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LGBTQ+ Resources

Resources to support LGBTQ+ care-experienced children and young people and the professionals who work with them.

Home > LGBTQ+ Youth

Every LGBTQ+ young person deserves to feel safe and supported.

At EPIC, we work to ensure that children and young people in care, including those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community feel seen and heard.

This page brings together key resources to support LGBTQ+ young people in care – including information, guidance, and the voices from care-experienced LGBTQ+ young people.

Coming Out in Care Resources

Coming out as LGBTQ+ or transitioning at any time can be challenging. Coming out as LGBTQ+ or transitioning as a young person in care can add to this challenge.

After extensive consultation with care-experienced young people, EPIC and our project partners BeLong To, have created 2 leaflets and a short animated video as part of a project funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Coming out in care leaflet cover
Download Flyer
Coming out in care leaflet cover
Download Flyer

This short animation was created for professionals working with LGBTI+ children and young people in care. It is a collaboration between EPIC Empowering People In Care and BeLonG To, funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

We shared this video for the first time at EPIC’s LGBTI+ Webinar during Care Week 21’. The content of the video was designed and developed by members of our LGBTI+ Youth Advisory Committee who are all care-experienced themselves, and the video reflects their concerns and lived experience.

We hope that children and young people in care, and the professionals working with them, find it informative and useful.

This video is a short explainer about the journey undertaken by some wonderfully talented, care experienced young people, Dillion and Siobhán.

They we part of our LGBTI+ Youth Advisory Committee who wanted to create resources to help other LGBTI+ children and young people in care, and the professionals working with them, based on their own experiences.

Our LGBTI+ Youth Project aims to put the voices and experiences of LGBTI+ children and young people in care front and centre, to enable others to understand the supports and services necessary from them.

This video is a short explainer about the journey undertaken by some wonderfully talented, care experienced young people, Dillion and Siobhán.

They we part of our LGBTI+ Youth Advisory Committee who wanted to create resources to help other LGBTI+ children and young people in care, and the professionals working with them, based on their own experiences

Our LGBTI+ Youth Project aims to put the voices and experiences of LGBTI+ children and young people in care front and centre, to enable others to understand the supports and services necessary from them.

LGBTQ+ Resources and Helplines

LGBT Ireland

A central hub offering a national helpline, peer support groups, and information on sexuality and gender identity. They also provide a directory of local services.

Call: 01 685 9280

Website: lgbt.ie

Belong To

Ireland’s national organisation for LGBTQ+ young people aged 14–23. They offer youth groups, crisis counselling (in partnership with Pieta), and support for parents.

Call: 01 670 6223

Website: belongto.org

Trans Equality Network Ireland logo
Trans Equality Network Ireland

A national organisation supporting the trans community through advocacy, education, and peer support.

Phone: 01 873 3575

Website: teni.ie

Switchboard logo
The Switchboard

Ireland’s longest-running LGBTQ+ helpline, offering confidential listening and support 7 days a week.

Phone: 01 872 1055

Website: theswitchboard.ie