Annual Report

2010

11A White Street

Cork
Email: info@linc.ie
www.linc.ie

Contents
Introduction and Chairperson’s Address by Susan O’Brien Page 2-3

Executive Summary Page 4

Healthcare and Mental Health Page 5

Education, Learning and Skills Page 6

Provision of Supports Page 7-14

Policy and Communications Page 15-16

Fiscal Agent Page 17

Financial Accounts Page 18

Funding, Governance and Evaluation Page 19

Steering Group and Staff Page 20

INTRODUCTION
1
LINC (Advocating for Lesbian and Bisexual Women in Ireland) is a Company Limited by Guarantee
and a registered Charity (CHY No. 18645). Parfrey Murphy Audited Accountants provide advice and
assistance with LINC’s annual audit accounts. The accounts are lodged with the Companies
Registration Office.

For over twenty years, Lesbian and Bisexual (LB) women in Cork have been providing support
services for others in the community and have been active in promoting equality and social inclusion
for LB women. LINC now in its’ twelfth year is the fruit of such activism and continues to develop and
expand at local, regional and national level. The management, staff, volunteers and community
members acknowledge the many different women who have been part of this historical progression.
LINC is the only community development organisation working exclusively with Lesbian and Bisexual
women in the Republic of Ireland.

Diversity is embraced within LINC and respect for the values; life experiences; cultural and political
views of everyone in the community is a key aspect. The main focus of work is to provide a safe
accessible resource space to the LBT community and their families and to support this community to
develop both individual and group networks using a peer support model. The provision of health
focused programmes, education and training (in house and in the wider community) and social
supports are essential to the health and well- being of our service users and their next of kin.

LINC aims to:

Improve the quality of life, health and well-being of all women who identify as lesbian or bisexual in
Ireland.

Objectives:
* To build a safe, accessible and vibrant community centre (actual and virtual) for lesbians, bisexual
and transsexual (LBT) women.
* To provide information and support for LBT women and their families.
* To promote the mental, physical, emotional and sexual health of LBT women.
* To inform and contribute to relevant policy development at local, regional and national level.
* To be a model of best practice rooted in feminist, social justice and community development
principles.

Chairpersons Address

2
LINC relies on the dedication and hard work of its staff, steering group and volunteers; the goodwill
of the community it serves; and the support of its funders for its continued success. I would like to
thank everyone involved for all that has been achieved in 2010.

Despite operating without a full time coordinator or administrator, LINC has extended its opening
hours in 2010. A successful survey of community members was carried out and actions arising from
the results of the survey in addition to a literal ‘open-door’ policy have seen LINC re-engage with
many community members and welcome new ones. In addition to ongoing groups, such as Women
in Recovery and Mna Mna Choir, which use LINC as a meeting place 2010 saw the development of
the Phoenix Youth Group, a children’s Glee summer camp, and LATE LINC – a revamped Thursday
night drop in. The Bisexual Women’s group and a Writing group will grow with continued support
from LINC.

LINC’s Christmas party, children’s Christmas party, Craft Fair and Volunteers Recognition barbeque
were all fun and popular social events which allow LBT women to meet, socialise and network in a
safe environment. LINC also supported Team Cork in their participation in the 2010 Gay Games in
Cologne and congratulates them on their successes! Virtual support and networking increased in
2010 with use of Facebook, design of a new website, email distribution of weekly newsletter and a
texting service.

LINC operated as fiscal agent in 2010 for the Building Sustainable LGBT Communities programme.
This was a very challenging role which has built the capacity of LINC in many ways. LINC will remain
fiscal agent for the LGBT Diversity strand until 2012.

The promotion of health care and education for Lesbian and Bisexual women and their families is the
core of what LINC is about. In 2010 a ‘Mind Yourself – My Positive Health’ programme was
developed which provided mental health awareness seminars, interactive workshops, and a Peer
Support Suicide Awareness and Intervention Programme.
LINC also made available individual counseling services for community members in 2010.

