Dáil debates

Thursday, 23 June 2022

LGBTQI+ and Equality: Statements

 

3:45 pm

Photo of Thomas PringleThomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to contribute to the debate. It goes without saying that we should never be content to live in a country where people do not feel safe to be themselves. Unfortunately, in the past this country was not a safe place for many people. It is time to not only recognise that, but actively ensure this country will never be like that again. Unfortunately, it seems that we have been going backwards recently.

The fact that the national broadcaster allowed a discussion on the existence of trans people is disgraceful. By broadcasting such a discussion, RTÉ completely forewent professional research and well informed debate. The discussion gained nothing. It spread hate and misinformation and caused deep offence. Conversations such as that only serve to divide and isolate. What was the goal of having that discussion? How is it that we are still living in a country where someone's very existence can be questioned? That is unacceptable behaviour and it needs to be stopped immediately. Every person deserves the opportunity to express themselves in a way that is true to them. We gain absolutely nothing by taking that away from people but that is exactly what was done on the RTÉ "Liveline" show, presented by Joe Duffy, in recent weeks. There is no possible justification for it.

We need to remember that is the thin end of the wedge. Those who took part in that discussion or the discussions that were mentioned by the previous speaker are targeting a weak section of the LGBTI+ community and going after them specifically. After they get that success, where will they stop? They will not stop. They will keep going and target everybody else in that community, and then target other people. That is what we must be careful of and fight against. We must defend against every day because it is wrong and we should not allow it. RTÉ and the "Liveline" programme were completely wrong to allow that debate to take place last week. That goes without saying. They must come out and clearly state that and try to do better in future. The only way they can do better is by not having those conversations because this is old hat. It is done and dusted and should not be rehashed.

I was truly shocked by the findings of the report prepared by Mental Health Reform and LGBT Ireland that was launched last week. The research has consistently found that mental health difficulties are more common among LGBTI+ people than among heterosexual cisgender people. That answers all the questions. LGBTI+ people face significant challenges that are not faced by heterosexual people and can result in additional psychological stress and reduced well-being. Such challenges include institutionalised prejudice, social exclusion and LGBTI+ related harassment, bullying and violence. Of course, that leads to a wide range of mental health difficulties that are unique to the community. It is clear that a more targeted approach is needed to provide sufficient services to address such difficulties.

Unfortunately, the LGBTI+ community has reported bad experiences with healthcare providers and very high levels of dissatisfaction with mental health services in this country. That has been attributed to a variety of factors, including health inequalities due to heteronormativity, minority stress and experiences of bias and discrimination in healthcare settings, as well as a general lack of knowledge about LGBTI+ issues. This is not good enough. It is clear that we require better provision and improved mental health services that better meet the needs of the LGBTI+ community and the diverse groups therein. I call on the Government to ensure that mental health services and supports are inclusive of the needs of marginalised groups such as the LGBTI+ community, as well as other marginalised communities such as the Traveller community and migrants.

The list of mental health difficulties that present within those groups shows there is a problem. That problem is us. Irish society does not accept them and does not provide the supports they require. Sadly, there are still professionals working within schools who ought to know better but do not. They continue on and this type of discrimination continues across the board. It makes life more difficult for young people who are already going through the very difficult experience of growing up. Coming to terms with who they are in this world is very important for them and we should be able to facilitate, encourage and protect them and allow them to grow. In doing so, we will improve mental health of everybody in society and that will make a significant difference. We might reach a stage, probably in a utopian future, where we are not debating issues such as this in this House and where people can expect and have the right to be treated properly at all stages. That is something towards which we should be aiming. We should be aiming towards ensuring that happens because then we might actually get there. If we do not get there, we will have travelled a long way along the road of making life bearable for people and allowing them to participate more fully in society. We need to ensure there is fair and proper provision of services for everyone in the country. We need to stop going backwards. It is time now to move forward and ensure equality for all, no matter who they are or how they identify. That will be a measure of out true success in the future.

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