What is The Programme?
The LGBT Diversity programme is a coordinated national response by twelve LGBT organisations, developed to build the capacity of the LGBT sector. The Programme will facilitate LGBT organisations and activists to collectively mobilise and engage with the wider community in order to advocate strategically and effectively on gender and sexuality issues.
The ultimate aim of the Programme is to promote an Ireland that celebrates diversity, where LGBT people are an integral part of society - at all levels - and are afforded all the rights and responsibilities enjoyed by Irish citizens .
The vision for the programme:
“LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) people are equal, visible and active participants in all aspects of family, social, political, cultural, and economic life in an Ireland which respects and celebrates diversity.”
The structure:
The programme is overseen by a Steering Committee, formerly called the Joint Working Group (see participating organisations) and supported by an Independent Chair. The implementation of our action plan will be the responsibility of the Programme Director who will support three regional development workers (one in the North West, the Midlands and the South East), to develop and implement, in consultation with a range of stakeholders, a plan for each of their regions. The Programme Director and members of the Steering Committee also sit on two standing sub committees, one for Finance and one for HR.
The work:
We envisage that, with the support of the Programme Director, the Regional Development Workers will coordinate regional networking, assist in the establishment and/or enhancement of support groups, further develop the capacity of voluntary and statutory organisations to provide services to LGBT people and implement a response to locally identified needs. In addition, with the support of our Administrator, the Programme Director will organise national conferences, oversee specific pieces of research, explore synergies with relevant organisations, identify opportunities to influence positive policy change and explore the need for the establishment of an umbrella body for LGBT organisations.
Our Ethos:
We aim to work using a model of good practice for all our activities and programmes, while striving to ensure that we are transparent in our methods and processes. It is our belief that everyone involved in our programme is treated with dignity and respect.
Current Overarching Activities:
LGBT Community Grants Scheme with support from The Community Foundation for Ireland.
LGBT Fund with support from The Community Foundation for Ireland.
Research on LGBT parenthood.
Programme Evaluation.
National LGBT conference.
Regional seminars.
Developing good practice guidelines for the LGBT sector.
The programme of work has two parallel but interacting strands:
* An LGBT strand
* A specific Transgender strand
The focus of the programme:
The LGBT strand has three main focus areas:
1. Building capacity of existing LGBT groups and organisations at a regional level.
2. Supporting the development of LGBT groups in parts of the country that are significantly underserved.
3. Strengthening the LGBT sector nationally.
The Transgender strand has three main focus areas:
1. A key focus of the Transgender strand is to build the capacity and organisational ability off Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI). In addition, TENI will provide capacity building to voluntary and statutory organisations to assist them in developing supports and services for transgender individuals.
2. To expand TENI’s activities and reach in the areas of support, education and advocacy.
3. To engage in policy development with key government departments that deal with gender recognition.