Peter presented with the Mr Gay Louth title by Paul Carroll.

‘There’s always someone out there to listen to you and guide you in the right direction’

A STAMULLEN man who has created a support network for the LGBTQ community in Meath has spoken of his experience of growing up as a young gay person in rural Ireland.

Peter James Nugent has spent the last five years advocating for the rights of LGBTQ community in the north east and offering support to those coming out.

With the help of a dedicated team Peter who currently holds the title of Mr Gay Louth has set up a weekly support meeting in Duleek and had just finalised plans for the first Navan Pride event that was due to take place this month before Covid-19 cancelled all gatherings.

It was a lack of support when he was growing up that ignited a desire to help those struggling with their identity. He said:

“Five years ago I set up the Drogheda LGBTQ Community Support Group and we have always had people coming from Navan, Kentstown, Duleek out to Ballivor so we knew that there was a real need for a support network in Meath.

“I formed a team and said we need to do something about this and so we set up the Meath LGBTQ Support group.

“We have a monthly support group on Saturdays in The Courthouse in Duleek where people come to get support on coming out, to share experiences or get information.

“We have counsellors and psychotherapists on hand that would be a link support with us if someone needs to talk to them.

“We wanted to build a peer support group of like minded people in a safe space, learning from other people’s experience, learning coping mechanisms, sharing ideas, building that confidence that they have a rainbow family they can talk to.”

Despite knowing, he was gay from a young age, the lack of local support made it harder for the LGBTQ advocate to come out as he explains:

“I come from a very small village and I knew that I was gay at quite a young age but I had no resources around or people to talk to apart from by friends.

“There wasn’t much support locally and the only place you could go to get help was Dublin.

“So now If I’m able to help someone that is in the same situation that I was at my very lowest peak then I’ll do everything I can.“

Luckily having a supportive family and network of friends was a key factor in Peter’s journey but he still faced his fair share of discrimination.

“I came out at school to some of my friends when I was thirteen, my close friends were amazing but I definitely got jeered at by others but in my mind I thought I’m not the one with the problem, they are and that’s something that always stuck with me.

“When I eventually came out to my family at 18, it was like a weight lifted off my shoulders and I was a lot happier in myself, I have a really supportive family so I was really lucky.”

The first Navan Pride event was to take place on August 26th but had to be cancelled to due Covid-19 restrictions but Peter hopes it will go ahead at another date.

“We had lots planned for Navan. We were going to raise the LGBTQ flag in the town square, we would have had drag queens, a full comedy show, a full band and DJ in the Newgrange Hotel.

“It’s a shame but we will do it again.”

The marriage referendum was a defining moment for the community according to the Stamullen man.

“We have seen a lot of positive changes in Ireland since the marriage referendum, people have been more accepting It has definitely progressed.

“The community is being celebrated a lot more which is brilliant to see.”

Being crowned Mr Gay Louth was a proud moment for the support worker.

“It was a great honour to get the title of Mr Gay Louth.

“It has been an amazing journey so far, I put my heart and soul into awareness in the North East, it is a huge passion of mine whether it is to help one person or 50 people it’s worth it.

“I’d say to anyone that is struggling with coming out that there is always support out there, there is always someone out there to listen to you and guide you in the right direction.

“Listening to another’s experience of how they came out can be beneficial and to remember how important you are, it is ok to be who you are, take your time and tell one good friend and go from there.”