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Community Groups : TOST? Last Updated: 2, Apr 2018 - 10:02


Tost? Social Inclusion Week 2013
By Tost?
5, Oct 2013 - 09:43

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Local L.G.B.T. Group: TOST? raising visibility and support as part of Social Inclusion Week 2013 (October 14th - 20th)

Social Inclusion Week 2013 takes place from 14th - 20th October. Social Inclusion Awareness Week is a great opportunity to highlight the work taking place in County Mayo that tries to improve the quality of life for all.

TOST? in association with Mayo County Development Board, Castlebar Town Council, Mayo County Council, South West Mayo Development Company, Castlebar NYP and Le Chéile FRC, are proud to light up the Bridge (exiting to the Newport Rd) and raise Rainbow flags within the town at Council Buildings and Supportive Businesses, as a Visible Symbol to all that Castlebar welcomes and supports diversity as part of Social Inclusion Week 2013.

We feel by displaying these flags and logos throughout the town and outside Mayo Co. Co. Buildings, as has been done in the past for other events, such as 4 day walks, Blues Festival, Pink Ribbon etc., it will help promote a positive image of both the town and the community as a whole. Creating an isolation free week maybe an opportunity to offer support to many people, some of whom we may not even be aware of.
Tost? would like to thank all involved, for their continued support. It was just a year ago that Castlebar Town Council voted in favour of Civil Marriage for Same Sex Couples and we are delighted that Castlebar Town Mayor, Noreen Heston will be launching this event as we continue to raise the flag for Equality & Diversity.

For further information or resources relating to TOST? contact us via:

Telephone: 094-9025126. Email: mayotost@gmail.com

Website www.lgbtmayo.com Facebook page www.facebook.com/mayotost1


TOST?

TOST? which is the Irish word for Silence, is a local LGBT group based in Castlebar. This name was chosen by the group as it reflected what the group wanted to achieve - to break the Silence surrounding LGBT issues. TOST? was set up for adults in response to issues raised in the research carried out in 2008 entitled "Needs Analysis of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Population, (LGBT) in Galway and Mayo and Roscommon (2008)" commissioned by Éamon Ó Cuív T.D, then Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. It was supported by the by Mayo County Development Board and South West Mayo Development Company alongside Le Cheile, the local Family Resource Centre. It aims to counter the isolation of many LGBT people in this rural area by making the LGBT community visible and accessible through the work it does. It works to raise the visibility of LGBT people among the general public and with statutory, professional and community service providers in Mayo.

One of its goals which was to establish a safe forum for young LGBT people to explore issues affecting their lives, has now been put in place with a youth group which meets regularly in Castlebar for ages 14-18 and is supported by the NYP. TOST? meetings are held monthly, so that LGBT people can meet to further identify issues they would like to see raised, or simply to share the company of others.

Over the past three years TOST? has organised events, such as providing LGBT awareness training for local services and hosting an information evening on Civil Partnership entitled "Civil Partnership - How does it affect you? "; running a workshop on "Effective Lobbying Skills" which was delivered by representatives from Amnesty International and Marriage Equality;

Additionally TOST? donated thirty books which celebrate diversity to the Mayo County Library, which were presented by Senator David Norris. Members of TOST? have also provided LGBT Awareness training for (secondary) school principals and participated in the wider LGBT Strategy Group for the region, coordinated by LGBT Diversity. Tost? representatives took part in the ‘Parenting Support' information event run by the HSE under Suicide Prevention (Knockranny Hotel, Westport, Nov 30th 2011). A representative from TOST? continues to meet regularly with the Mayo Positive Mental Health initiative. Leadership training was also completed by members of TOST? to further facilitate visibility and projects within their local communities, mentored by leading advocates in the country in the area of LGBT and equality legislation. TOST? representatives were present at the Castlebar Council meeting which supported the proposal for Marriage Equality for same sex couples.

TOST? also provides a social network for members, which is essential in combating isolation in a rural area like Mayo. An Open Evening was held to discuss the issues that affect the lives of local LGBT people.

Over the past year two additional initiatives have been led out by TOST? representatives. LOOK (Loving our out kids), a meeting forum for families and friends of LGBT individuals who may want to ask questions or help support advocacy for family members or friends who are isolated.

Most recently after members of TOST? attended a positive mental health weekend for lesbians in Sligo, the request for activities to be developed that didn't focus on pub culture was raised as a priority. An LGBT choir for the West is now being formed. Singers are meeting weekly with members from Sligo and Mayo with the aim to have groups meeting regularly in each county west of the Shannon, that would come together as a combined choral group for specific events. New members and choir directors are currently being sought.

TOST?, c/o Le Chéile FRC, Tucker St., Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

 



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