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Cork East Fine Gael TD, and Minister of State for Equality, Immigration and Integration, David Stanton, has today launched a Public Consultation on the National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy.

Building on commitments made in the Programme for Government, the Department of Justice and Equality is developing the National Strategy to improve the lives of the LGBTI community in Ireland. The overall aim of this strategy is to target discrimination, promote inclusion, and improve quality of life and wellbeing for LGBTI people.

Public consultation sessions will take place nationwide throughout the month of November to support the development of the strategy. A total of five thematic sessions will take place on the following dates:

Location – Date – Venue – Time

Dublin (specific focus on transgender) – Saturday 3 November – Wynn’s Hotel – 9:30-13:00

Galway – Monday 12 November – Teach Solais – 18:30–21:30

Dublin – Thursday 15 November – Camden Court Hotel – 9:30–13:00

Dundalk – Monday 19 November – Dundalk Outcomers – 18:00-21:00

Cork – Saturday 24 November – Imperial Hotel – 9:30 – 13:00

The consultations will be dynamic and interactive workshops facilitated by key LGBT experts and researchers in partnership with LGBT Ireland. Those wishing to attend a specific consultation workshop are requested to register their details with the Department of Justice prior to the session at LGBTI@justice.ie.

In addition to the public workshops, written submissions on the National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy may also be made to the Department at LGBTI@justice.ie. The deadline for submissions is 30 November 2018.

Minister Stanton is encouraging everyone interested to get involved, saying: “This is your opportunity to influence the National Strategy and to have your say in shaping the priorities of your community.

“Ireland has come a long way in advancing equality for LGBTI citizens over the last number of years. The passage of Marriage Equality and Gender Recognition legislation were key milestones in 2015, followed by the apology to the lesbian and gay community by the Irish Government on the 25th anniversary of decriminalisation earlier this year.”

Minister Stanton has also welcomed additional equality funding of €200,000 in Budget 2019 for the early implementation of actions under the strategy, adding: “While a lot has been achieved in recent times, I firmly believe that there is more to do in advancing equality for LGBTI people – to get to a point where being LGBTI is unremarkable and valued at all levels of our society.”

Speaking at the launch of the Cork Gay Project Winter Wellness Programme, Minister Stanton congratulated the programme organisers on putting together a collaborative and proactive initiative. Officially opening the programme, the Minister said: “It is heartening to see this extent of leadership at community level. This is an exciting and well-designed programme that not only focusses on physical wellbeing but also promotes that strong sense of belonging we know is so important for our mental, emotional and social health.”

Further details on the National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy are available on the Department of Justice website at:
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Public_Consultation_on_the_National_LGBTI_Inclusion_Strategy