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[Voter Registration] Making sure you can vote on May 25th

4/4/2018

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Now that the date has been set for the referendum that will allow us to repeal the 8th, the deadline is also set for the Supplement to the Register of Electors.

Any additions or amendments to the supplement must be made more than 14 days before an election (excluding Sundays and holidays). In the case of the referendum on the 25th of May, this means you MUST have submitted the form by the 8th of May at the very latest. Ideally as soon as possible.

Registering requires form RFA 2 available here.

Change of address from that you are already registered under requires form RFA 3 available here. 

Now that the date is set, if you are still 17 but will be 18 on or before the 25th of May you may register now, using form RFA 2 above.  It is advisable to include a photocopy of your birth certificate.

This also means that if you are going to need a postal vote and are not yet registered for one, you must register by the 27th of April.
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If you require a postal vote due to physical disability or illness you need form PVS 1 available here.
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If you require a postal vote due to circumstances related to your occupation (which includes some students) you need form PVS 2 available here. Check with your employer or institution to be sure you are eligible.

Postal votes are only available within the country, except for some cases where you are abroad on State business (military, Garda or diplomatic service).

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Bi+ Ireland welcomes review of the RSE curriculum

3/4/2018

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We at Bi+ Ireland welcome the news that Minister Bruton has called for a review of the RSE (relationships and sexuality education) curriculum, has identified consent as a priority, and also that LGBTQ+ issues will be addressed.

The current curriculum is sorely lacking in both of these regards, which is failing the young people of this country. We look forward eagerly to learning of what improvements will be made.

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[Wanted] Bi+ Ireland Event Coordinators

20/3/2018

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Our Bi+ community has grown so much over the last two years! We now run a variety of events on a regular basis, all over the country. We aim to be an all-ireland, inclusive organisation. We’re looking for community members to join our coordinator team, specifically to help grow and support our events.

Bi+ Ireland is Inclusive

Inclusion for us not only means that the venues we host events in are psychically accessible, but that we also run a range of events that are accessible for everyone whether that’s cost, location, noise/interaction level or activity. For example, that includes our Bi+ members who have families (we ran a picnic in the park!) or those who might prefer to socialise without alcohol (we spend the day playing board games or meet in a coffee shop). Making Bi+ Ireland a diverse and welcoming space is one of our core values at every level, and we wish to continue to keep this at the heart of our community work.

Some of our events

The Role

We would specifically welcome people who can join existing teams in Dublin, Limerick and Galway, but we welcome interest from anywhere in the country. We would like help with any and all of the following:
  • Identifying new and engaging events and activities for the community
  • Supporting existing events
    • This includes welcoming new people, introducing them/making them feel welcome
    • Ensuring all members feel safe and respected
  • Finding appropriate venues (accessible, free, easy to reach by public transport, have an area we can reserve)
  • We’re open to literally any suggestion you might have in addition to the above, on how we can run awesome community events!

    Just fill in this form if you are interested!

Submit
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Bi+ Ireland @ Whitehall College of Further Education

30/11/2017

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PictureSharon Nolan, Bi+ Ireland Coordinator
Bi+ Ireland were recently invited into Whitehall College of Further Education as part of their LGBTQI Awareness Week

Our coordinator Sharon gave a presentation to staff and faculty on Bisexuality 101 which included bi+ language, ways to support and stand up for the bi+ community, and how to support friends and students who may be bi+, and Sharon's own personal experiences with being bisexual.

The talk was a huge success, and Bi+ Ireland were honoured an proud to be invited to partake in the college's LGBTQI Awareness Week. We'd like to offer huge thanks to Paul Rudden and Conor Kelly  for the work and dedication for organising it.

Bi+ Ireland are available to facilitate workshops, talks and to help educate about bi+ issues and the bi+ community in Ireland. Would you like us to work to your organisation? Get in touch! 

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L to R: Paul Rudden, Guidance Counsellor of Whitehall College. Sharon Nolan, Bi+ Ireland Coordinator. Conor Kelly, Student Liaison.
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Student and staff members of Whitehall College.
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Bi+ Ireland condemns Twitter erasure of #bisexual hashtag

5/11/2017

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PictureScreenshot from searching #bisexual on Twitter, and looking for photos
We at Bi+ Ireland are disappointed to see the recent Twitter change that has filtered out community content and resources from the #bisexual hashtag.


On November 3rd, the introduction of search filter changes on the website  included steps for the blocking of potentially sensitive material. This change is believed to have lead to the blocking of photos, video and news searches on #bisexual and related hashtags.


On November 4th, the results were noticed by bi+ organisations and individuals worldwide. They have since been highlighting the issue on Twitter. ​

Making #bisexual unsearchable is biphobia. Assuming the only content under that hastag is porn is #biphobia @Twitter. Be better.

— □□□ thisisbiscuit (@we_are_biscuit) November 5, 2017

Confirming that if you search #bisexual and click on photos, there is NOTHING there.

