LGBT Ireland calls on Kildare people to get involved in National Coming Out Day campaign

LGBT Ireland has called on people in County Kildare to get involved in its National Coming Out Day campaign for 2023.

'Empowering anthems' is calling on the people of Kildare to choose their most inspiring song, share it on social media and make a donation to support the work of LGBT Ireland.

All funds raised will go towards supporting LGBT Ireland deliver its quality services for the LGBTQI+ community in Kildare and across Ireland.

Speaking yesterday at the launch of the campaign, Paula Fagan, Chief Executive of LGBT Ireland, said: "Coming out is one of the most significant milestones in any LGBTQI+ person’s lifetime, and it can be a hugely challenging and emotional time for people.

"Fear of rejection and worry for the future can often create anxiety... however it can also be an incredibly empowering experience and can open up the door to self-acceptance and joy."

She continued: "We all know the positive impact music can have on emotional well-being, and so this year we are encouraging people in Kildare to support their LGBTQI+ friends and family by choosing an empowering anthem that motivates them and makes them feel good about themselves.

"Share the song on Instagram or any other social media and tag LGBT Ireland, and make a donation to support our services.

"At the end of the campaign, we will compile and share our playlist of Empowering Anthems which we hope will help anyone who might be struggling with their identity to feel empowered and loved, and to remind them that support and help is available to them through LGBT Ireland."

"We also want to highlight that once someone comes out, they never stop coming out for the remainder of their lives — for example, when they start a new job, join a new social group or meet new people in any situation.

"We hope that our playlist of anthems will help anyone who might need to feel empowered and lifted up by the community and our allies, whether they came out 30 years ago, or last week," she concluded.

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SUPPORT

A number of well-known faces are supporting the campaign and have chosen their empowering anthems, including:

• Comedian Shane Daniel Byrne, whose anthem is La Roux's song Bulletproof'
• Designer, business-woman and entrepreneur Sonya Lennon, whose anthem is 'I’m Coming Out' by Diana Ross
• Presenter and designer Brendan Courtney, who also chose ‘I’m Coming Out’ as his anthem
• Psychotherapist and presenter Dil Wickremasinghe, picked Madonna’s 'Express Yourself'
• Cian Griffin, social media influencer, chose 'Born This Way' by Lady Gaga
• Presenter and actor David O'Reilly, chose 'Rhythm of the Night' by Corona

Commenting on her pick, Sonya Lennon said: "I first remember listening to it on a Walkman... the song encapsulates the emotion of being exactly who and where you want to be: it’s a celebration.

"I believe that being an ally is about accepting everyone for who they are when you’re with them but also advocating for their interests when you’re not."

Photographed at the launch of LGBT Ireland’s Empowering Anthems campaign for National Coming out Day was Sonya Lennon, designer, business-woman and entrepreneur; David O'Reilly, presenter; Cian Griffin, social media influencer; Shane Daniel Byrne, comedian; Brendan Courtney, presenter and designer; Dil Wickremasinghe, psychotherapist and presenter and Paula Fagan, CEO of LGBT Ireland. Photograph supplied by Marc O'Sullivan.

Dil Wickremasinghe’s also said that her song choice was inspired by her own journey of self-discovery: "The song came out the summer of 1987.

"I was 16 years old, and I became aware of my sexualityand fell madly in love with another girl, she was a beautiful Sicilian girl.

"I was in Palermo,Sicily, with my family for a few weeks. She had a red Vespa and I used sit on the back of it as we whizzed up Mount Pellegrino, where we shared our first kiss."

Dil continued: "I remember listening to 'Express Yourself' on repeat that summer.

"It encouraged me to come out, express myself and 30 years later I am still happily expressing myself!"

David O'Reilly said: "Being part of any campaign that aims to alleviate any stigma, trauma or difficulty for any minority group is an honour."

He added: "In a world where regression on LGBTQI+ rights is on the rise, it is so vitally important for me to support LGBT Ireland, who continue to have their fingers on the pulse in supporting vulnerable members of the LGBTQI+ community."

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Share your favourite and most empowering anthem on social media.

At the end of the campaign, LGBT Ireland will share a Spotify playlist compiled from all the songs that people have tagged them in.

Post about your empowering anthem and tag LGBT Ireland.

Facebook: @LGBT.ie

Instagram: @lgbtireland_ie

X: @LGBT_ie

LinkedIn: lgbtireland

Use the hashtags #EmpoweringAnthems, #ShareYourAnthem.

Donate to LGBT Ireland via social media channels, Revolut or via the LGBT Ireland website.

Tag others to encourage people to do the same.

SERVICES

LGBT Ireland provides a number of services to the LGBTQI+ community across Ireland through their phone helplines and messaging services; peer support groups; advocating on behalf of the LGBTQI+ community and in particular providing support for older members of the community, and for those living in International Protection accommodation.

Further information on LGBT Ireland can be found here: https://lgbt.ie/.