Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to get the opportunity to speak about equality and how it impacts on the LGBTI+ community. As the Minister said, we wish everyone a happy Pride. What is really good this year, and especially on a day like today, when it is so sunny, is that we finally have an event that is back to being held in person this weekend. To everybody taking part, my colleagues will be out in support too. It is fantastic that we are living in a society like this. In this Chamber, we often talk about various crises and things happening in housing and health. It is nice to sometimes have debates where we are discussing areas where there has been such progress. We were world leaders in the context of the marriage equality referendum in 2015. It is something we should all be very proud of. I always remember it vividly because we had a by-election in Carlow-Kilkenny at the same time. I always think of those two events when I remember back to those times. May of this year marked seven years since they happened. It is hard to believe it has been that length of time.

There is a growing general awareness in this regard. It is good and welcome. I see it even with my children and their friends, and in the context of how school is now. It is so different from anything I experienced. I still refer to myself sometimes as a young person. When you have a teenager, however, you do not actually feel so young anymore. It is only when we see our kids getting older that we realise that we must also be getting older. Even since I was in school, however, there is much more acceptance. Some schools are out on their own. I will not name or single out any school, but some are so progressive, so into the individual and they do not mind children expressing themselves. This is extremely important and we should welcome, encourage and support this approach at every opportunity we can. It is fantastic, and even during the drive into Dublin every day this week and for the last few weeks, it has been possible to see all the Pride flags and various businesses getting on board.

I agree with some of the points the Minister made. Despite our great strides in legislation and social awareness, areas of concern remain, particularly regarding healthcare, mental health services and the level of awareness of the complex and specific needs of this community in our medical profession at times. Anecdotal evidence suggests this, but, equally, coming from a constituency that is a mix of rural and urban, I am aware that it can be much more difficult in rural communities. People are living in towns or villages that are much smaller. We have grown a lot, but, at times, in certain areas, there is still some stigma and it can be very difficult. It can be particularly difficult to access crucial supports around sexual health services. Some GPs, for example, may be more old-fashioned in their approach, and this can be very difficult, especially for people in rural communities. It can also be especially difficult to get access to counsellors, mental health services and trans healthcare. Therefore, it is important that we see an improvement in the lack of social services and social outlets. We must grow in this regard. Everywhere is affected, but it can be particularly difficult in rural areas at times. We must examine this aspect.

The work of amplifying and reforming legislation to provide a safe, inclusive and secure country for all continues in earnest. I and several others have been involved as members of the Joint Committee on International Surrogacy, for example, and some of the areas we have been exploring include issues facing same-sex couples, male and female, in the context of international surrogacy arrangements and achieving parental regulation recognition. Our committee has finished its public hearings and we hope to have our report published soon. This is another step forward and an important one.

Safety is a key concern for this community. We saw this, unfortunately, in the most tragic way earlier this year. While I have the opportunity, and the Minister mentioned this, I encourage the Minister for Justice to prioritise the proposed criminal justice (hate crimes) Bill and to publish it as soon as possible. This is robust and comprehensive hate crime legislation, when enacted, will ensure that members of the entire LGBTI+ community and other marginalised communities can feel safe going about their daily lives. There can sometimes be a sea change in the minds of people in society when something is enshrined in legislation. Therefore, it is important that we have this legislation.

While discrimination and difficulties in accessing services affect all ages, younger people struggle the most with accessing information and assistance. LGBT Ireland, which operates a helpline, highlighted that 64% of all calls in 2020 were from young people under the age of 25, with the remaining 36% of calls coming from those under the age of 18. The most common query was for help in coming out. It is important that the Minister referred to his own situation and how it has progressed since he was in school. It is good for young people to see this. Despite great strides in awareness in the wider community, and their own self-awareness of their identity, however, many young people do still struggle to confide in family and peers.

I also welcome the €900,000 made available this week by the Minister for NGOs and community services for the LGTBQI+ community. I understand this funding will maintain and enhance existing services which focus on improving quality of life and well-being for all members of this community. This will be welcomed.

We all want to see people from this community empowered and supported to feel 100% comfortable, as everybody should. So many of us probably take this for granted at times as well.

I will finish there. I totally lost track of the time. I thought that I was only going to take a few minutes but I have taken loads of the time. I reiterate to everyone celebrating Pride, and over this weekend in particular, that we send our solidarity to them.

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