Despite ending 2010 with a flooded building, LINC looks forward to continuing its essential work in
2011. Once again thanks to the wonderfully committed staff, all our funders, the volunteers and
steering group with special thanks to Helen Slattery for her previous three years commitment as
Chairperson of the steering group.

Left to right: Tina (Community Liaison Worker, Susan (Chairperson) and Karla (Administrator)
Celebrating the launch of LINC’s new logo

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Executive Summary

Issues/concerns requiring a response

Although it is widely acknowledged within and outside the Community and Voluntary sector that
approximately ten percent of any population are Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual, the allocation of main
stream funding for the LGBT sector remains extremely weak. Research carried out in Ireland over
recent years clearly shows the significant need for supports and services specific to LGBT people and
their families, in particular the capacity to provide health and education supports. Resourcing this
work is a challenge to the small staff team of one part-time co-ordinator and two part-time
Community Employment Scheme (“CE”) staff and a dedicated team of volunteers.

Ongoing Development/areas of excellence

Despite the lack of financial and human resources, LINC manages to provide supports and services to
LB women and their families and engages with the wider community to deliver its’ aims and
objectives. This is largely due to the passion, commitment and energy of the Steering group, staff,
volunteers and community members combined with a strong supportive relationship with our HSE
Community Worker. LINC has managed to maintain its ethos where LINC is ‘for the community and
by the community’ as well as continuing to diversify and develop.

Overall Judgement

LINC is a thriving effective organisation which is growing and diversifying rapidly. The needs of the
LBT community and their families are broad and multi-levelled with a strong health focus. The
provision of appropriate services and programmes to meet these needs is a priority for LINC. While
existing services and groups provide some support, the daily requests for information and supports
across a broad range of issues continue to grow. As LINC continues to become more successful, an
ever increasing number of women with mental health and other health related issues have been
contacting LINC and using the centre. We respond to such a broad range of issues with limited
resources. To achieve these objectives, LINC requires the centre to be open full time (in particular,
outside of regular hours) and needs a strong supported team, in particular a full-time Co-ordinator,
Community Health Worker and full-time Administrator.

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Healthcare and Mental Health
Underpinning all of LINC’s service provision is promoting health care and education for Lesbian and
Bisexual (LB) women and their families.

This year LINC was able to provide a targeted health programme funded by The ESB Electric Aid and
HSE LINC’s ‘Mind Yourself - My Positive Health’ programme was developed in early 2010 by a
working group comprising of LINC’s co-ordinator, steering group members and community
members with expertise and an interest in the area of mental, physical, emotional and sexual health.

The aim was to provide a community health and education programme to promote mental,
emotional and sexual health awareness and understanding for lesbian and bisexual women. This
programme took place in LINC ensuring a safe, confidential and supportive environment.

This programme provided:

Two Introductory Seminars to promote mental health awareness and understanding within the
Lesbian and Bisexual community (one specifically for youth and one for older lesbian and bisexual
women).
This was followed by a 5 week ‘Peer Support Suicide Awareness and Intervention Programme’ for
both groups. This programme was community based providing support on a needs basis with a focus
on: developing listening and communication skills; role play and group discussions.

This training was followed by a series of interactive workshops:

o Coping Skills (Coping Strategies for life events)

o Emotional Intelligence (Knowing how you feel, knowing how someone else feels and
knowing what to do about it)
o Stress Management (Recognizing stress and understanding how to manage it)
o Positive Sexual Health and Understanding Bisexuality workshops.

Palm cards and information leaflets were produced. A programme leaflet and information palm
cards with Support Helplines and Forums was designed and widely distributed

Individual Counselling services were made available for community members

Two staff and two volunteers from LINC participated in Suicide Assist (provided by and funded
through the HSE) training this year. This training is a valuable tool in that it helps staff and volunteers
apply suicide first aid in the LGBT Community as well as everyday situations, professional work and
volunteering. Assist trains participants to reduce the immediate risk of a suicide and increase
support for a person at risk. It helps them seek a shared understanding of reasons for suicide and
reasons for living.