I'm bi. I am a person. My existence isn't offensive.

— Whitney Drake □✨ (@whitneyd) November 5, 2017

Today @Twitter @TwitterSupport introduced a search filter blocking photo search on #bisexual and #bisexuality hashtags (among others). (1/2) pic.twitter.com/W2yGZ0BrXH

— BiPrideUK (@BiPrideUK) November 4, 2017

​Bi+ Ireland Coordinator Sharon Nolan states "This move from Twitter, accidental or otherwise, is damaging to the bi+ community. Due to the high rates of isolation within our community, many of our member's only opportunity to connect to other bi+ people is through the likes of social media. Making it harder for bi+ people to connect is unacceptable."


"The removal of photos from the #bisexual hashtag is likely related to Twitter trying to remove adult content" continues Nolan. "There is still a hypersexualisation of the bisexual identity, which has historically lead to our community being dismissed and misunderstood. We are not just our sex acts or porn, but a community of people who deserve supports and to be able to openly exist."

Currently there is a Change.org petition calling for Twitter to remedy the situation, and many media outlets including the BBC, Pink News and Alternative Press are covering the issue.

There has yet been a public response from Twitter about the situation.
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#bisexual is not a slur. Photo curtesy of Bisexual Index -http://www.bisexualindex.org.uk/
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Voter Registration

23/10/2017

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We talk a lot about visibility in the Bi+ community, but there’s only one way to be visible in the ballot box, and that’s to register to vote and to make it to the polls.

There are several elections planned for 2018 in Ireland (four referenda, including one on the 8th Amendment, and the Presidential election) so it is particularly timely for Irish citizens resident in Ireland who are over 18 or will be on or before the 15th of February 2018, to register.
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Registering to Vote

Nov 1 Draft Register of Electors 2018/2019 published
Nov 1–Nov 24 Add your name or change your details in the Draft Register via RFA1 form and submit to local authority
Feb 15 2018/2019 Register of Electors published and comes into force
14 working days before a poll Deadline for Supplementary Register for that election
If you register before the 1st of November 2017 you should be included in the Draft Register of Electors 2018/2019 which will be published on that date.

Even if you are already registered to vote, you should check that draft register when it comes out, as people are sometimes removed in error.

You will be able to apply to change your details in the draft (including adding yourself if you were not included) until Friday the 24th of November 2017. The Register will be published on the 15th of February.

If you change address, or if you did not manage to register by the 24th of November, you can join the Supplementary Register at any time up to 14 working days before an election, including if you are not yet 18 but will be when an election takes place.

Who can Vote

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If you are You can vote in
Resident in the Republic of Ireland Local elections
… and an EU citizen … and European elections
… and a UK or Irish citizen … and General elections
… and an Irish citizen … and Presidential elections and constitutional referenda
Since the upcoming elections are all constitutional referenda and a Presidential election, it’s worth noting that only Irish citizens who are resident in the Republic of Ireland are eligible to vote in these elections—other residents can vote in different types of government election depending on their citizenship, but only citizens have a say on the constitution or the presidency.

If you were born anywhere in Ireland, including Northern Ireland, you have an automatic claim to Irish citizenship and can tick “Irish” when registering to vote. Likewise, if you have a parent who was both an Irish citizen and born in Ireland.

If you have either a parent who was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth but who was not born in Ireland, or if one of your grandparents was born in Ireland, then you can apply for citizenship through Foreign Birth Registration. This can take up to six months.

If you previously registered to vote under another citizenship you should use from RFA2 to change your registration to note that you are Irish. It may be wise to contact your local authority.

Otherwise becoming an Irish citizen requires that you become one through naturalisation, and then use form RFA5 to have your electoral registration reflect this change in citizenship.

If claiming Irish citizenship, note that Ireland allows dual or multiple citizenship with any other country and does not require that you renounce your other citizenship(s). Not all countries allow this from their side though, so check the rules of the citizenship(s) you already have.

You cannot vote if you live abroad with two exceptions:
  1. If you are already registered to vote and are living abroad but intend to return to living in Ireland within 18 months then you are entitled to travel to the polling station you are registered at to vote on the election day.
  2. If you are abroad due to military or diplomatic service, or with a spouse or civil partner who is abroad for such reasons, then you can vote by post.
Postal voting from within Ireland is available for several circumstances where one is prevented from travelling to one’s polling station. Applications for a postal vote must be received by the 24th of November. The supplement to this list can be applied to up to two days after the order appointing the polling day for an election.
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Congratulations! Bi+ Ireland Coordinator Sharon Nolan wins Volunteer of the Year at GALAs

23/10/2017

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Bi+ Ireland are elated to share with you that Sharon Nolan, our Galway based coordinator won the award for Volunteer of the Year at this years GALAs - honouring her work with Bi+ Ireland and the many other groups she works alongside. 
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The GALAs (Gay & Lesbian Awards) honour the achievements of Irish LGBT+ people, allies and orgainsations.

