The Gender Identity Family Support Line (01 9073707), a new Irish helpline for families of trans and gender non-conforming people, was launched this morning at the Hilton Hotel in Kilmainhaim.

Dr Colman Noctor, noted child and adolescent psychotherapist, author, lecturer and media contributor, will launch the service.

Speaking ahead of the launch, CEO of LGBT Ireland, Paula Fagan said “While we have run the national LGBT Helpline for many years, this is the first such service aimed exclusively at families of trans and gender non-conforming people in Ireland. Working on the premise of ‘families supporting families’, volunteers have undergone extensive training in active listening and support techniques and will be supervised by staff of LGBT Ireland and TENI in the operation of the helpline.”

Launching the @TENI_Tweets @LGBT_ie Gender Identity Family Support Line, Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist Dr @colnoc77 notes that news of gender variance of one family member can have "a ripple effect" thoughout the family. pic.twitter.com/EmiWVMHUCQ

— Stephen O'Hare (@SOHare75) March 23, 2018

Welcoming the new Irish helpline, TENI Health and Education Manager Vanessa Lacey said, “I am thrilled to see this much needed service launched today. In recent times we have experienced an exponential rise of young-people experiencing gender related issues. TENI is proud to have been in a position to support families on their road to understanding the needs of loved ones, including through our national family support network TransparenCI.

“Through these services we aim to support all families undertaking this journey, including parents, grand-parents, children, grandchildren, siblings, foster-families and carers of trans people.” she added.

“As the parent of a child who transitioned, I know first hand the dizzying array of questions and concerns that arise within families and how disruptive those experiences can be,” said Catherine Cross, TENI’s Education and Family Support Officer. “Meeting families in similar circumstances, I found that we were not the only family learning to support each other and coping with the many conflicting feelings that arise. Having someone to talk to, and to listen, means that as a family, you are not alone.”

The Gender Identity Family Support will commence operating this coming Sunday 25 March from 6pm to 9pm and subsequently on the second and fourth Sunday of each month at this time. The initiative is supported by a grant from the Dormant Accounts Fund administered through the HSE.