How BeLong To is supporting LGBTQ+ youth
At Dropbox, one of our core beliefs is that when our communities win, we win. Several years ago, this idea led to the creation of the Dropbox Foundation, which partners with organizations that support human rights by providing access to equal opportunities, basic freedoms, and fundamental necessities.
One of the organizations we’ve partnered with in 2021 is BeLong To, an incredible group that supports LGBTQ+ youth in Ireland by providing counseling services, connecting them with like-minded peers, and challenging oppressive societal systems and structures. In recognition of Pride Month, our Pridebox team hosted a special fireside chat with Oisín O’Reilly, Head of Operations and Fundraising at BeLong To. Here are some takeaways from the insightful and moving discussion.
1. Pride is more than just a celebration.
Events like Pride are a “lifeline” for LGBTQ+ young people, helping them “know that there is something beyond them, that they are not alone, that there are people who love them and recognize them for who they are.” With the Dublin Pride Parade cancelled for the second year in a row, Oisín and the team have pivoted to run 280 virtual events throughout June, ensuring that vulnerable young people still have the opportunity to connect and be themselves.
2. COVID has had a detrimental impact on many LGBTQ+ young people.
BeLong To’s Life in Lockdown research shows that the pandemic has exacerbated mental health struggles for many LGBTQ+ youth — especially those who have been cut off from their support networks and may not feel accepted at home. Sadly, they are three times more likely to experience suicide ideation and four times more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. As a result, there has been a 113% increase in demand for BeLong To’s services since the beginning of the pandemic.
3. But there are some silver linings.
During the pandemic, BeLong To successfully moved a lot of its counseling and outreach services online, meaning that young people outside of Dublin, or those who are unable to travel, have been able to attend support groups. They’ve even had terminally ill patients attend their services from hospital. After the pandemic, the charity will continue a blended approach, mixing in-person with virtual events. Oisín also noted that “everyone has felt disconnected over the past year, we’ve all been cut off from some element that we relied on,” and so there is a “real moment where people can understand what isolation might feel like for an LGBTQ+ young person.”
So what can I do to help?
Education is key to combatting discrimination and bullying of LGBTQ+ youth in our societies. If you are a parent, write to your child’s school and ask what anti-bullying programming is in place and if it is inclusive of LGBTQ+, gender, and anti-racist content. And, if you’re a recent grad, and you’ve seen or experienced bullying in your high school or university, share your experience. This can help staff better understand what’s happening in school and the need for inclusive programming.
