LGBTQI+ lives must not be used to ‘play politics’ says coalition of LGBTQI+ organisations   

A collective of 18 leading LGBTQI+ organisations has today (06.11.2024) launched the first ever LGBTQI+ sector wide manifesto ahead of the upcoming Irish general election.  

The 18 organisations set out their shared priorities for the new Government, calling on election candidates to commit to ensuring support for and safety of LGBTQI+ communities and not to ‘play politics’ with LGBTQI+ people’s lives.  

The manifesto was launched at an event today at the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, attended by representatives of the 18 members of the collective, as well as wider stakeholders invested in promoting the rights and wellbeing of LGBTQI+ people.  

Priority Areas for LGBTQI+ Sector  

The manifesto published today includes five key priority areas of action for a programme for Government, including:  

• Strengthening LGBTQI+ rights, including treating all families equally under the law, introduction of a ban on conversion therapy practices and updating the Equality Acts to protect all LGBTQI+ people.  

• Investing in LGBTQI+ health, including a new model of healthcare for trans people and regulation of mental health services with improved access and waiting times. 

• Implementing LGBTQI+ inclusive education, including representing LGBTQI+ identities in school curriculums, training and resourcing teachers on LGBTQI+ inclusion and address LGBTQ+phobic bullying in schools.  

• Tackling extreme hate speech through fit-for-purpose legislation and a national action plan. 

• Supporting LGBTQI+ communities across the country through the expansion of LGBTQI+ community services and supports in every county in Ireland. 

The launch event was hosted by Síona Cahill and featured discussion of each of the five key areas of focus called for in the manifesto with discussion on the timing of the election, in a year when An Garda Síochána reported an increase in recorded hate crimes for the second year in a row.  

Speaking today about the launch of the manifesto, Moninne Griffith (she/her), CEO of Belong To – LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland commented: “Over the next five years, we want Ireland not just to be a safe place for LGBTQI+ individuals, but to be the best the best place in Europe to be LGBTQI+. However, we have a long way to go – and we need our elected representatives to make this vision possible. As a collective with the other national and regional organisations representing LGBTQI+ people across the country, today we’re setting out the key asks we have of all candidates in the upcoming elect, and the new Government.  

“As LGBTQI+ people, we would ask all of our friends, family and allies to consider the rights and needs of the LGBTQI+ community as part of their decision when voting in this election. Together, we can prevent the rollback of rights and ensure that we continue to build a progressive and inclusive Ireland where all of our people are respected and safe. We ask everyone to vote with pride, and demand a better future for us all.”  

Also speaking at the launch of the manifesto, Paula Fagan (she/her), CEO of LGBT Ireland said: “The priority areas set out in this manifesto identify the areas where we most need our political representatives to take action to ensure that LGBTQI+ people in every part of Ireland have the same access to vital healthcare, educational opportunity and sense of safety as their non-LGBTQI+ neighbours, family and friends. 

“The recent, very real and tangible increase in hate, misinformation and general LGBTQI+-phobia seen in Ireland has galvanised the sector across the country. We are acutely aware of the treats to our lives, rights and wellbeing that this change in the Irish political landscape presents. That is why we have come together as a collective to advocate for election candidates and public representatives to commit to the asks in this manifesto, and to call on voters to keep their LGBTQ+ friends, family, colleagues and community members in mind when they go to the polls.” 

The full manifesto is available to download here: https://www.belongto.org/app/uploads/2024/11/LGBTQ-Sector-Election-Manifesto-2024-SCREEN.pdf 

Members of the Collective  

The collective which developed the manifesto is comprised of:  

• Belong To – LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland 

• LGBT Ireland  

• Transgender Equality Network  

• National LGBT Federation  

• Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre  

• Dublin Pride  

• ShoutOut  

• Outcomers  

• Midlands LGBT+ Project  

• Gay Project  

• HIV Ireland  

• OutWest  

• LINC 

• Gay Health Network  

• Intersex Ireland  

• GOSHH  

• Switch Board  

• Mammies for Trans Rights  

ENDS 

Notes to Editors:  

