Fear of persecution due to LGBTI identity may be the basis of an asylum claim in Ireland.
Homosexuality was decriminalised in Ireland in 1993 and same sex marriage was legalised in 2015. The Gender Recognition Act was also passed in 2015 which allows all individuals over the age of 18 to self-declare their own gender identity. Young people aged 16-17 can also apply to be legally recognised, though the process is more onerous.
All police stations in Ireland have an LGBT liaison officer. Acts of homophobic persecution or harassment should be reported to An Garda Síochána (police service) and will be taken seriously.
LGBT Ireland
LGBT Ireland runs a LGBT helpline, a gender identity family support line, an instant messaging support service and in-person peer support groups.
Contact:
- LGBT Helpline: 1890 929 539
- Gender Identity Family Support Line: +353 (0)1 907 3707
- Instant Messaging Support Service: https://lgbt.ie/instant-messaging-support-service/
- Website: https://lgbt.ie/
- Peer Support Diary: https://lgbt.ie/our-services/peer-support-groups/
Belong To
BelongTo Youth Services is the national organisation in Ireland for LGBTI+ young people. BelongTo run youth groups and previously operated a project specifically for LGBTI+ asylum-seekers and refugees. BelongTo also provide LGBTI+ sensitivity training to staff in Direct Provision centres.
Contact:
- Telephone: +353 (0)1 670 6223
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.belongto.org/
- Locations of youth groups: https://www.belongto.org/youngpeople/youth-groups/find-a-youth-group/