NXF urges political parties to prioritise full equality for all LGBT+citizens

Press

The National LGBT Federation (NXF) has called on all political parties to urgently implement legislation aimed at establishing full and equal rights for all LGBT+ people in Irish society.

The NXF Election 2020 Manifesto: Securing Equality released today (Wednesday, Feb 5th) sets out ten key priority areas; among them the urgent need for Hate Crime legislation that is LGBT+ inclusive and also that LGBT+ themes are a compulsory element of the new RSE (Relationships & Sexuality Education) curriculum and applicable to all schools, regardless of ‘ethos’.

The priority points in the manifesto include:

● Enact a specific Hate Crime law that is robust and LGBT+ inclusive.
● Provide comprehensive training to all those tasked with enforcing the new law.
● Implement, in full the recommendations of the Gender Recognition Review Group.
● Ban so-called “gay conversion therapy”
● Bring an end to the discriminatory blood ban and instead ensure this area is governed by individual health practices rather than gender and/or sexual orientation.
● Afford full legal recognition to families who conceived through AHR (assisted human reproduction), whether in Ireland or abroad.
● Introduce mandatory equality and diversity training across the public sector.
● Introduce mandatory equality and diversity training for all those who work within the Direct Provision system.
● Provide adequate funding to LGBT+ sexual health services.

Caroline Keane, Chair of the NXF said:

“From the pressing need to finally legislate in the area of Hate Crime and Hate Speech, to ensuring a fully LGBT+ inclusive curriculum becomes a reality in every Irish school, and in terms of the many other priority areas outlined in our manifesto, it’s clear there is still much to do in securing real and tangible equality for LGBT+ people.

We are therefore calling on all political parties to endorse this road-map for equality and commit to implementing it should they form part of the new incoming government”.

Click to read the NXF Manifesto Securing Equality