‘Dire’ lack of support for young Irish homosexuals

THE lack of support for gay and lesbian young people is “dire”, according to a sexuality youth service.

Michael Barron of Belongto.org, a youth project funded by the Department of Education for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT), was responding to reports that a 14-year-old boy was targeted by a paedophile ring after he used to gay internet chatroom because he was confused about his sexuality.

“At the moment, we are the only designated [sexuality] project for young people with professionally trained youth workers in it,” said Mr Barron. “It’s crazy. Young people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender account for the largest minority group of young people in [Ireland].”