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The Newry Rainbow Community is engaged in an on-going project to help give a voice to the local Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender population of all ages. The Gay Newry Voices Project was launched recently and a website www.gaynewryvoices.com produced where people can check out more information on the project.
The idea is to document the experiences of LGB and T people from decades ago till the present day, touching on what it was like to grow up in an environment where homosexuality was illegal, certainly not talked about and living in the closet was probably the only option and moving to the present day where society has changed so much. Yet while many young gay people are now living completely open lives and are accepted by their family and friends, there are still so many of all ages that still find things very difficult.
The NRC want to hear from any LGB or T person from Newry and the surrounding area, or even people with a connection present or past to the area, possibly home for the Christmas break. They would like to hear about their own personal experiences and while it would be great to put a name to a story it is not required and contributors can be as anonymous or as open as they want to be. It's your story and it's up to you to tell as little or as much as you wish.
Columba O'Hare, Newry Rainbow Community PRO said " We really want to hear as many experiences as possible, whether good or bad, happy or heart rendering. Absolutely everyone has a story to tell and it is extremely important that these stories are heard, otherwise a complete generation of local people will never have had a voice and this is completely unthinkable!"
The project will result in a book being published in 2012 and together with the Website which hopefully will run and run, it will result in an ongoing historical record of a very silent minority. It was made possible thanks to funding from the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland and the Big Lottery Awards For All.
To contribute to the Project you can contact the NRC by email at nrc@gaynewry.com or telephone the NRC Centre at 82a Hill Street on 028 3025 0528 or you can tell your story online at www.gaynewryvoices.com
Alternatively call in to the NRC Centre, 82a Hill Street anytime after it re-opens from the Christmas break on Tuesday the 3rd of January. Hours are 7pm to 10pm Monday to Friday and 2pm to 6pm on Saturdays.
