Louth Candidates Asked to support LGBTI+ in General Election

 

Press Release
29th January 2020
Louth Candidates Asked to support LGBTI+ in General Election

Outcomers and LGBT Ireland are inviting all General Election Candidates in the Louth Area to an Information event from 10am to 11am on Wednesday, 5th February in Outcomers, Coach house, 8 Roden Place, Dundalk, Co. Louth
There is “much more to do” for LGBTI+ people says LGBT Ireland in their ”Recommendations & Priorities for Government” Strategy Document being circulated to all GE candidates 2020.

Ireland and the next government has much more to do for LGBTI+ people to achieve full equality and
LGBT Ireland have documented a no of key issues that require national and state attention highlighting the 2019 CSO Q1 Report where statistics show that LGBTI+ people experienced the “highest levels of discrimination”. The CSO statistics “really highlights that much more needs to happen to achieve equality for all LGBTI+”, said Paula Fagan, CEO LGBT Ireland and speaking about the GE 2020 information event said “this election has the potential to set the political agenda for the next decade and it is fundamentally important that all politicians and soon to be legislators be aware of the issues and then work to end this discrimination through national policies and essential legislation”.

The issues and priorities for the next Government

Hate Speech & Hate Crime

The level of hate Speech and hate crimes against LGBTI+ people are significant and on the rise,
therefore it is imperative that the next Government urgently progress effective legislation to combat
incitement to hatred and hate crimes.

Measures to support LGBTI+ victims are also needed alongside the establishment of an on-line system for reporting of LGBTI+ hate crime.

LGBTI+ Family Rights

In 2020 LGBTI+ headed families remain unequal, with many families facing another decade without hope of legal rights or recognition.

To achieve this, the next Government need to progress comprehensive legislation that reflects the reality of Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR) in the 21st century, including providing for AHR procedures undertaken abroad, retrospective recognition for children already born and home insemination.

Conversion Therapy

Legislation needs to be developed to prohibit the promotion or practice of conversion therapy in Ireland.

These ‘therapies’ are dangerous and discredited practices that falsely claim to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Young LGBTI+ people are especially vulnerable, and an outright ban is needed to ensure we protect them.

LGBTI+ people in the Asylum Process

With LGBTI+ people continuing to face widespread persecution, imprisonment and even death in many countries around the world it is imperative that our International Protection process and direct provision system are supportive and sensitive to the experiences and needs of LGBTI+ people.

To achieve this, the next Government must end direct provision and replace it with a system which
focuses on Reception Centers that adhere to national standards which include strong independent
oversight and enforcement mechanisms.

Intersex People

To protect the personal autonomy and bodily integrity for people born Intersex, legislation needs to be developed to prohibit the practice of involuntary, non-urgent surgery and other medical treatment on intersex persons without the effective and informed consent of those concerned.

Gender Recognition

To support trans, non-binary and intersex young people across Ireland to have access to the legal
documents that reflect their true gender, there is an urgent need for the full implementation of the Gender Recognition Review Report 2018.

A healthcare service that meets the needs of the LGBTI+ population is imperative and this includes:-

• Training of all healthcare staff to deliver LGBTI+ inclusive care.

• Tackling waiting lists for Trans healthcare through the rollout of services that meet international best practice standards, with a clear pathway from child to adult services.

• LGBTI+ young people, and in particular trans young people need clear pathways in order to access mental health services. Due to the delays and uncertainty regarding services, LGBTI+ young people’s mental health is suffering.

To download the “recommendations & Priorities for Government go to www.LGBT.ie

For further queries, please contact:

Bernardine Quinn
Centre Manager, Outcomers
0876200021
[email protected]