5
Education
Research shows that LGBT people may suffer greatly in school as a result of Homophobia and are
prone to early school leaving……..

LINC provides educational programmes on an annual basis both in-house and within our Outreach
Programme. The deciding factors pertaining to what training is made available is largely dependent
on funding allocation and community needs. In 2010, LINC provided:

o Basic IT skills
o CV design and development
o Communications
o Volunteer training
o Suicide assist
o Basic first aid
o Cardiac first response training
o Health care training (outlined above)
o Transgender awareness training,
o Sexual orientation and Homophobia awareness training

LINC’s Outreach Awareness Training Programme is delivered to: secondary schools, colleges, social
and care professionals; community development projects; family resource centres; service agencies
such as HSE, An Garda Siochana, local partnerships; youth organisations etc…

The purpose of this awareness training is to raise awareness, not to lay blame with individuals who
have scepticism or fear of homosexuality. The question of sexual orientation is a sensitive and
sometimes challenging subject for many people. The ethos of LINC is to heighten awareness and
understanding around discrimination and prejudice. We are acutely aware of the challenges people
face in understanding the question of sexual orientation, but this fact need not be a barrier to
gaining a better knowledge and understanding and consequently alter attitudes positively. The
training consists of:

◊ An Overview of LINC

◊ Equality and Diversity – open discussion on the meaning of these words in

Irish society and for marginalized groups

◊ Homophobia and Sexual Orientation Awareness Group Work which includes: exploring
sexual orientation; defining Homophobia, myth busting and consequences of Homophobia; role
play; personal experiences; coming out; how to LGBT proof your organisation; open discussions with
question and answer sessions.

The requests for this training are growing at a phenomenal rate in all areas of Irish society.

6
Provision of Supports
The provision of supports in LINC is always dictated by the community’s needs.

In the last couple of years, various large scale surveys have been undertaken in Ireland of the
broader LGBT community, such as NGLF’s Burning Issues (2009) and the Supporting LGBT Lives
survey commissioned by GLEN and BeLongTo in 2008. These, however, have not focussed on the
specific needs of LBT women.

In August of 2010, LINC conducted its widest ever community survey ‘What Women Want’. The aims
were:

 To take a snapshot of the LBT community’s composition

 To raise our profile amongst groups within the LBT community which were under-represented
within LINC’s membership
 To undertake a community service needs analysis which would inform LINC’s priorities and
programme of activities from 2010 to 2011.
 To identify community needs which statutory service provision is not meeting

The survey responses also allowed LINC to identify which sections of the community we are not
successfully in communication with, whether by, for example, geographical area or age.

Such a survey is at best a partial snapshot of the community as there are no official statistics on the
numbers of LBT women in Ireland. It does, however, illustrate some common concerns across the
community, and some areas which need work. It cannot though be read as entirely representative as
the 250 respondents are but a small proportion of the Irish LBT population.

How was the survey conducted?

The survey itself was conducted through a popular on-line survey design tool and was promoted
primarily through electronic media. It was advertised on LGBT websites and in LGBT publications and
through LGBT organisations’ contact lists. A press release was issued and was picked up by the Irish
Independent. The respondents were inevitably self-selecting. There were both quantitative and
open ended questions. The survey was open for a period of two weeks.

Survey Analysis

Themes
Throughout the survey responses, both quantitative and open-ended, run certain themes. Due to
the small sample size, these are indicative of the concerns of the wider community. The areas of
greatest concern to the range of respondents are:

 Family rights: including those of both the child and the parent, and recognition of the lesbian
relationship
 Isolation and what needs to be done to tackle this
 Emotional and mental health support
 Workplace discrimination

7
 The survey asked “Would you like to be involved in discussing policy issues which impact on the L&B
community? And if yes, what current policy concerns are most important to you?”

