Gay in the Gardai

Stephanos

Hi

I am a twenty seven year old male that was worked as an accountant the last few years. My brother is currently thinking of applying to AGS. While researching it for him, I have considered doing the same. I have read the FAQs on the site and the majority of information on Boards. It is something I am considering.

The biggest issue for me is that I am gay and AGS has a bit of a rep for being a “heterosexually dominated environment” for want of a euphemism. I have the necessary requirements (aptitude, fitness etc.) but my sexuality could be a massive issue.

In asking this, I have looked into the issue and it seems there is a massive change within AGS even with regional LGB officers. I also have a cousin who works as a Garda. She works with a number of gay male Gardai.

Based on personal experience or knowledge, can anyone advise if I’d find it difficult?

ivabiggon

hi there,
i can't offer you any advice based on experience, as i'm not a gaurd.
but looking from an outside prospective & assuming that you were successful in your application the fact that your openly gay and i'm sure wouldn't hide it in work i think it could open up a certain career path within AGS and be quite a help rather than a hindrance to you.
unfortunately alot of assaults against homosexuals occur or a regular bases, i can comment on that as i see it regularly in my own profession, and you may find that certain victims might not feel comfortable speaking to a person of a different sexuality about certain things, similarly to a female rape victim may prefare to speak to a female member.

this is by no means a dig at any member of AGS as i know gardai carry out there duty professionally, but it may be a good opportunity for you in outlining the particular career path for yourself, at the same time i'm not labeling you for just for that type work solely but if the gardai is anything like the fire brigade you have to be seen to make roads into alot of different areas before you get to were your happy specialising in.

luggs

I am a garda and I am gay- there are many openly gay men and women in AGS and despite from a few harmless slags I have never had a problem- - I am stationed in Dublin so cant speak about the stations out in the muck-but generally Dublin guards have seen it and heard it all before and you being gay is the least of their worries-AGS has moved on significantly in the past decade- i can tell you that gay, Str8 or whatever AGS is a great organisation to belong to and work for- so go for it-

mbeire

Just seen an article in today’s Irish Independent about members who are Gay. Have a look at it if you can.

Dermot Illogical

mbeire wrote: »

Just seen an article in today’s Irish Independent about members who are Gay. Have a look at it if you can.

http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/meet-paul-the-sergeant-and-lora-the-detective-our-proudly-gay-gardaiacute-2371875.html

Delancey

Check out this link to a thread in the main Emergency Service Forum .

King Ludvig

"An Garda Síochána announced as Employer of the Year at 2010 Gay and Lesbian Awards"

scorpionbite

G force - support group for Gay Gardai
As a member of the above group, formally known as G Group, I can most certainly verify that there are many Gay Gardai, some in, some out (of their own choice, nothing to do with the job). And it is more than acceptable to be Gay and be a Garda.

In fact, as i can see in another post,, An Garda Siochana only 1 month ago won Best Employer of the Year, beating IBM and Microsoft in the annual GALA Gay and Lesbian Awards 2010. So anyone who is Gay, and wants to join, you are more than welcome as long as you meet the Criteria necessary as set by the Commissioner, which, and I quote, will have no bearing whatsoever on your Orientation, thanks for reading.

:):):):):) so join up if you wanna be a Garda...

Fukuyama

I'll phrase this carefully and will begin by stating that I have no issue with people who are gay but it's something I've always kind of wondered.

I'm aware that female officers cant search men and men officers cant search females.

Does gay gardaí not muddle this situation a little? Ie. Could a man object to being searched if he knew the guard was gay?

Sorry if I'm being an immature twat ... just something I've wondered.

Wouldn't have a problem with it myself... but I can imagine some people might?

cgcsb

Dean0088 wrote: »

I'll phrase this carefully and will begin by stating that I have no issue with people who are gay but it's something I've always kind of wondered.

I'm aware that female officers cant search men and men officers cant search females.

Does gay gardaí not muddle this situation a little? Ie. Could a man object to being searched if he knew the guard was gay?

Sorry if I'm being an immature twat ... just something I've wondered.

Wouldn't have a problem with it myself... but I can imagine some people might?

personally i think the whole rule abour being searched by someone of the same gender only is a bit ridiculous, but to answer your question, it's not that simple because gay and stragiht men also share bathrooms/changing facilities because there's nothing on eachothers bodies(presumably) that they haven't seen before.

cushtac

Dean0088 wrote: »

Could a man object to being searched if he knew the guard was gay?

No.