Ann Graves (Dublin Fingal East, Sinn Fein)

Pride, as we know, has grown from being a small gathering in Dublin to a nationwide celebration of inclusion. It is a time when cities and towns across the island of Ireland take out the rainbow flag and welcome the progress made by the LGBTQI+ community in recent years. It is important that we recognise and celebrate the progress made but still we have more to do and we have to be vigilant. There are those who would roll back the progress and drag us back to a darker and more dangerous time.

Sinn Féin condemns the increase in attacks on LGBT+ people. We reject transphobia and homophobia in Ireland and overseas. We only have to look at Hungary to see where these reactionary forces want to take us. I commend those who, despite the bully-boy homophobic government, went ahead and organised the Pride parade in Budapest where there was a massive turnout despite the police banning it. People attended it not only to support LGBT rights but also for the country’s democratic future. It sent out an absolutely powerful message.

Closer to home, I congratulate our own Fingal Pride, which is part of the Dublin Pride group. It was launched in 2021. Its mission is to support LGBTQI+ people and their friends and families in Fingal. We organise regular events and activities throughout the county by increasing visibility and integration. This year’s Pride was held in the beautiful Swords Castle, with music, DJs and family fun. It was a real family day out. The main Dublin Pride parade was a huge success, with 12,500 on the parade and a further 100,000 gathering to support, watch and participate along the route.

It is ten years since the passing of the marriage equality referendum and the Gender Recognition Act. I ask that the Government mark this appropriately in a dignified and inclusive manner.

The decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1993 was a major step forward into a brighter and better future but challenges still remain. The 1993 legislation did not expunge prior convictions under the previous draconian law. An Teachta Ó Snodaigh recently introduced legislation to do so. I urge the Government to facilitate the passing of this Bill into law as soon as possible.

Other issues affecting the LGBTQI+ community that must be addressed are youth homelessness, mental health, violence and online harassment. Sinn Féin fights for an inclusive nation based for equal rights for all.

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