Volunteering is such a rewarding way to give back to our communities. Find how how you can get involved with Bi+ Ireland here.
Pic of Sharon Nolan holding her GALAs award
Sharon Nolan at the GALAs with her award for Volunteer of the Year

Pictures from the GALAs 2017

A video of Sharon Nolan's acceptance speech, GALAs 2017

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Bi+ Ireland supports Repeal the 8th

16/9/2017

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Bi+ Ireland represents a diverse group of people, with a whole spectrum of opinions and life experiences. We want to best represent our community, but to be an inclusive space we also want to offer solidarity to the marginalised communities that intersect with us.

Back in September 2016, requests were made from our members regarding whether we would be involved with the March for Choice. While many of our coordinator team are passionately pro-choice, we were aware that there would be an implied stance of our entire organisation if we took part in the event. We did not want to impose this on our members without their input, so we asked them about their thoughts on Bi+ Ireland taking a stance on the 8th amendment, and whether we should publicly back the campaign to Repeal the 8th. We polled the group, and 94% of you voting in favour of us publicly supporting the campaign! Following this, we joined the Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment and are working with 100+ other groups and organisations to secure a referendum. You can check out our member profile on their website too.


The discussions we had show that reproductive justice and the fight for access to abortion in Ireland is a LGBTQIA+ issue. The 8th Amendment directly affects bi+ women, lesbians, trans men and AFAB non-binary people too.

In the Burning Issues 2 report, more than 90% of respondents believe our LGBTQIA+ community should support equality for those who face discrimination. The issue raised the most was support for repealing the 8th Amendment. For some, it’s because they want to support more progressive social issues. For others, it’s to do with their personal bodily autonomy. Ensuring the right to bodily autonomy has always linked the LGBTQIA+ community with the push for reproductive justice and abortion rights. So much of the homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and heterosexism we experience is down to a disrespect and disregard for bodily autonomy. Anyone fighting for bodily autonomy is our ally, as we are theirs.
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Join us on Saturday, September 30th as we March for Choice. This year will be our second year marching in the Abortion Rights Campaign March for Choice and we couldn't be prouder to be represented at the event.


Abortion Rights Campaign March for Choice 2017
Abortion Rights Campaign March for Choice logo 2017
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It's Bi+ Visibility Month! News, events and celebrations!

12/9/2017

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Come celebrate with us around the country!

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Click the image to see our events on FB!
Bi Visibility Day, also known as International Celebrate Bisexuality Day, has been marked each year since 1999 on September 23rd to highlight biphobia and to help people find the bisexual community. This year, Bi+ Ireland have taken a further step in organising an entire week of events, extending the celebrations to 'Bi Visibility Week, from September 18th to 24th. We are hosting events for our community across Ireland all week long, and we hope you can join us in celebrating our amazing bi+ community!

​All of our events are listed on Facebook here, including GCN Town Hall Talks – Getting Bi: Bisexual Visibility In Ireland, more info at GCN.ie, RSVP on FB here​.

Celebrate with us online!

Picture of some of the Bi Ireland coordinators, with 'we exist' written prominently over them
To celebrate and increase visibility, we launched our 'We Exist' series, highlighting the stories of Bi+ people around Ireland. 
Swallowing my fear and saying at the top of my voice that I'm bisexual and being almost bowled over by the power of the cheer and applause in return.
​- Aoife, Bi+ Ireland Founder (read more here)
Read stories
Tell your story

Join us at the March for Choice, September 30th

​On Sept 30th Bi+ Ireland are marching in the March for Choice. Being members of the Coalition to Repeal the 8th, and having many prochoice members, we'd hope to welcome as many as possible to march behind our banner on the day! 

As well as that, the Abortion Rights Campaign are looking for submissions for a 'Why I'm Marching' video. Would you like to have your clip included in a Bi+ Ireland compilation video? You can submit it below!
Submit Video
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Click the picture to RSVP on FB event
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Bi+ Ireland in GCN: Bisexuality as a stepping stone

28/8/2017

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Bi+ Ireland Founder Aoife O'Riordan speaks with GCN. You can read it online at GCN's online reader here. 
Everyone who thinks that they might be bi+, or that bisexuality might be a refuge, is welcome in the bi+ community. Some people find a home in a bi-spectrum identity, and others only stay awhile. I wish them well. I’m glad we could be there for them. 
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This organisation is run 100% by volunteer coordinators. We welcome donations and promise 100% transparency with our spending. Learn more here.
Bi+ Ireland is a network of people who fit somewhere under the bi+ umbrella, and who have close ties to Ireland. We are community group run by volunteers. You can reach us at biirelandnetwork@gmail.com.


​As a pro-choice organisation we support Together for Yes - the national civil society campaign to remove the 8th amendment from the Constitution.
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