Wexford Meet Up - 9th March

Gay Wexford will be having a meet-up on the 9th of March in South51. Go along and support them if you can.

Following on from a great February event, a great turn out and a fantastic atmosphere we are delighted to announce details of our March event.
We are back once again @ South51 Bar on Wexford's South Main St
All the usual trimmings can be expected on the night
...
* Late Bar
* Dj Cullie Paul on the decks
* Complimentary finger food
* Spot Prize give-aways
* And introducing some interactive party games - win and you might be lucky to bag yourself a free shot or cocktail :-)
Admission as always is free and the party kicks off from 9pm
All you gotta do -- is be there :-)

Bernie Fitzgerald speaks at TransAction 2

TransAction 2 was held in Waterford over the weekend and was a fantastic success! Here’s a video of a speech by Bernie Fitzgerald!

Dungarvan Meet Up TONIGHT!

Don’t forget the Dungarvan meet up is tonight in Davitts for all those interested in attending.

sOUTh are holding a meet and greet for the LGBT community in Dungarvan on Wednesday February 29th in Davitts from 6pm – 9pm. This is a chance for the LGBT people of Dungarvan to air their views and would help us to assess the need for regular meetings and events etc as well as a chance to maybe join in on activities in Waterford City and Tramore.

There will be a meeting room booked for anyone concerned about privacy. Please spread the word.

Irish Investigation Launched into Transphobic Ad

From Teni

The Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland (ASAI) has launched an investigation into Paddy Power's 'Ladies Day' advertisement.

On Thursday 23 February, having received a volume of complaints, the ASAI wrote to Paddy Power to inform them that it was investigating the offensive ad. The ASAI also asked Paddy Power to voluntarily withdraw the ad while its investigation was ongoing. On Friday 24 February Paddy Power responded, confirming that the ad would not be screened on TV3 or 3E after Sunday 26 February.

The ASAI's request to withdraw the ad highlights the gravity of the case, as detailed in their guidelines:

"If a case is considered by the Secretariat, in its absolute discretion, particularly grave the Secretariat may request interim action by the advertisers/promoter or agency including the immediate amendment or withdrawal of a marketing communication pending completion of the investigation and adjudication by the Complaints Committee."

TENI Director Broden Giambrone commented, "It is a small but significant victory. The less exposure that ad has, the better. TENI looks forward to the decision of the ASAI. On a broader level, I hope that the widespread reaction to the Ladies Day ad has given marketing departments pause for thought: transphobia is not a joke, and it is not acceptable."

TransAction 2 “Educate for Health” THIS SATURDAY!

TransAction 2 will be happening THIS SATURDAY, February 25th from 9:30am to 5pm in the Edmond Rice Conference Centre on Barrack Street, Waterford City. The conference will focus on education as a tool to raise awareness and reduce some of the challenges facing the Transgender community and their families in Ireland.  

We look forward to seeing you there!

Dungarvan meet-up in association with sOUTh

sOUTh are holding a meet and greet for the LGBT community in Dungarvan on Wednesday February 29th in Davitts from 6pm – 9pm. This is a chance for the LGBT people of Dungarvan to air their views and would help us to assess the need for regular meetings and events etc as well as a chance to maybe join in on activities in Waterford City and Tramore.

There will be a meeting room booked for anyone concerned about privacy. Please spread the word.

TENI respond to Transphobic Paddy Power advert

FROM GCN

The Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) has responded to an offensive new ad campaign by Paddy Power, which calls on visitors to Ladies Day at the Cheltenham festival to "spot the Stallions from the Mares".

The 31-second ad, which broadcast on SkySports UK and Ireland over the weekend and refers to Ladies Day at the Cheltenham Festival, starts with a commentator referencing a Facebook comment on Paddy Power's page saying "can't wait to see some beauties at ladies day".

The voice-over then says that to make things "interesting", some trans ladies will be added into the mix.

Viewers were then asked to "spot the Stallions from the Mares."

TENI have contacted Paddy Power to complain about the ad's deeply transphobic content. Paddy Power – currently Ireland's largest bookmaker – has said they are taking the matter seriously and will issue a response shortly.

"The situation in Ireland is that transgender people face a huge amount of marginalisation," said Broden Giambrone, Director of TENI.

"The longer that ad stays up, the longer it is causing harm. We want for Paddy Power to do the right thing and remove it."

Watch the ad below.

Win a weekend away at Hotel Westport’s Gay Weekend

Fancy a weekend away at Hotel Westport’s Gay Weekend? Read on to find out how…

Hotel Westport is hosting a special Gay Weekend this March, and we have a weekend away for two people to give to one lucky winner! The prize includes two nights Bed & Breakfast plus entertainment from March 23 - 25.

To be in with a chance to win, simply head over to Hotel Westport's Faceook Page, click ‘like' and your name will be entered into the draw!

Hotel Westport's Gay Weekend will be held from 23rd - 25th March and again from 9th - 11th November this year. The next Girls Weekend will be held from 20th - 22nd April and 16th - 18th November. To book email reservations@hotelwestport.ie

Good Luck!

THANKS TO GCN

Our new blog!

Welcome to sOUTh’s new blog! This is just the beginning of a brand new web presence that we’ll be building up for Waterford’s LGBT organisation. We’ll be updating you on events and news from Waterford and the South East as well as anything we think might interest you from all over Ireland and the rest of the world. In the meantime, spread the word and let your friends know we’re here. You can subscribe to the blog by clicking on the button on the left or you can follow us by clicking “join this site”