Useful Websites

glyni.org.uk

Gay & Lesbian Youth Northern Ireland, infamously known as GLYNI (pron. glin-E), is an organisation for young people in Northern Ireland who identify as being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or non-heterosexual. !! They have existed since 1998, and continue to run a popular youth group every Monday night in Belfast City Centre. We also provide befriending and e-mail support to young people aged 25 years and under throughout Northern Ireland.

youthnetni.org.uk

In 2002 the Department of Education, as part of its statutory duty to promote equality of opportunity under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), identified the requirement for research into the needs of young people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender (LGBT) in Northern Ireland. YouthNet produced The ShOut Report in 2003, which was launched by the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People.

Some of the key findings included:

65% of respondents had experienced verbal abuse
44% had been bullied in school because of their sexual orientation
29% had attempted suicide
26% had self harmed
16% had experienced homelessness
25% had truanted because of their sexual orientation
15% had dropped out of school because of their sexual orientation
79% of organisations working with young people would like training for staff/volunteers to engage more effectively with young LGBT people

youthaction.org/outandabout

A youth group for young lesbian and bisexual women supported by Youth Action.

queeryouth.org.uk

Queer Youth Alliance - Run by and for the young LGBT community of the UK, this site includes a directory of LGBT groups throughout the UK and Ireland, a message board and national events, where many of the groups (nationwide) meet up.