Write a commentThe Newry Rainbow Community held their AGM last week and they reflected on their busy year which culminated in the provision of a dedicated Drop in Centre for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community at 82a Hill Street .
Outgoing Chairman Blaine Whitley thanked all for attending and conveyed his appreciation of the many hours hard work carried out by all the committee singling out Secretary Damian McKevitt, without whom the Drop in Centre would probably still be an aim rather than a reality; Treasurer, Gary O'Rourke for his time involved in keeping the books up to date and committee member Padraig Lynch for his endless work in preparing the centre for opening and maintaining it.
It certainly was a busy year with the first ever Civic Reception by Mayor John Feehan which officially acknowledged the presence of our City's gay community for the first time.
We also won the award at Belfast Pride's 20th Anniversary Dinner for the Best Float in Belfast Pride Parade.
In November members of the group visited Parliament Buildings in Stormont where we talked to local MLA's Dominic Bradley, Danny Kennedy, John McCallister, Conall McDevitt, Conor Murphy and Caítríona Ruane.
The NRC has continued to develop and maintain a very visible presence in the wider community, voluntary and statutory structures within the Newry & Mourne and Southern Health Trust areas.
Some of the wide range of Partnerships and initiatives that the NRC are affiliated to or participate in are; Confederation of Community Groups (Newry & District), Newry & Mourne Wellbeing Action Partnership, Protect Life Community Forum, Sexual Health Improvement Forum, Services Sub-Group; Northern Ireland LGB&T Consultative Forum, Rural Community Network, Newry Library Users Consultative Forum. The NRC has also continued to develop and maintain strong relationships with, and to engage with, the PSNI Neighbourhood Policing Teams across the Newry & Mourne District Command.
The group has also undertaken a range of training courses and initiatives in their centre from First Aid Training to Community Lifeguard Training (Delivered by PIPS)
Looking to the future Blaine noted that the NRC intend to work closer with the Dundalk Outcomers group, develop the opportunities that a dedicated Centre now affords us and continue to engage with local bodies to ensure that a comprehensive range of services and support are made available to LGB and T people.
A new Committee was elected and Rory Rafferty was elected as the new NRC Chairman, Damian McKevitt was re-elected as Secretary and Gary O'Rourke was re-elected as Treasurer.
