Gay traveller - homophobic situation

Nuvari

Not sure where to put this.


I've being living in a council house for the past three years, I love the place. It's not a very big house being a one bed terrace building but its warm, light and I've grown to love it.


Since moving in things have gotten progressively worse in the neighbourhood and I'm not sure what to do.


I'm an Irish Traveller living in a Traveller dominated area and I'm openly gay. This of course in itself isn't a bad thing but sadly many of my neighbours do not hold a progressive view on who I am. For the last two years I have being graffiti regularly, along the lines of “**** you ******” and “queer”, not to mention a whole series of other lesser words.


At first I took it as children just being children, viewing the world through a limited sense of diversity and a narrow minded family but it's getting worse. I can now rarely walk down the road without someone shout a comment at me, throw a stone or generally threaten. Mostly adolescents but who have parents that simply do not care, or ask “well aren't you a gay” when I do complain. My final straw was last week when one of my back windows were broken. It was a double window so the inner one is intact but never the less I feel very one edge with it all.


I've being down for a transfer the last while, but it seems unlikely I will get anything. The house is a one bedroom house in a traveller dominate area, unless your a traveller chances are you wont move here, if your a traveller chances are your married so a one bedroom wont fit your needs.


I've growing continual unable to cope with all this so much so I'm on anti depressants and sleeping aids from my GP, the graffiti happens about twice a month and to be honest I'm running out of paint to cover it up as well as the want of it all.


I was working until last Sept, when the firm I was with closed down and have being finding it a struggle to find a new job. Being on the dole is a bit demoralising but I am surviving, I cant move from here right now as I cant afford a place and wont get rent allowance as id be giving up a council house.


Can anyone help, any advice at all? As I cant really continue living like this.


There are so many beautiful, caring and compassionate people in my community but sadly I have happened upon a growing mistrust and deeply negitive trend of people that sadly is making my life a hell I'd rather not be in.


N

brandodub

All I can say is I empathise with your situation. Maybe try with your local authority again? I hope they can help .Take care

rainbow kirby

Also, if you haven't contacted them already, there are several Garda LGBT liaison officers appointed, and there is a list here.

mikemac

http://www.threshold.ie/ Info on housing, might have a few pointers for you on how to deal with the council.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie Good site and they have offices in most towns where you can call in for advice in dealing with the council. They are very helpful

Make and Do

Seek support from this organisation.

http://www.lgbtpavee.com/

gmale

Record everything that happens to you, the date, the time, pictures if possible, the location and the nature of the attack, graffitti, broken windows, stones being thrown at you and verbal abuse, record everything, no matter how insignificant.

When you approach the council about moving house, present them with the evidence, include receipts for all the medication and doctor visits. Dont let them brush you aside, demand to be housed in a location where you are safe and wont be bullied, harrased or abused.

I hope things work out for you.

Beruthiel

Hi Nuvari,

You've gotten some great advice on this thread and I would follow it all if I were you.

The harassment sounds terrifying. Do you fear for your life?
Is there anyone you can go and stay with? Even for a while, just from some relief from the stress.
I know nothing about the Travelling Community or how the hierarchy works, but is there nobody within the community who you could approach that would help you with this?

MajorMax

Is there anyone in the community you can talk to? I know traveller communities tend to be very tightknit. maybe appeal to their better nature?

Nuvari

Thank you all for the many kind comments!

Sadly I'm still here but things have entered a lull at the moment, the vocal harassment still very much remains but for now I'm safe. I'm on a transfer list - however long that may take.

The community is like any other, the hierarchy is just more focused on the communal ties rather then solitary individualism. This treatment isnt cultural, it is ignorance and the latent manifestation of a passive fear. Its just made harder by the isolation and taboo of neglecting silence in matters of orientation.

Not sure how much longer I can keep this all up, but for now ill continue distracting myself with happier affairs.

Thanks for your comments, I know this is just a online forum - but it matters

Abhainn-Rivers

I see someone else has recommended LGBT Pavee to you which also has a forum that you might like to avail off. They've also marched in Dublin Pride and seem to have more social plans afoot. These won't help with the issues faced in with those living around you but might help keep spirits up. And I have had cause to corresponded with many of admins and met some of them and can vouch for their openness and friendliness.

Document everything is the best advice really but in terms of taking outside your head and providing you with a means to force a case for relocation.

Sorry I have the same advice as everyone else really.