Belong To - LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland {{Short description|LGBTQ+ youth charity in Ireland}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{More citations needed|date=May 2010}} {{Infobox organization | name = Belong To - LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland | image_size = 175px | image_alt = <!-- alt text; see [[WP:ALT]] --> | map = <!-- optional --> | formation = {{Start date|2003|03|}} | type = [[Non-governmental organization|NGO]] | status = Charity | purpose = LGBTQ+ youth organisation | headquarters = Parliament House, 13 Parliament Street, Dublin 2 | region_served = [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] | membership = LGBTQ+ young people from 14–23 years old | language = <!-- official languages --> | leader_title = CEO | leader_name = Michael Barron (2003–2013)
David Carroll (2013–2015) Moninne Griffith (2015–present) | leader_title2 = Moninne Griffith, CEO (2015-present) | main_organ = Board of Directors | parent_organization = <!-- if one --> | affiliations = [[International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association|ILGA]], [[ILGYO]], [[NYCI]] | budget = €1,314,781 | website = {{URL|belongto.org}} a | remarks = }} '''Belong To''' - LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland is the national organisation for LGBTQ+ young people in Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Homepage |url=https://www.belongto.org/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=Belong To - LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland |language=en-GB}}</ref> Since 2003, Belong To has worked with LGBTQ+ youth to create a society where they safe to shine and can confidently shape their own futures. It is a registered charity and works with and for LGBT+ youth across Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Belong To Youth Advisory Panel |url=https://www.belongto.org/support-our-work/advocacy/belong-to-youth-advisory-panel/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=Belong To - LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland |language=en-GB}}</ref>
Belong To offers advice, information and crisis counselling for LGBTQ+ youth, and supports LGBTQ+ youth groups across Ireland. Through training, they ensure LGBTQ+ young people are met by professionals, organisations, and services who are educated to meet and support their needs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-15 |title=LGBTQ+ students on bullying in school: ‘I couldn’t share who I truly was, it was exhausting’ |url=https://www.independent.ie/life/lgbtq-students-on-bullying-in-school-i-couldnt-share-who-i-truly-was-it-was-exhausting/a570052223.html |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=www.independent.ie |language=en}}</ref> The organisation also campaigns to ensure policy formation and practice is informed by the voice and experiences of LGBTQ+ young people.
==History== Belong To has its origins in an earlier Dublin-based youth group called OutYouth, which was run by youth volunteers in conjunction with the Gay Switchboard Dublin. Due to the voluntary nature of the group its operation was sometimes sporadic. In the final years of OutYouth, the group met with other LGBT organisations in Dublin and the City of Dublin Youth Services Board to seek funding for a new youth service project. The project secured funding from the [[Department of Education and Youth|Irish Department of Education]] and Belong To was formed in March 2003.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of BeLonG To|url=http://www.belongto.org/pro/page.aspx?subsectionid=4674|publisher=BeLonG To|access-date=5 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107135509/http://belongto.org/pro/page.aspx?subsectionid=4674|archive-date=7 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Groups== '''Dublin''' *Under 18's for 14- to 17-year-olds. *IndividualiTy for 18- to 23-year-olds who are trans or questioning. *Over 18's for 18- to 23-year-olds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Belong To's Youth Group |url=https://www.belongto.org/support-for-me/support-services/belongto-youthgroups/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=Belong To - LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|LGBTQ}} *[[LGBT rights in the Republic of Ireland]]
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.belongto.org/ BeLonG To] — official website
[[Category:LGBTQ organisations based in the Republic of Ireland]] [[Category:LGBTQ youth organisations based in the Republic of Ireland]]
{{LGBT in Ireland}}{{LGBT-org-stub}}