Ireland’s Minister for Equality marks Pride Month with launch of “ambitious” 'National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy'
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Ireland’s Minister for Equality, Norma Foley, has marked Pride Month with launch of an “ambitious” National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy, which sets out the vision for “A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland where people are supported to live inclusive, healthy and fulfilling lives”.
The launch follows on the heels of the recent Marriage Referendum +10 Conference funded by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, at which Minister Foley reiterated Government support for the rights of LGBTQ+ people.
Speaking at the launch of the Strategy, Minister Foley said, “I am delighted to launch the successor National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy 2024 – 2028 and the first 2-year Action Plan. This is the end product of many months of work on the part of Government Departments and State Agencies and indeed those who represent the LGBTQ+ community.
“The new Strategy is rooted in a commitment to human rights and recognises the State’s obligation to respect and protect human rights. It recognises the valuable role that civil society plays in the advancement of LGBTQ+ equality and more broadly across all society.
“The National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy aspires to securing full equality for LGBTQ+ people within Irish society, and to improve quality of life and wellbeing for LGBTQ+ people, thus enabling them to participate fully in Ireland’s social, economic, cultural, and political life.
“I want to acknowledge the input from a host of Government Ministers, their departments and agencies, who have identified a number of key goals, which they will have direct responsibility for delivering.”
The launch event featured contributions from many members of the LGBTQ+ community who were involved in finalising the Strategy and Action Plan. Alongside civil society groups like LGBT Ireland or community groups such as the Midlands LGBT Project, there was a particular focus on the voices of young people, whose futures will evidently be most impacted by the Strategy.
Twenty-two-year-old Ellen Moriarty shared a poem at the event, entitled Dancing into the Light, with its rousing final lines referencing the opportunity to make ‘Positive, Progressive, Profound change’. Meanwhile, Hunter Cox spoke as a representative of the Youth Advisory Group for the Strategy.
This group took part in the 2024 consultation with children and young people on the development of this new Strategy. Hunter spoke openly and positively about the group’s experience in sharing their views for the Strategy. The group identified a list of priorities and actions for consideration, which the Department of Children, Disability and Equality has ultimately aimed to address with the new Strategy and Action Plan.
