by Adam Long, Advocacy And Communications, National LGBT Federation (NXF)

Chair:

Adam Long

National LGBT Federation (NXF)

Panelists:

Regina Doherty TD

Minister for Social Protection Fine Gael

Fiona O’Loughlin TD

Fianna Fail Spokesperson on Equality

Mary Lou McDonald TD

Sinn Fein Leader

Cllr Roderic O’Gorman

Green Party

Aoife Martin

Trans Campaigner

Evgeny Shtorn

LGBT Asylum Seeker and Activist

The Dublin Pride Annual Political Debate, chaired by this author on behalf of the National LGBT Federation (NXF), returns again this year and provides an opportunity for the community to hear from a range of policy-makers and civil society campaigners on the State Of The LGBT Nation in 2019.

In this year of historic LGBT+ anniversaries, it is appropriate both to consider how far we have come and also the challenges that still confront us as the ugly realities of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia continue to blight far too many lives. Meanwhile, as opponents of LGBT+ equality increasingly turn their attention to attacking trans rights, it has never been more important to discuss solidarity and a shared sense of history among our rainbow communities. Issues around asylum, integration and homophobia within the Direct Provision system will also be given an airing with the presence of a Evgeny Shtorn on the panel.

There have been significant developments since we gathered before a full-to-capacity audience for last year’s Pride Debate which I will be keen to tease out with my panelists. The announcement of an LGBT+ National Strategy is perhaps the most noteworthy.

It is also clear that international concerns are to the fore of people’s minds as hateful and bigoted discourse becomes increasingly legitimised as autocratic minded leaders from the likes of Russia, Brazil and the United States, and even within our own European Union, continue their assault on basic human rights and democratic norms. In the UK too, the alarm is being sounded about the erosion of LGBT+ rights as religious fundamentalists protest outside school gates against inclusive education, while increasing reports of violent attacks against LGBT+ and other minorities fuel fears of a growing climate of intolerance linked to Brexit.

The role of social media in amplifying the voices of anti-LGBT+ hate and harassment is causing much disquiet. All too often we see homophobic slurs and hate speech falsely described as constituting ‘debate’ and ‘diversity of opinion’ as companies fail to take action. The targeting of a journalist for anti-gay abuse on Google’s YouTube channel (even as they light up in rainbow colours for Pride month) is a recent example of hate speech masquerading as free speech, along with the notion that every utterance, no matter how hateful or devoid of fact, deserves to be afforded equal legitimacy according to an utterly distorted interpretation and understanding of the concept of ‘freedom of speech’. The freedom to air one’s opinion (within the constraints of the law) does not and should never mean freedom from criticism or being held accountable. Anti-LGBT+ bigotry should be deemed no more acceptable than the likes of racism or anti-Semitism, whether presented under the guise of ‘religious freedom’ or in any other context. As a topic that continues to animate so many, both online and off, I expect it to feature quite prominently in the debate.

Finally, Education Equality – the right of LGBT+ students to an affirming school environment and the right of students more generally to an inclusive, fact-based education, remains a key priority issue. The All-Party Oireachtas Education Committee recently recommended the removal of the ‘ethos’ exemption in legislation when it comes to teaching LGBT+ and related issues in religious controlled schools. This necessity has become all the more pressing following the publication of a stridently anti-LGBT+ education document by the Vatican in mid-June. Such hostility to LGBT+ identities should have no place in any of our schools but until the well-being of LGBT+ students is prioritised over the freereign approach currently facilitated on ‘ethos’ grounds, there is nothing to stop this pernicious document from finding its way into a school system still dominated by religious patronage.

To hear discussion and debate around these and other issues, please join me and my panelists for the NXF Dublin Pride Annual Political Debate on Wednesday June 26 from 6.30-8.30pm at CHQ Dublin. See DublinPride.ie for more details.