Stand Up For Equality! Ireland and Marriage Equality...

Last year, the people of Ireland got together to say one big YES to love.

We partnered with Yes Equality (and some familiar faces!) to show the people of Ireland how easy it is to say YES and give everyone a chance to love who they love. Touring the country with our YEStivals we helped spread the word in the run up to the referendum (read more here!)

History was made on May 22nd 2015, when the Marriage Equality Referendum made an impact on what it means to grow up LGBT in Ireland. One year on, with 1,000s taking part in this year’s annual Pride parade, this feels like a more inclusive country where young people can feel safer coming out to their friends and families.

However, there’s still a lot to do, with recent reports from LGBT youth group BeLonG To, stating that self-harm and suicidal behaviour amongst young people is on the rise. In response to this, BeLonG To supports LGBT youth services in Dublin and across the country, to let LGBT young people who are experiencing mental health challenges know: 'you are not alone'.

But there is hope on the horizon. Together with organisations like BeLonG To, the new Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone has announced the development of a new ‘LGBT Youth Strategy’. The new Programme for Government makes this pledge:

‘We will develop an LGBT Youth Strategy that will encompass education, youth services, mental health and other issues. As part of this strategy, we will review implementation of the National Action Plan on Bullying in our schools.’

This commitment to address key issues affecting the lives of LGBT young people is another positive step forward for the LGBT community and the country.

Over one year on from the Marriage Equality Referendum, we want to know how you feel about it, tweet us @BenandJerrysIRL!