Art exhibition promotes positive health and wellbeing among LGBT community in Tipperary

Clonmel Community Resource Centre and LGBTI Health South Tipperary staged an art exhibition called LGBT & ME at The Narrow Space gallery in Mitchel Street, Clonmel. 

The exhibition was a collection of art through painting, poetry, real life stories and photography from members of the LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) support groups and the LGBT community. 

The art was a mixture of LGBT pieces and the group's own work. The art classes were facilitated by Jane Houlihan, who is a volunteer with the group's Transgender group. 

The aim of the exhibition was to find ways of social activity for the groups, and also to create positive health and well being. As well as individual pieces the group created a canvas called 'Our LGBT Journey', which depicted the journey and experience of being LGBT in Tipperary.

Above - The group who attended the launch of the LGBT exhibition at The Narrow Space gallery in Clonmel

Thanks are extended to the following, who helped or contributed in any way to make the exhibition a success - 

Aisling Kilroy at the Narrow Space for providing a wonderful venue; Marie Walsh, Billy and friends for providing the music; guest speakers Mia Kearney and Jane Houlihan; the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and Tipperary County Council for funding part of this project and for the groups to continue with some art classes over the next few months. 

Thanks are also extended to the members of the LGBTI group who contributed and worked hard to get the exhibition up and running.

LGBTI Health South Tipperary is a project funded by the HSE and is delivered by The Clonmel Community Resource Centre. 

It provides support for the LGBTI community and their families. An LGBTI Health Support worker is available at room 7 upstairs at the Community Resource Centre in Kickham Street. 

At present there are two adult support groups - a lesbian/gay/bisexual group and a transgender adult group. Both groups are for those aged 18 years and over. 

One-to-one support is also offered for someone that doesn’t feel ready to attend a group setting. Support and confidentiality is available to those in Tipperary and surrounding areas in a safe space and welcoming environment.   

Above - Alan Fogarty alongside the group art piece 'Our LGBT journey' at The Narrow Space gallery in Mitchel Street, Clonmel

Social activities such as bowling and quiz nights are organised and much more is planned for the coming year.

Volunteer facilitators work hard to provide support for the LGBT community and to facilitate the support groups.

The LGBT groups gratefully acknowledge the support of the HSE's Social Inclusion Office and the Clonmel Community Resource Centre’s management.

Anyone who needs support in a group or one-to-one setting or who wants to meet others who share the same experiences as you should e-mail gerard@clonmelcrc.ie or call 052-6129143; Facebook LGBTI Health South Tipperary or Twitter, @LGBTSOUTH.