LBT Families.

A key concern is the rights of LBT families in the widest sense. This encompasses rights of the child,
the parents, both together and individually. There is also concern expressed at the lack of equality in
the Civil Partnership Bill, however, this tends to couched in terms of family recognition and stability.

Family Rights

Child Parents

Family

Individual

Family Rights

What the women said were their policy concerns…

“Civil Partnership, while it “Marriage and “Children and Parents’ rights-or

will have many positive
outcomes I also believe it
will affect our sub culture
in a detrimental way”.
recognition of families”
“Rights of children to non-
biological parents or
'second parent' in
adoptions.”
lack of! Equality legislation.”
“Children are not recognised in the
current civil partnership bill”

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Emotional and Mental Health Support

The need for appropriate emotional and mental health supports is a thread that runs through many
of the responses to different questions. Some examples are shown here, the complete survey
analysis is available on the LINC website and in the centre.

In response to the question “Do you have any issues around accessing healthcare?”
The replies included:

“These aren't specific to my identity. Public mental health services are total
crap and private care isn't covered by insurance. There's a huge gap!”

“Really would love to see LINC organising couple therapy sessions- some group
work even around the subject. I found it hard to access a suitable therapist
when I was having a hard time in my relationship. Same for someone to talk to
kids and act as advocate.”

“The HSE cut out public mental health funding and private insurance doesn't
cover counselling. Mental health is obviously NOT important to the HSE. Their
campaign says it all...take care of yourself (because we won't take care of
you).”

It is evident that there are strongly held views on perceived barriers to mental health services, and
that there is also a clearly articulated need for early intervention services in the form of workshops,
peer support groups and 1 to 1 support.

Other Health Concerns

Sexual Health is also a matter of concern to the LBT community. In response to the question, “Do
you have any issues around accessing healthcare?” 26 respondents expressed concern about access
to Sexual Health services and 57 respondents said that they would be interested in attending a
workshop on sexual health.

Access to Fertility Services. 13 participants stated that they had concerns about accessing fertility
services, 1 wanted better access to “sperm donor clinics” and 34 replied that they would like to
attend a workshop on IVF/Fertility Treatments.

Other themes

Issues concerning the older Health and social care policy

Lesbian, e.g. social gatherings, issues for older lesbians.
retirement, healthcare,
nursing homes and finance.

“the respect for GID women’s

identity, it has no existence at
moment in the lgbt community”

9
 It's a great centre. When I was
confused about my sexuality it
was great to know that that
centre was there, as I felt less
alone and part of a
community. I used often check
the website to see what
events and classes were
coming up
LINC had been a major help in
previous years for me and I am
so grateful for all its help and
advice given to me, it has helped
me in so many ways, so carry on
doing what you all do best, well
done
“LINC is somewhere I
can be myself”
10
I have to say, I had a mate in
Cork who came out in her
20's and LINC were an
amazing help to her, so for
that, I just wanna say fair
play to all you do! It really
doesn't go unnoticed
Very well devised questions
covering a whole range of issues.
Response towards the survey will
hopefully rekindle the lack of info
and advice for lgbt people Support
is essential. Interest should
hopefully strengthen and we as a
community can grow and grow Linc
has been like a 2nd home to me
and without it I would feel very
lonely and insecure
 LINC provided the following supports in 2010:
Youth Support

Support for LB youth in Cork has suffered during recent years. The lack of funding and staff had
serious implications for our youth group. In 2010 with a small grant from the VEC, LINC focused on
developing what is now known as the Phoenix Youth Group. This group is growing rapidly with the
support of our youth worker and provides a supportive and educational space for young LB women
every Wednesday evening from 6-8pm. The parents of these young women are encouraged to meet
with LINC’s co-ordinator and youth worker and develop good relationship networks between the
community centre and family.

