National Lottery shines a light on LGBTQ+ Good Causes this Pride Month

To mark Pride Month, the National Lottery is highlighting the work of Good Causes that support LGBTQ+ communities across Ireland, including Belong To and LGBT Ireland. Through youth services, helplines, education programmes and community supports, these organisations are helping foster inclusion, connection and wellbeing nationwide.

National Lottery Good Causes funding has played a key role in supporting initiatives that provide safe spaces, advocacy, and vital services for LGBTQ+ people of all ages. From youth empowerment programmes to national helplines, this support is helping ensure that LGBTQ+ communities feel seen, supported and celebrated.

Belong To - LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland:

Belong To is the national organisation supporting LGBTQ+ young people across Ireland through youth services, advocacy, and education. Its work focuses on creating safe, inclusive spaces while empowering young people and those around them to support equality and wellbeing. In 2024, Belong To was recognised as the National Lottery Good Causes Awards Youth category winner for its impactful work.

With support from National Lottery part‑funding via the HSE National Lottery Grant, Belong To has expanded its youth services and its LGBTQ+ Quality Mark programme. This initiative supports post primary schools to embed LGBTQ+ inclusion, ensuring that students, families, and staff feel safe, valued, and supported.

Kieran O’Donovan (he/him), CEO at Belong To, commented, "Creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ young people to be themselves is at the heart of everything we do. Support from National Lottery Good Causes allows us to expand our reach and ensure that more young people, no matter where they live, have access to life‑changing support and community. We want to create a world where LGBTQ+ young people are safe to shine and can confidently shape their own futures.”

LGBT Ireland:

Established in 2010, LGBT Ireland provides national support and information services for LGBTQ+ people and their families across Ireland. With support from National Lottery Good Causes funding, the organisation has been able to sustain its frontline services, including the National LGBT Helpline, which operates seven days a week and supports more than 2,000 contacts each year.

The service offers a vital space for people to speak openly, often at pivotal moments in their lives, whether they are reaching out in crisis, exploring their identity for the first time, or simply looking for someone who understands their experience. The insights gathered through this listening service have also helped LGBT Ireland develop more tailored supports for marginalised communities, including those seeking international protection and older LGBTQ+ people, extending its impact far beyond each individual call or message.

Pride Month: Throughout Pride Month, organisations such as Belong To and LGBT Ireland continue to support LGBTQ+ communities across Ireland through youth services, national helplines, peer supports, advocacy and practical online resources.

All information including details of their freephone helplines are available at www.belongto.org and www.lgbt.ie.

Nearly 30 cent in every €1 spent on National Lottery games goes back to Good Causes in the areas of sport, youth, health, welfare, education, arts, heritage and the Irish Language. In total, €7 Billion has been raised for Good Causes since the National Lottery was established 39 years ago. In 2024 alone, €239.3 Million was raised for local Good Causes in communities across Ireland. 

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