Pride, equality and sexual health
Deputy Rice says Pride is both celebration and protest, warning about rising hate crimes, unfinished family law reform, conversion therapy and trans healthcare, and he criticises the new sexual health strategy. The Tánaiste supports Pride, accepts progress is incomplete and says the concerns should be addressed.
Tens of thousands of people will march through the streets of Dublin this weekend for Dublin Pride, a celebration of love, diversity and liberation. However, Pride is more than a party. It is a protest.
Ten years on from marriage equality, progress has slowed. Hate crimes are rising and there is no plan to bring down the numbers. The gaps in family law have not been closed, conversion therapy has not been banned and Ireland has the worst trans healthcare in the EU.
The Government's sexual health strategy, published yesterday, does not provide me with confidence that things will change anytime soon. There has not even been a discussion here of intersex people. I am disappointed we did not get Dáil statements on Pride this year but I am even more disappointed with the stalled progress. Do not take my word for it; look at the international rankings. Ireland is stuck at 14th in Europe for LGBTQI human rights. Rainbow flags outside Government Buildings are nice but LGBTQI people want enhanced human rights and better policy protections.
Will the Government join the growing call for Ireland to set the target of being the best place in Europe in which to be LGBTQI+? Will it ensure full implementation of existing commitments? Will the Tánaiste tell us what meaningful actions the Government will take this year to enhance LGBTQI+ human rights and policy protections?
Comment on this
Yes, we will. I am not aware of the background as to why statements did not take place. They should have taken place and it is important that they do. I genuinely take the Deputy's point about symbolism and flags and accept it. However, this year more than ever, at a time when people across the world are speaking in more hushed tones about inclusion, it is important that this weekend Ireland march proudly in support of Pride, love being love and marriage equality. We have made progress but it is ongoing, as the Deputy said, and in some areas it is under threat. I accept that.
We should arrange an engagement on this issue between relevant Ministers, me and others. I will talk to the Taoiseach about how best the Government might take that forward so that, within this relatively new Oireachtas, we can together mark out how we intend to make progress on this.