Also, in 2010 LINC and The Cork Gay Project with the support of BeLonG To (The National LGBT
Youth Organisation) developed the Cork LGBT Youth Steering Committee. The Committee provides
support to both centres in the continuing development of good governance and funding strategy for
both UNITE and Phoenix youth groups. Youth Work Ireland, Cork VEC and BeLonG To are committed
to supporting LINC and The Cork Gay Project in the funding of a part time youth worker.

Parents and Children Supports

LINC supports lesbian and bisexual parents/carers and their children throughout the year with the
provision of educational and social activities.

This year, LINC supported a children’s drama summer camp for one week in July. The aim of the
camp was for the kids of lesbian and bisexual parents to work together on a creative and fun project.
The kids at the camp were particularly interested in Glee so a number of songs from the sound track
were used as well as a medley of Grease songs. The dancing was a mixture of generic dance moves
used in musicals, hip hop and Michael Jackson. The acting script was based on an adaptation of
Grease.

The camp facilitators used the humanist approach to education. They facilitated the creation of the
kind of performance that the kids wanted to do by engaging with them as holistic individual’s i.e.
not just with intellect but emotions, social awareness and physical skills. The kids themselves led the
creative process. They cast the show and chose who would play each character. They were the
musical directors in that they divided out the lines between them and decided if duets would be
better in certain places or solos or trios or the ensemble. They also choreographed the dances using
Marriage andsteps they learned from the facilitators and also from each other. In rehearsing for the play the
recognition of families
actors moved where they felt their character should move thereby blocking the play themselves. The
kids even decided how their characters moved and how their characters stood based on what the
facilitators had taught them about the qualities of movement and how everyone walks differently
and how emotions affect movement.

The facilitators noticed that when casting the male lead the group chose a girl. The kids themselves
thought of gender as a fluid thing. The kids seemed unaware or conscious of this and the facilitators
thought it noteworthy as it will inevitably inform their perception of sexuality and their relationship
with their lesbian and bisexual parents.

11
The kids with lesbian and bisexual parents felt a sense of belonging to the group. A mother claimed
that her child had a negative perception of lesbian parenting until she took part in the camp. ‘She
often feels like a freak but here she feels normal.’

Bisexual Women’s Group

This group, although clearly identified as a significant need in our community has suffered because
we are unable to provide the level of support needed to sustain the group’s development. Six weeks
of supported facilitation is not enough to enable the group to continue within a peer support model.
LINC aim’s to source further programme funding in 2011 to provide the necessary training and
support for bisexual women and their families.

Women in Recovery

This group started again in 2009 and meets every week in LINC to access peer support.

Mna Mna Choir

This group runs every Thursday night from 8-10pm. The musical director gives her time on a
voluntary basis. The choir space is open as a drop in service and provides a fun and informal space in
which to sing and meet like-minded women

Lesbian Helpline

The help-line is run by a group of trained volunteers and supported by LINC through the provision
support from staff and steering group and a room in the centre. The group continues to develop
itself by providing training to new volunteers annually. The line runs on Wednesday from 7pm -9pm
and provides confidential information and support to women who are questioning their sexuality, in
the process of ‘coming out’ or who are new to the City and need information. In 2010, the lesbian
help line and other LGBT helplines in Ireland joined forces and launched the new LGBT National
Helpline. The National Helpline is funded by Community Foundation of Ireland and also provides a
website LGBT.ie

Drop in

In 2010, LINC increased its’ opening hours to the public. LINC’s drop-in service is hosted by staff and
volunteers Monday – Wednesday 11am-3pm and Thursday is LATE LINC where the centre is open to
everyone from 11am – 8pm. This is an invaluable service where women can access support, develop
informal networks, find information and have a sense of belonging in a safe and supportive
environment where they can be completely ‘Out’. This service also acts as a first step into
participation in the existing groups in LINC and builds capacity to volunteering at all levels of the
organisation.

One to one support

This continues to be a significant area of need within the LBT community and for family and friends
of LBT people. LINC struggles to provide this service due to lack of staff resources.

