I have Pride in Labour

With the festivities of Dublin Pride weekend beginning tomorrow, I wrote this short piece about Labour’s role in achieving an Ireland based on equal citizenship regardless of sexuality or gender identity:

Pride for me has always been about people. It’s a human celebration and a statement that our society will only really be equal when all our citizens have the same rights.

As legislators, we work often behind the scenes over many months, to bring about positive change to our society. 

Over the next few months, the Dáil will look at key pieces of legislation for LGBT people, addressing issues around adoption and the modern family unit, equal rights in employment and official recognition of gender identities. 

While there is no doubt that Civil Partnership has been a major advancement for gay and lesbian couples, it falls short of full constitutional equality which is critical for the status, standing and dignity of all lesbian and gay people. 

A referendum on equal marriage in 2015 will allow each and every one of us to vote for equal citizenship and make a statement that we value the rights of gay and lesbian Irish people.

Prior to this referendum, the Children and Family Relationships Bill will address important issues like adoption rights, surrogacy and IVF, and will ensure our laws reflect the blend of Irish families that exist in our society today. 

This Bill will mean the children of lesbian and gay couples will be afforded the same rights as all other children.

As a teacher for 13 years, I recognise the ‘chill effect’ of Section 37.1 of the Employment Equality Act. Under the Act, religious-run educational and medical institutions can effectively discriminate against employees or prospective employees who do not ‘fit in’ with their ethos.  

This is not reflective of modern Ireland and I am very proud to be part of the Labour group of TDs and Senators that published a Bill to protect individuals working in our schools and hospitals against discrimination.

For far too long, the ‘T’ has been left silent in debates on LGBT rights. The Gender Recognition Bill, for the first time, will give our transgender citizens full legal recognition of their gender identity. 

Trans people have not been recognised or even acknowledged in our laws and this Bill is a statement that the State fully respects and recognises each citizen’s gender identity. If not for Labour in Government, I believe this important reform would not be happening and transgender issues would remain in the shadows of our society.

The Labour Party has championed LGBT issues when no one else would, and pushed for greater LGBT rights when it was not popular to do so. 

We were the first party to form an LGBT campaigning group and we have consistently been to the forefront in creating a more inclusive and equal Ireland. 

Labour in Government will continue to be a progressive voice on LGBT issues.

I am proud of this tradition and I’m proud to walk with my Labour friends and colleagues in Dublin this Saturday.

I would like to wish everyone a very happy Pride weekend!