by Adam Long, Advocacy and Communications

The long awaited National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy was finally published in the closing weeks of 2019 and sets out a number of policies and actions that the government have committed to implementing over the 2019-2021 period to further equality for LGBT+ people in Ireland. The contents of the Strategy are informed by the public consultation that was launched in 2018 and which was followed by consultative forums that were held around the country. The National LGBT Federation was represented at these public forums and, along with colleagues, argued strongly for the need to make progress on the many outstanding issues of concern for the LGBT+ community.

Our own contribution to the process was driven by the findings of our comprehensive Burning Issues 2 research, which allowed the community to articulate its views and priorities post-marriage equality. The message that came through loud and clear was that our journey towards full equality is far from complete.

The NXF therefore welcomes the unveiling of the Strategy, recognising as it does the need for an across-government commitment to root out the continuing ‘blockages’ that prevent LGBT+ people from being full and equal citizens in every sense of that word.

We are clear that the proof of its success will be in concrete delivery across all areas and indeed for the need to add to the document to make it more progressive over time. We will be closely monitoring the implementation of the Strategy and ensuring that it does not follow in that grand Irish tradition of lofty reports being allowed to gather dust on the shelves. From the need for Ireland to catch up with best international practice and enact robust Hate Crime legislation, to implementing a ban on so-called gay ’conversion therapy’, the issues are simply too serious for noble aspirations to take the place of tangible progress.

The dawning of a new decade also aff ords us the opportunity to take stock of how far we have come and to refocus our priorities for the years ahead.

It is worth recalling that at this point ten years ago, there was a complete absence of any kind of legal recognition for LGBT+ couples, with the then government only willing to consider extending the very basic rights and protections aff orded by Civil Partnership. Meanwhile, Ireland continued to be an outlier on Transgender rights without any legislation in the area, despite a legal judgement having already been recorded against the State in the Dr Lydia Foy Case.

Fast-forward ten years and marriage equality is not only a legal reality but a constitutionally enshrined human right endorsed by the Irish people in the historic 2015 referendum. Both the marriage equality and abortion referendums proved conclusively that we no longer are a divided society on such matters – a message that the political class in its entirety would do well to heed.

Trans rights have also evolved considerably in the intervening period, however there is no room for complacency and we are currently witnessing a disturbing spike in transphobia, of which Ireland is not immune. In policy terms, securing advances in Trans healthcare is a major priority.

Looking to the year ahead, the NXF will be using the occasion of an approaching General Election to unveil our ‘LGBT+ Manifesto’, which we will be asking all the political parties and candidates to endorse. We will then be publishing the list of signatories to assist LGBT+ voters and allies in making an informed decision on polling day.

The NXF is ambitious for further change and reform. We are also acutely aware that existing gains can never be taken for granted - a reality brought sharply into focus when you consider a challenging and uncertain international climate.

As the 2020’s hover into view, our mood is a determined one.