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Volunteering

LINC relies heavily on the support of its community members to give of their time voluntarily. In
2010, LINC acknowledged the many volunteers with a Volunteer Appreciation Brunch. Over thirty
women and children attended and received certificates of appreciation. Volunteer training,
induction and Peer Support training takes place annually in LINC.

Social Events

Social events play an important role for service users. They provide entertainment and an informal
environment in which to meet other LBT people; gain information; understand and learn about the
LGBT Community…….

Christmas Celebrations

LINC’s Christmas Party. This annual event is held on/around 20 th December and proves very popular
with the community. This year the LINC choir performed and other community members provided
entertaining party pieces. This is followed by the traditional Christmas carol session. For many
women, this may be the only celebration they can embrace completely as an LBT woman.

Christmas Craft Fair - was held at the beginning of December. Community Members were invited to
sell their crafts at LINC. This was open to the public and feedback from community members showed
this was very much a social event as well as the opportunity to do some Christmas shopping!

The Annual Children’s Christmas party continues to grow and has become one of the most popular
events in LINC with other members of the community volunteering so as to be a part of this very
special day. 2010 was the busiest year ever with 20 children and their parents/carers participating.
This year it was held on a particularly harsh day re weather conditions of snow and ice. This did not
deter the little ones in our community. Promises of Satty Santa, elves, pressies and especially the
annual visit from our furry and not so furry friends from The Animal Road Show would have had
them trudging through snow drifts if necessary!

Virtual support – Website, Facebook, Newsletter, Text service

For many women this is their only easily accessible contact with LINC and the LB community. This is
due to many factors, but geographic isolation is a key factor. The website is particularly important
for young lesbians who are too young and/or reluctant to become in involved in many of our other
groups and activities. This site is updated by our staff and volunteers to keep women informed of
LINC events and wider current policy and legislative changes.

Facebook has become a valuable social networking tool for the LGBT Community and LINC.

The weekly newsletter is a valuable tool as a way of regularly informing the LBT community about
LINC training, events and general information. Unfortunately, only those with access to computers
receive it as there is no financial resource available for postage.

For women without access to the Internet, LINC uses text service when possible to inform
community members about supports and services.

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Supporting our LGBT Community: All the groups below are volunteer run in
Cork and are supported by LINC at different levels, by providing meeting
space, participating, volunteering, and advertising in the centre, on our
website and email data base

Women’s
Miss Gay
Cork Women’s Fun Weekend
Cork Rebel
Camp
Awards

Badminton
Tennis

TEAM Cork

Cork
Pride

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Social Policy
The issues affecting Lesbian and Bisexual women have come into sharp focus within the social policy
arena. Issues relating to “coming out”, same sex partnership rights, lesbian parenting, access to
hetero-normative public services and homophobic violence, amongst others, have become central
to the development of the equality agenda in Ireland. Due to funding constraints LINC has, to date,
responded reactively in this regard but given its role as the only Lesbian organisation in the Republic
of Ireland the Steering Group would prefer LINC to be proactive in the emerging debate and analysis
through providing representation at the policy makers’ tables. LINC is represented in policy
development on several groups at local and regional level.

