ACOMSDave

Community Journalist

Callings

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CallingsCallings, written by Dominic Montaque is a wonderful, heartwarming play about five queer people who manage to discover a community and through that community support for themselves and their journey of discovery about themselves and being gay.

It is set in an era when the government used many tactics to hide our existence.  It is also set in Northern Ireland, for England had a Switchboard Service for (LGBT as it was then) or as stated in those days ‘Queers’.  The play is set in Belfast, Northern Ireland in the CARA Friend Switchboard Room – (that in itself is a misnomer as we only had 1 or 2 lines and phones) No such things as mobile phones then – chunky big desk phones and outside you had to find a phone box that worked, which was also safe for others listening, and you had to have plenty of change.

In the background, you had the ‘Save Ulster from Sodomy. Campaign, Jeff Dudgeon vs UK Trial etc., and of course ‘theCallings Troubles’.

Callings brings together tales that reflect on the challenge we faced with being ‘queer’ during this period but also celebrate our history and what has now been accomplished.

I urge you to try and get along to see this wonderful play (Callings) but don’t forget

‘…that’s why learning from history is important.  I grew up under Section 26, so I wasn’t taught about LGBTQI+ issues at school…

Owen Jones (Attitude March 2019)

 

 

 

The full Show Schedule is:

Lyric Theatre, Belfast: Wed 2 Oct – Sun 6 Oct;

The MAC Birmingham, 10 – 11 Oct;

Stanley Arts London: 16-17 Oct;

Chats Palace London: 18–19 Oct;

Hawkswell Sligo: 23 Oct;

Market Place Armagh: 24 Oct;

Riverbank Kildare: 25 Oct;

Down Arts Centre: 26 Oct;

Droichead, Drogheda: 2 Nov;

Garage, Monaghan, 3 Nov,

Project Arts Centre, Dublin: 6-9 Nov.

For more information on the production and to get tickets go to www.kabosh.net

To find out more about the services offered by Cara-Friend visit www.cara-friend.org.uk

 

Links:

Congratulations LGBT Cookstown

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Snap 2016-01-06 at 17.08.50Michael McGlade

First meeting of LGBT youth group in Cookstown

 

  • Meeting organised by Cara-Friend, an LGBT service running throughout NI
  • Thursday, January 7 from 6-8pm in Cookstown Leisure Centre
  • Focusing on a safe space mentality for those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender

A new group to help young people in the Cookstown area who may be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, will meet for the first time this Thursday.
The youth group has been set up by Cara-Friend, which is an LGBT service running throughout NI.
Representatives of CaraFriend NI
The first meeting will be held on Thursday night from 6-8pm in Cookstown Leisure Centre.
Declan Meehan, who is the youth development manager said rural areas like Mid Ulster left many young people feeling isolated.
“Isolation of young LGBT people, particularly in rural areas, can be very damaging to young people’s mental health and as such, tackling it is a priority for Cara-Friend,” he said.
“It is a peer support and guidance service that focuses on a safe space mentality for those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender; and for those who might be questioning either their sexuality or gender identity,” said Declan.
 

Isolation of young LGBT people, particularly in rural areas, can be very damaging to young people’s mental health
Declan Meehan

“The new youth group will provide a social outlet for young LGBT people in the wider Cookstown area, as well as a safe space in which they can learn about personal development and meet other like minded young people who may be going through a similar process as themselves.
Read more: http://www.tyronetimes.co.uk/news/health/health-news/first-meeting-of-lgbt-youth-group-in-cookstown-1-7145135#ixzz3wU8tVR8H