Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish all Members a happy pride week. The Dublin Pride Parade will take place on Saturday and other pride parades will take place across Ireland. This summer, many of those participating in the Dublin pride festival will remember the homophobic murder of Declan Flynn in 1982. The LGBT community continue to march against discrimination persecution with visibility and pride. Last year's pride festival followed upon the senseless attack and murder of 49 LGBT people in Orlando and this year's festival takes place in the shadow of human rights abuses in Chechnya. I recently met the Russian ambassador to Ireland along with the Leader, Senator Buttimer, and Senator Norris and I again condemn the actions of those in Chechnya. Those who deny the existence of gay men should know that Ireland condemns their actions. The LGBT community should know that we stand with them always. Many people from our local communities will be taking part in the festival, some of whom will be marching for the first time and public representatives should facilitate their being there. It is a big step to take and one's visibility is important. On 22 May 2015, the Irish people said in no uncertain that every citizen and resident of Ireland should have the same opportunities no matter who they are, what they look like, where they are from or who they love. We can and must continue to build a new Ireland in that spirit, an Ireland that recognises a person's right to a home, marriage equality, gender recognition, Traveller ethnicity, freedom from direct provision, decency and democracy at work. The LGBT community has a role to play in all of that. I wish all Members a happy pride week and encourage them to join their local pride parades this summer.