Eighteen LGBTQ+ organisations are urging candidates for the general election to make outlawing conversion therapy and combating hate speech a top priority by enacting legislation that is appropriate for the situation, reports Breaking News.
Ahead of the general election, the organizations—among them Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre—have released the first-ever LGBTQ+ sector-wide manifesto.
Stakeholders interested in advancing the rights and welfare of LGBTQ+ individuals, including Senator Marie Sherlock, Senator Malachai O’Hara, Patrick Costello TD, Cllr Francis Timmons, and Cllr Allan Edge, attended the manifesto’s launch event on Wednesday at the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, reports Breaking News.
The manifesto lists the next government’s top five areas of focus. They are:
– Strentening LGBTQ+ rights, such as enacting legislation that treats all families equally, outlawing conversion treatment, and revising the Equality Acts to further protect LGBTQ+ individuals;
– Putting money into LGBTQ+ health, such as a new transgender healthcare model and better access and waiting time regulations for mental health treatments;
– Putting into practice LGBTQ+ inclusive education, which includes addressing bullying that is phobic towards LGBTQ+ students in schools, protecting LGBTQ+ identities in curricula, and providing teachers with resources and training on LGBTQ+ inclusion;
– Applying appropriate legislation to combat extreme hate speech;
– Expanding LGBTQ+ community services and supports in all Irish counties, including Dublin, in order to help LGBTQ+ communities nationwide.
Chief executive of Outhouse LGBTQ+, OisÃn O’Reilly, said: “At Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre, our vision is a future where LGBTQI+ individuals are safe, seen, and celebrated. In this election, we call on friends, family, and allies to keep our community in mind when casting their vote. We urge all candidates to commit to the priorities in our manifesto, addressing essential rights, inclusive healthcare, education, and protection from hate. The recent surge in hate and misinformation against LGBTQI+ people has strengthened our resolve; this manifesto represents our united response to ensure Ireland remains a safe and inclusive home for all,” reports Breaking News.
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