2010 was a historical year for the LGBT people of Ireland in that Civil Partnership for same sex
couple was granted. However, LINC considers it to be a starting point on the road to achieving full
equality for Lesbian and Gay people and their families. The proposed Civil Partnership Bill does not
provide equality, recognition and legal protection currently enjoyed by opposite sex
couples/families. In actuality, the proposed Civil Partnership promotes inequality, exclusion and
discrimination on fundamental basic Human Rights”. The absence of the term ‘family’ clearly
positions same-sex couples with or without children outside of the family unit. This undeniably
subjects same-sex couples and their children to inequality, discrimination and prejudice on the basis
of sexual orientation. Our former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern stated: “Our sexual orientation is not an
incidental attribute. It is an essential part of who we are and what we are. All citizens, regardless of
sexual orientation, stand equal in the eyes of the law. Sexual orientation cannot, and must not, be
the basis for second-class citizenship. Our laws have changed, and will continue to change to reflect
this principle”. Although the Taoiseach’s statement states that lesbians and gay men are equal in
the law, this is not the case in relation to marriage. Civil partnership certainly does not accord this
equality to lesbians and gay men. The most serious deficit with Civil Partnership legislation is the
absence of the acknowledgement of children within same-sex families even though the
government-established Colley group identified the welfare of children as a key principle to inform
its work. The lack of recognition and protection afforded to children fails to support and protect the
rights of children in line with international human rights law. Article 17 of the ICCR (International
Conference on Cultural Policy Research) states: “ Every child shall have without discrimination as to
race, colour, sex, language, religion, national or social origin, property or birth, the right to such
measures of protection as are required by his status as a minor, on the part of his/her family,
society and the state”.

LINC continues to advocate for a civil partnership/marriage which contains the crucial rights and

15
protections needed in relation to the position of children and families, where financial provision for
children is set out and which grants to civil partners, inter alia, guardianship rights and adoption
rights.

Homophobia, discrimination and social exclusion based on one’s sexual orientation continues to
impact on lesbian and bisexual women and their families throughout Ireland and in particular, in
rural areas where supports and services are non-existent. LINC continues to promote education and
advocate for inclusion and equality through the provision of Sexual Orientation and Homophobia
Awareness training, by creating strong links and developing positive relations with local
partnerships, community organisations and service agencies.
LINC is a member of the Cork Interagency GLB Steering group. This group works towards
implementing the recommendations of Objective ’86 “Imagine Our Future” - Cork City Development
Board’s Integrated Strategy which states:
“Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual people will be enabled to fully participate in the social, cultural and
economic life of Cork City”. This will also result in an improvement in the service delivery to the gay,
lesbian and bisexual communities by public sector organisations.

LINC is represented on the Steering Committee of the Building Sustainable LGBT Communities
Programme - LGBT Diversity. This provides an opportunity for LGBT organisations nationwide to:
meet regularly; build positive working relationships; network with funders; impact on policy
legislation and work together to develop a cohesive LGBT sector in Ireland. As part of the LGBT
Diversity programme, a comprehensive LGBT Parenthood Research is being developed and will roll
out in early 2011.

Communications
Regular communication with the LB Community is in the form of a weekly newsletter sent to over
300 recipients. The LINC website is in the process of being revamped and will launch in early 2011.
Other forms of communication used are Facebook, text mail and various advertising methods as well
as an open door policy in the centre.

LINC continues to represent and advocate for LB women and their families with the media in Cork
and beyond. In 2010, local and national newspapers interviewed LINC’s Co-ordinator and community
members on significant topics as: Coming Out later in life, lesbian parenting, lesbian headed families,
discuss the need for organisations like LINC and the service provision as well as challenging
heterosexist views publicly. Local radio stations rely on LGBT Organisations to discuss the
consequences of homophobic bullying; the need for equality; reactions to legislation, campaigns
etc…
16
Fiscal Agent
In late 2009 the directors of LINC endorsed LINC’s role as fiscal agent for the Building Sustainable
LGBT Communities 3 year programme. A Memorandum of Understanding was drawn up to formally
acknowledge the respective roles and responsibilities of the various parties and signed between
LINC, the Joint Working Group and Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI). The Fiscal Agent
actively participates in the Joint Working Group and works closely with the: LGBT Diversity
Chairperson; Programme Manager; TENI Chairperson, Treasurer; Director (formerly Programme Co-
ordinator) and both Programme administrators.

Fiscal Agent role is a new role for LINC and presented both challenges and opportunities during the
first year. The tasks involved, significantly built the capacity of LINC in terms of:

 Following best practice in the recruitment and selection of staff.

