Gay Switchboard celebrates 40 years serving the LGBT community in Ireland

Report highlights LGBT people in Ireland seven times more likely to attempt suicide.

LGBT people regularly face stigma and isolation which often leads to poor mental, emotional and sexual health. They are also at a much higher risk of self-harm and suicide. Gay Switchboard has been there for 40 years to listen and offer support for this and a host of other issues affecting the LGBT community.

‘Too often we underestimate the power of the listening ear. It has the potential to turn a life around’ is Gay Switchboard Ireland’s new advocacy message as it embarks upon its 40^th year providing confidential support to callers.

A 2013 study by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland suggests that LGBT people are 7 times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. In addition, a recent UK report ‘Youth Chances’, launched in January, highlights that over half of young gay people suffer with mental health issues, with over 40% having considered suicide at some stage.

The Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte TD, is launching a new look image and website for Gay Switchboard on Thursday, January 23 at Outhouse LGBT Community Centre, Capel Street, Dublin 1. The Minister will be joined by Labour TD John Lyons.

Minister Pat Rabbitte TD said; “I am delighted to be launching the renewed image & website of Ireland’s oldest LGBT support service. The fact that Gay Switchboard has existed for 40 years demonstrates a need that clearly remains valid today. I have no doubt every volunteer that’s been a part of the service has made a difference to someone in Irish society. I salute those volunteers.”

Originally called Tel-A-Friend and founded in 1974, Gay Switchboard has been a constant support for the LGBT community throughout the past 40 years of social change. Gay Switchboard volunteers have been providing confidential telephone support and signposting to the LGBT community.

As Ireland’s oldest LGBT support service, it has been a constant community service throughout the social changes of the last four decades. The service is open 7 days a week, answers in excess of 2700 calls each year and is staffed entirely by trained volunteers.

Senator David Norris said: “I am delighted to send my heartiest congratulations to Gay Switchboard and wish it well with its renewal. I can hardly believe that it is forty years since Tel-A-Friend was actually founded. The work of Gay Switchboard is extremely important. There is still a level of fear and shame as well as confusion for young people around the country discovering they may be LGBT. It is a wonderful and humanitarian gesture to lend a comforting ear to those in distress. It is also a great privilege”.

Gay Switchboard’s volunteers are trained to offer confidential support, signposting and information. Indeed, if you need to chat that’s fine too.

Director of Gay Switchboard, Tony Cooney said: ‘It is an exciting and challenging time for our service. Innovative new ways of reaching out and the commitment our dedicated volunteers means that we have been able to expand our services to the community with a weekly face to face ‘Drop In’ service. In addition, we will shortly commence a series of personal development courses for gay & bisexual men in partnership with the Gay Health Network’.

Gay Switchboard Ireland is open 7 days a week on 01-872 1055 – because life doesn’t wait until Monday!

Confidential listening, support and signposting service for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, their parents, families and friends and for anyone who has concerns relating to sexuality.

For more information, CLICK HERE:

Facts about Gay Switchboard Ireland:

Gay Switchboard Ireland phone lines are open 7 days a week (Weekdays: 6.30pm-9pm, Saturdays: 2pm-6pm, Sundays 4pm-6pm) on 01-872 1055.
Gay Switchboard Ireland provides a weekly face to face Drop In support service
Gay Switchboard Ireland recently commenced a weekly sexual health email support service: ask@ghn.ie which it provides in collaboration with www.man2man.ie
Gay Switchboard Ireland facilitates a monthly support group for married men who are gay or bisexual.
Gay Switchboard Ireland offers regular Outreach presentations to groups, organisations and colleges.
Gay Switchboard Ireland promotes the prevention of HIV/AIDS and safer sex in partnership with the Gay Health Network (www.man2man.ie)
Gay Switchboard Ireland facilitates Personal Development Courses for gay and bisexual men
Gay Switchboard Ireland is staffed entirely by (41) mixed gender volunteers who come from all walks of life.
Gay Switchboard Ireland volunteers answered 2760 calls in 2013.
Gay Switchboard Ireland callers seek support for a range of issues including: isolation, coming out, mental health, sexual health, self harm or suicide and information in relation to LGBT pubs/clubs/groups/organisations.
Gay Switchboard Ireland is based in the LGBT Resource Centre, Outhouse in Capel Street.
Gay Switchboard Ireland was founded in 1974 and originally called Tel-A-Friend
Gay Switchboard Ireland former name Tel-A-Friend is accredited to Senator David Norris who was on the steering group in 1973 to establish the phone support service!
Gay Switchboard Ireland has answered approximately 116,000 calls since 1974!!!
Gay Switchboard Ireland is a registered charity (CHY11245)