonna give them a go on Saturday should be a bit of craic. Hope to see you there!
Hey everyone, hope all is well. Just a wee note on how the latest Samba workshop went on Sat 24th April.
It was a fairly small group but we made a lot of noise! Everyone did brilliantly and I was very impressed as it was some peoples first time at it! It sounded great by the end of our workshop. Val was epic on her shaker and like a true professional, she played despite having an elbow injury – hats off to that dedication Val! Thanks to everyone who participated. A big well done!
I got involved in samba drumming a year ago and I still get a great buzz from doing it a year on. It doesn’t matter if you have a musical backround or not, though a little bit of rhythm can go a long way! In literally the space of a hour a lot can be accomplished and it is the most rewarding feeling when the piece of music comes together. Aoife our samba drummer teacher is excellent, has lots of patience and has a great ability to get everyone confident in their part. A big thanks to her for all her hard work.
What I love about samba drumming in a group is how each individual has an independent role in the piece, however we must always be listening out for everyone else, and we all rely on each to make it work. No matter if you’re on the surdo, the bells, the shakers, snare drum or the repinique – you have a part to play. I love the way music can bring people from all walks of life together.
If you haven’t tried samba, I thoroughly recommend you give it a go, you will not regret it! Lots of fun!
And on that note, just a reminder that we will be meeting tomorrow at the Gaf at 6:30 to start practicing for our upcoming fund raiser for the Bank holiday. Beginners are welcome! So come one, come all. Hope to see you there!
Niamh
It’s this time of year and Samba will begin in full force! We are having another Samba workshop this Saturday to introduce the lovely musical sounds to those who have never tried it, and those who have (and love it!). So, prepare your ears for the sounds of Samba! We will also begin weekly practices on Tuesday, 27th of April and have been asked to participate in Youth Work Ireland Galway’s Flag day on Monday May 3rd (1-3pm). Hope to see you there!
The two of the participants in the “Growing Up Gay” documentary were on the Late Late show last night. It’s available to watch on RTÉ’s iPlayer. (jump to about 1 hour into the video).
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.
Hi everybody. Niamh here, I Hope you are all well and good and enjoying the sunshine we are having in beautiful Galway and of course those of you who are living further a field. : )
On Saturday April 10th, as part of the BeLonG To Youth Service’s STAND UP! Campaign against homophobic bullying of lgbt young people, we did a collage of positive lgbt celebrities. There was quite a range of people who ended up on our collage, we had musicians, athletes, politicians, artists, philosophers! It was nice to see people from all walks of life who are out and proud of their sexuality.
I have the utmost admiration for the STAND UP campaign and the light it is shedding on homophobia. It’s fantastic and a reminder to us all to never let anyone make you feel ashamed of who you love. There is never an excuse for homophobia- ever. Do not tolerate it. If you are experiencing homophobia or bullying of any kind, don’t suffer in silence. Confide in someone you trust. A problem shared is always a problem halved.
A big thank-you to all who contributed to our collage on Saturday. Thank-you to Sara who handmade sweeties in the shape of mini burgers and fries, they were delicious and like little pieces of art!!
It was lovely to see our final piece come together and to see the different images of all the successful lgbt celebrities who are successful are in their own right. I encourage all of you to check out the collage when you’re next in the shOUT! space.
Of course I must add when I am here, that while it is great to have these famous and successful lgbt rolemodels who are people we can look up to, always remember “that the greatest success in life is to be yourself”.
Niamh
Hey everyone, for the next two Saturdays, we’re taking part in the national campaign that BeLonG To are launching for the first time ever. On the 10th of April, we’ll be doing an activity from the campaign followed by a few board games (we have new ones – which I have heard are pretty fun). On the 17th of April, we’ll be doing another activity designed by one of our very own volunteers specifically for the Stand Up campaign. We hope to see you there! :o)
Hey everyone, we won’t have the shOUT! group this Saturday. Enjoy the Easter Holiday.
