MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

MOTION NO. 3

MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons

“That this committee agree the LGBTQ Pride flag is hung outside Clondalkin Civic office for the second anniversary of Marriage Equality on 22nd May and for the week of 19th – 25th June 2017 for Pride17 to show solidarity with all LGBTQ and especially all those struggling with their sexual identity.”

REPORT:

If the members vote in favour of the motion, arrangements will be made to display the LGBTQ Flag at Clondalkin Civic Offices on the 22nd May and for the duration of Pride Week in June.

My Response:

The people of Ireland voted in large numbers for Equality we have moved a long step away from the dark days of being LGBT in Ireland. We no longer have to hide and being Gay is no longer the love that dare not speak its name. When I was growing up it was hard to be gay in Ireland. In May 2015 Ireland made history. I am overjoyed that so many voted yes and delivered equality for a minority group in Ireland. Myself and my partner are over 18 years together and he has been my rock, my strength and my best friend.

As much as I am so overjoyed I also acknowledge that the struggle for civil rights in other parts of the world is ongoing and I give the shoulder of solidarity to my brothers and sisters in places like Russia and Uganda where the laws need to be changed. We also hear that At least 100 gay men have been rounded up and thrown in concentration camps in Chechnya – I am reminded of a large chilling sign outside a world war 2 concentration camp I visited years ago in Berlin that said ‘’It happened once it could happen again.’’

Also to Northern Ireland where my LGBT Family are not as equal in law as the rest of Ireland. I hope for a future Republic where no child has to hide their sexuality and where no person feels that suicide or self harm is there only option.

The LGBT Ireland Report identified barriers to good mental health, including bullying at school, fear of rejection and discrimination, harassment and violence and negative attitudes and stereotypes. The report shows higher levels of self-harm and suicidal behaviour among LGBT teenagers as well as worrying levels of severe and extremely severe stress, anxiety and depression

Having said that Ireland sent out a very clear message that all LGBT people are equal there is no room in our new society for homophobia or Transphobia. I am so delighted that the line in our proclamation that says ‘’cherish all the children of the nation equally’’ has become more of a reality. I am very proud to be Irish and Gay and very proud that we are the first country in the world to bring in same sex marriage by referendum. The people spoke and they said yes to Love and equality.

I Very much welcome that the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone launched a questionnaire which will inform Ireland’s national LGBT youth strategy on 12^th April , this I believe is a huge positive step, I believe having our Pride Flag flying proudly outside our civic office will be a huge positive symbolic statement of inclusion and acceptance of people for who they are.

Lastly On March 31, 2017 The Worldwide LGBT community lost Gilbert Baker who designed the Pride Flag he helped define the modern LGBT movement.

The Colours represent