 Ensuring transparency in the management of finances and developing solid standard
operating procedures.
 Interagency work – The importance of role clarification and boundaries between the
various stake holders within the Programme.
 Implementing Sage Accounts Package and IBB for all Fiscal agent accounts and LINC.
 Maintaining the on- going work of LINC while managing the complexities of fiscal
agent role for a new programme.
 Working closely with the member organisations of the Joint Working Group has
enabled LINC as an organisation to access support and be supportive. Strong
working relationships are developing as a result.

LINC’s role as fiscal agent for the TENI strand ended at December 31 st 2010 as they became an
incorporated company limited. The fiscal agent role for LGBT Diversity will continue until December
2012.

17
Financial Report
LINC has developed a set of good practice financial management procedures which meet the
stringent requirements of acceptance of monies from the public purse. To this end, LINC employs
the services of a chartered accountant and is fully compliant as regards tax clearance and registered
charity requirements for external audit.

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Funders:
LINC’s Steering group would like to acknowledge with thanks and appreciation all the funders who
supported LINC in the provision of supports and services to our community in 2010:

Health Service Executive (HSE)

Cork City Partnership
VEC
Department of Health and Children
LGBT Community

Governance and Evaluation

Since its establishment a Steering Group has managed LINC. The Steering Group consists of: the
directors of LINC; voluntary members from the community; representatives of the various peer
support groups facilitated by LINC and a representative from the HSE. The Steering Group meets on
a monthly basis and more frequently if required. Its stated role is to manage the organisation and
provide assistance and guidance to staff in relation to the overall management of LINC. In addition,
and perhaps most importantly, Steering Group members are charged with maintaining the overall
ethos of LINC as stated in the vision and aims of the organisation. Members of the Steering Group
are elected through the Annual General Meeting, with officers – Chairperson, Treasurer and
Secretary being appointed by the elected Steering Group members. Since its incorporation as a
company limited by guarantee a number of Steering Group members have agreed to become
directors of the company and therefore carry the additional responsibility of compliance with
various Companies legislation and regulations.

LINC continues to evaluate and build the capacity of this management group through training,
strategic planning and annual reviews of policies, procedures and the provision of supports and
services to its’ members.

A staff and management handbook has been developed and is presently at draft stage.

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LINC’s Steering Group Members

Susan O’Brien (Chairperson) joined LINC’s Steering Group in 2009. She has been active in the LGBT
community in New York and Ireland for over twenty years.

Helen Slattery is one of the founding members of LINC. Helen served as LINC’s Chairperson for three
years (2008-2010) she has been politically active in the LGBT community for over twenty years and is
committed to the further development and sustainability of LINC.

Eleanor Moore is a Community Development/support worker with the HSE. Her role is to support
the management team and ensure a health focus and activities that are funded by the HSE

Kate Moynihan (Secretary) is a qualified social worker working with the Traveller Visibility Group.
She has been a steering group member since 2005 and prior to that as a drop-in volunteer. Her
particular interest is in social policy.

Anne Crotty has been involved with LINC, and in particular the choir, since 2008. She holds a degree
in Social Science and a Master’s in Women’s Studies from UCC and hopes to pursue a career in
Holistic Health Therapy. She joined the steering group in 2010 and is enjoying ‘giving back’ to the
community in a voluntary capacity.

Staff

Toddy Hogan (Project Co-ordinator) is involved with LINC since 2003 as a Steering Group member
for four years and as Co-ordinator since 2008. She is an experienced Community Development and
Education resource worker with significant experience in project and programme management.

Karla Crowley (Administrator) is working in LINC since May 2010 on a FAS CE Scheme.
She is qualified in Accounts/Payroll and has numerous years of office and administration experience.

Tina Carr (Development Worker) has been the Community Liaison worker in LINC since September
2011.  She comes from a facilitation/Trainer background having worked in the Community sector for
9 years specialising in sexual health.  Tina is also a trained Community Mediator and has worked as a
community mediator with Cork Mediation Services.

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