Contact: For media requests for interview or more information, please contact: 

• Darragh McGirr, Belong To | 086 259 9369 or darragh@belongto.org  

• Sinead Keane, Belong To | 087 768 0389 or sinead@belongto.org  

Interview Opportunities  

A range of spokespeople are available for interview and comment, including:  

• Moninne Griffith, CEO at Belong To – LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland; 

• Paula Fagan, CEO at LGBT Ireland; 

• Daire Dempsey, Policy Officer at TENI;  

• Adam Long, Board Director, National LGBT Federation (NXF); 

• Ruadhán Ó Críodáin, Executive Director at ShoutOut;  

• Oisín O’Reilly, CEO at Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre; and 

• Verena Tarpey, CEO of GOSHH. 

About Belong To – LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland  

Belong To is the national organisation for LGBTQ+ young people in Ireland. Since 2003, Belong To has worked with LGBTQ+ youth to create a society where they are equal, safe, and thriving. Belong To offers advice, information, and crisis counselling for LGBTQ+ youth, and supports LGBTQ+ youth groups across Ireland. Through training, they ensure LGBTQ+ young people are met by professionals, organisations, and services who are educated to meet and support their needs. The organisation also campaigns to ensure policy formation and practice is informed by the voice and experiences of LGBTQ+ young people. www.belongto.org 

About LGBT Ireland  

LGBT Ireland is a national charitable organisation working to improve the visibility, inclusion, and rights of LGBTI+ people living in Ireland. Through our national helpline, online, and face-to-face services, we provide confidential support and information to thousands of LGBTI+ people and their family members each year. Informed by the issues and experiences raised through our frontline services, we also work extensively in the area of policy and legislative reform to ensure that LGBTI+ people’s voices are heard in the policy and practice developments that affect their lives. The submission below is informed by the issues and experiences of the LGBTI+ community and their family members who contact us. As a network organisation with seven regional LGBTI+ member services, we also have a strong regional focus, and the recommendations outlined below are deeply rooted in the knowledge and experience of our members working across the country. 

About The National LGBT Federation (NXF) 

The National LGBT Federation (NXF) is one of Ireland’s longest established LGBT NGO’s having been founded back in 1979.  

The NXF campaigns for LGBT+ rights at home and abroad, publishes GCN (Gay Community News) and has been centrally involved in all the major campaigns to achieve equality for LGBT+ people in Ireland. Our current priorities include implementation of robust hate crime legislation and a comprehensive ban on so-called ‘conversion practices’.  

About Outhouse 

Since 1997, Outhouse has been a vibrant and safe space for LGBTQ+ people, communities, and organisations that is inclusive of the diversity within our communities. Outhouse’s purpose is to provide a safe and welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community and improve the quality of life for LGBTQ+ people through connection, community support, culture, and campaigning. To learn more about Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre, visit: www.outhouse.ie 

About ShoutOut 

ShoutOut is a registered charity committed to improving life for LGBTQI+ people by sharing personal stories and running educational programmes in schools workplaces, and other organisations. We are committed to tackling hate and fostering allyship through empathy and education.  

Since 2012, we’ve been delivering workshops in secondary schools across the island of Ireland to tackle LGBTQI+ bullying. We’ve completed over 2,500 student workshops, which means we’ve spoken directly to over 75,000 young people about LGBTQI+ issues.  

About Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI)  

Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) is Ireland’s transgender community organisation. Our vision is a world where all people, regardless of gender identity or expression, enjoy full acceptance and equality. We are working to create this world through providing support to our community, allies and families; delivering training and education in education, employment, healthcare and other areas; and by advocating for change across legal, medical and political systems.  

About GOSHH 

GOSHH is a leading organisation in the Midwest, providing a range of supports and services in the areas of Gender, Orientation, Sexual Health and HIV. Originally founded in the 1980’s as Limerick AIDS Alliance and Gay Men’s Switchboard, we provide a safe, confidential, welcoming environment for everyone we work with. 

We focus on the promotion of equality and well-being, with a positive and respectful approach to sexual orientation and gender identity and sexual health.