LGBTI strategy
There's a concern that verbal and also physical attacks against LGBTI people aren't being reported to the Gardai.
Firstly a new government strategy has been launched aimed at making Ireland safer and more inclusive for members of the community.
It'll run between now and 2021 and has set out 100 actions.
They include LGBTI matters being included in a review of what's taught in schools as part of Religious and Sexual Education.
The strategy is made up of four pillars; Visible and Included, Treated Equally, Healthy and Safe and Supported.
These will identify key large-scale events each year to promote LGBTI+ visibility, and explore opportunities for appropriate inclusion of LGBTI+ lives in the curriculum as part of a review at both primary and senior-cycle levels.
Standing-room only at the @DeptJusticeIRL launch of Ireland’s first LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy! Ministers @CharlieFlanagan and @davidstantontd are joined by members of the Departments’ LGBTI+ Staff Network and Minister @KZapponeTD on the steps of Leinster House #Inclusion pic.twitter.com/FzpyaKVsf5
— Department of Justice & Equality (@DeptJusticeIRL) November 28, 2019
There's also going to be more funding for community support services and gender-neutral toilets.
The government's also promising to introduce stronger hate crime laws.
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan hopes the strategy makes a real difference:
"This is a national strategy because it speaks to Ireland"
"To the society we are, and the society we aspire to be."
"It is of the utmost importance that the strategy clearly responds to key issues facing the LGBTI+ community.
"I want to set an ambitious vision for Ireland, where the end goal is full equality for LGBTI+ people.
While legislative proposals will also be brought forward under the strategy, to ensure that incitement to hatred and hate crimes against LGBTI+ people are "adequately addressed in our laws".
