In advance of Pride month, SSE Airtricity, together with the League of Ireland, has 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 was launched by League of Ireland players Roberto Lopes (Shamrock Rovers) and Keeva Keenan (Shelbourne) pictured above with David Manning of SSE Airtricity, Paula Fagan of LGBT Ireland and Mark Scanlon of the FAI.
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 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.
“We are thrilled to be supporting LGBT Ireland with this campaign,” said David Manning, Director Customer Marketing and Communications at SSE Airtricity.
“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.
These include Shelbourne at home to St Pats on Friday night in the Men’s OPremier Division and away to Sligo Rovers in the Women’s, Kerry at home to Bray in the Men’s First Division on Friday night and Bohemians at home to Athlone Town in the Women’s Premier on Saturday.
“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,” said Mark Scanlon, League of Ireland Director at the FAI.
“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.”
