Blacknight has announced the availability of .GAY, billed as the most exciting new top-level domain to launch in 2020.

The company is charging €27 for a dot GAY domain name and will donate a euro from each payment to the LGBTQ youth charity BeLonG To Youth Services.

Chief executive Michele Neylon said the .GAY registry Top Level Design is pledging to donate 20% of revenue to LGBTQ charities.

"We’re topping that up with €1 from each new registration with Blacknight to BeLonG To Youth Services," he added. “We’re really excited to be a launch registrar for .GAY. This is the chance for a truly safe space on the internet for LGBTQ people all over the world.”

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BeLonG chief executive Moninne Griffith added: "The support of Blacknight will ensure that we can continue to address the needs of those who are most vulnerable in society, creating safe spaces to allow LGBTQ young people to be who they truly are.  We are looking forward hugely to being a part of this historic and unique piece of internet history.”

Carlow-based Blacknight has been a strong supporter of the movement to change antiquated notions about gender, identity, and sexuality in Ireland, Neylon said. It came out in support of the marriage equality referendum in 2015. 

“The launch of .GAY in Ireland by Blacknight proves how inclusive Ireland has become in recent years. We are particularly impressed by Top Level Design’s plan to combat hate speech in the .GAY domain space.  Implemented correctly, it could become a model for other registries to follow," Neylon added.