SSE Airtricity and League of Ireland come together to support LGBT Ireland in advance of Pride month
- SSE Airtricity and League of Ireland come together to support LGBT Ireland in advance of Pride month
- SSE Airtricity has sponsored the National LGBT+ Helpline since 2022 which marked the first time the Helpline has been fully funded
- A branding takeover by LGBT Ireland will take place for the SSE Airtricity Men’s & Women’s Premier Division games being played on the 19 and 20 May 2023 to promote inclusion and diversity
Dublin, 17 May 2023: In advance of Pride month, SSE Airtricity, together with the League of Ireland, has today announced that it is dedicating its sponsorship branding to LGBT Ireland this weekend to promote the National LGBT+ helpline services across the country. The campaign has been launched by League of Ireland players Roberto Lopes (Shamrock Rovers) and Keeva Keenan (Shelbourne) today, 17 May.
LGBT Ireland is a national support service for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people as well as their families and friends. The organisation presents a comprehensive range of services which provide support and information on issues relating to sexuality and gender identity for every member of the community.
In 2022, the National LGBT+ Ireland helpline announced its funding partnership with SSE Airtricity. This marked the first time the helpline has been fully funded, allowing the service to remain free of charge this year. The partnership also allows LGBT Ireland to advertise further services and support volunteer training and vetting.
As title sponsor of the Men’s Premier, First and Women’s Premier Division, SSE Airtricity together with the League of Ireland are offering their existing and new sponsorship spaces at the clubs to promote the LGBT+ National Helpline within the clubs, and among fans and the community.
In a bid to drive awareness of the essential services, SSE Airtricity, the League of Ireland and LGBT Ireland are also encouraging clubs to work together on promoting their shared values of inclusion and diversity. SSE Airtricity and the League of Ireland have previously engaged in several projects to promote diversity and inclusion and understand the importance of supporting LGBT Ireland in building an open and inclusive culture.
David Manning, Director Customer Marketing and Communications at SSE Airtricity, said: “We are thrilled to be supporting LGBT Ireland with this campaign. They are a volunteer organisation that provide invaluable assistance for people across Ireland and SSE Airtricity takes great pride in supporting their efforts. In partnership with the League of Ireland we really hope that this weekend will help raise awareness for the vital work that LGBT Ireland do and we’re encouraging every club to get behind the campaign too.”
The LGBT Ireland branding takeover of SSE Airtricity’s league branding will take place at four of the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division, Men’s First Division and the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division games on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 May 2023 include:
SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division
- Fri 19 May – Shelbourne v St Patricks Athletics
SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division
- Fri 19 May – Kerry v Bray Wanderers
SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division
- Sat 20 May – Bohemians v Athlone Town
- Sat 20 May – Sligo Rovers v Shelbourne
What’s more, every club in the SSE Airtricity league will be provided with rainbow corner flags and captains’ armbands to support the takeover and Pride in June.
Mark Scanlon, Director at the League of Ireland, said: “We are proud to be a part of this fantastic initiative which will promote our clear and concrete message that football should be inclusive for all. League of Ireland grounds welcome everyone and our Clubs are diverse and strong social entities. We’re delighted that SSE Airtricity have decided to dedicate their sponsorship space to promote this important message to all our supporters, officials, players and Clubs. Together with support from SSE Airtricity, our Ambassadors and our Clubs we will continue to make League of Ireland football a welcoming environment and create vital awareness for LGBT Ireland’s incredibly important helpline service. I would encourage all League of Ireland supporters to help deliver the message of this brilliant organisation.”
Paula Fagan, CEO at LGBT Ireland, said: "LGBT Ireland is proud to be supported by SSE Airtricity and the League of Ireland in this SSE Airtricity League of Ireland takeover. As we approach Pride month, let's make sport everyone's game and send a clear message that no matter who you support, we're all on the same team."
About LGBT Ireland
LGBT Ireland provides vital support to those who need it most. The National LGBT+ Helpline is run through a network of trained volunteers based in six local helplines across the country. Based in Cork, Galway, Mayo, Kilkenny, Dundalk and Dublin, the helpline operates 30 hours a week, seven days a week. You can contact the LGBT Helpline by freephone 1800 929 539. For more information visit LGBT.ie.
