Gay in the west

garrigus

Hey,
This is my first time posting on this thread. Im a gay 22 year old guy from the west of ireland. Im pretty much a typical guy. I love sports and socialising with friends. I was just wondering is there any gay scene in the west for gays with similar interests as I feel like there isnt much at the moment.For example a gay rugby team?

SeantheMan

Why would there be an exclusively gay rugby team ?
Such things tend to further the idea that there is a difference between gay/straight people in sports. A team is a team regardless of the sexuality of it's members.

floggg

SeantheMan wrote: »

Why would there be an exclusively gay rugby team ?
Such things tend to further the idea that there is a difference between gay/straight people in sports. A team is a team regardless of the sexuality of it's members.

Firstly, there is one. Though unfortunately it's in Dublin. Don't know if there's anything similar in the west.

Secondly, there's lots of reasons for it, none of which have anything to do with exclusion.

In the same way Irish ex pats will form sporting clubs, it's a good way for people with common backgrounds, interests and experiences to meet.

It can be particularly hard for people to make gay friends when they first come out so it's a really fun way to do it.

It can also help dispel negative stereotypes of the gay community (all about drink, not into sport etc).

And most importantly, many gay people can feel unwelcome or excluded from team sports because of their sexuality. So it's a good safe environment for people to participate in sport without feeling they have to hide their sexuality.

Annasopra

Where in the west are you talking about?

I'm not really aware of any lgbt sports groups

Heres some links to social and rights groups

http://www.outwestireland.ie/

http://www.amachlgbt.com/

Limerick is making a bid for the 2018 gay games so they might know more

http://limerick2018.com/news/

OP perhaps if there is no lgbt sports club there you could consider setting one up as well

Aurongroove

there's hardly ant regular rugby teams, lol.
lol, joking but it is very unlikely there is enough numbers for larger scale sport socializing. such as rugby teams and such, but you never know.


LGBT is very quite the further west you go. I've recently been going to Outwest events and most recently their Christmas dinner, which was an alright night!

garrigus

Aurongroove wrote: »

there's hardly ant regular rugby teams, lol.
lol, joking but it is very unlikely there is enough numbers for larger scale sport socializing. such as rugby teams and such, but you never know.


LGBT is very quite the further west you go. I've recently been going to Outwest events and most recently their Christmas dinner, which was an alright night!

yeh i know, there doesnt seem to be any sports teams for gay people at all. Like the regular teams are alright but its hard being the only gay on the team lol

Annasopra

In Dublin Emerald warriors is open to everyone so you could do it like that - even start with colleges or something.

I'm a firm believer if there is something not being done then do it yourself and I have done that many times

The op could actually just go and set up a rugby team. Sometimes we often think I wish someone would organise something

The OP or anyone else can be that someone

paulmorro

mango salsa wrote: »

In Dublin Emerald warriors is open to everyone so you could do it like that - even start with colleges or something.

I'm a firm believer if there is something not being done then do it yourself and I have done that many times

The op could actually just go and set up a rugby team. Sometimes we often think I wish someone would organise something

The OP or anyone else can be that someone

+1
A lot of the sports groups in Dublin are fairly new and started as just a small group of like minded people getting together. I know the logistics are tougher away from the schmoke but you only need a few to set something up.

Annasopra

paulmorro wrote: »

+1
A lot of the sports groups in Dublin are fairly new and started as just a small group of like minded people getting together. I know the logistics are tougher away from the schmoke but you only need a few to set something up.

Exactly - and you will find that existing organisations will be willing to offer advice.

paulmorro

mango salsa wrote: »

Exactly - and you will find that existing organisations will be willing to offer advice.

Definitely. There's gotta be people in Outwest and the college LGBTs interested. And even people further afield, like limerick LGBT students based in Galway at the weekend.

If you're into the rugby, you could maybe start it as a spring Tag team (that'd only need a handful of people) and also meet up for 6 nations.

Annasopra

paulmorro wrote: »

Definitely. There's gotta be people in Outwest and the college LGBTs interested. And even people further afield, like limerick LGBT students based in Galway at the weekend.

If you're into the rugby, you could maybe start it as a spring Tag team (that'd only need a handful of people) and also meet up for 6 nations.

And also groups like SMILY in Sligo. But also emerald warriors can give advice too

I know this might seem like a completely daunting idea but if you get a few people interested you will fibd people will flock to it