Naoise Ó Cearúil (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

As we celebrate Pride Month and the ten-year anniversary of the marriage equality referendum, it is important to call out the bravery and activism of the LGBTQI+ community, their families, allies and campaigners. We can all recall the referendum ten years ago and the sense of sheer joy and jubilation when the result came through. The memory of seeing how much it meant to friends of mine will never leave me. I am sure the memories will never leave anybody who was part of that campaign.

There has been significant progress in this area, from the decriminalisation of homosexuality under Máire Geoghegan-Quinn as Minister for Justice to the civil partnership Act and, finally, the marriage equality referendum. I have probably used the word "finally" wrongly because that achievement should not be the final step. There must be a continuation of equality for all people in society, including LGBTQI+ people.

The referendum was not just about the referendum. It was about respect, dignity and love. It was about being seen as equal to one's neighbours, friends and family.

It is critical now more than ever to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQI+ community and all of those who are being vilified in society, particularly with the rise of hatred and the targeting of the LGBTQI+ community we are seeing online, including Members of this House who are members of that community.

As other Deputies have said this evening, what has been happening in Hungary is plain and simply wrong. It goes against the basic human rights and dignity of people in their own country. Rightfully, the Hungarian people took a stand against their Government.

The amount of hate speech we are seeing online and in public discourse needs to be called out, not only in this House and the Seanad, but in private conversations. When people make jokes or are a little bit more serious about it, it needs to be called out. We should not be afraid to do so.

It is important to go back and think about all of those people who are not here anymore but who fought to bring Ireland to the stage where we saw marriage equality. When I was in university in Maynooth, I joined the LGBT society as a straight man in order to be an ally to my friends. I think of Dean McCarron, a good friend of mine from Monaghan who is no longer with us. He campaigned vigorously during the marriage equality referendum and was present at the celebrations at Dublin Castle. I think of a particular photograph of him in which he is extremely happy. He is in my thoughts this evening as I speak in the Chamber.

Equality does not stop with the law. Rather, it lives in policy, community and respect. It is incumbent on all of us to ensure that equality stretches out, not just within this House and in drafting legislation, but outside of it in any sector or society we may touch and the conversations we have. While we celebrate Pride month and the achievements of the LGBTQI+ community, we must not forget that equality does not have a finish line. Equality is a moving and tangible obstacle that we must strive towards in our daily lives. It is incumbent on all of us to continue to strive to ensure that what we do delivers equality for the LGBTQI+ community and all marginalised sectors of society.

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