While we have seen gains in Ireland, the international backdrop is far less promising, with the increasing prominence of extremist, reactionary forces on the global stage and the rise of authoritarian regimes that express open disdain for equality and other core liberal democratic principles. Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are the most obvious manifestations of this ugly phenomenon. In the US, for example, the LGBTQ gains of the Obama years are being systematically attacked and overturned by a Trump administration that prefers to curry favour with farright, homophobic elements.
Politics & Pride ADAM LONG LOOKS FORWARD TO THE DUBLIN LGBTQ POLITICAL DEBATE THIS PRIDE The Dublin LGBTQ Pride Political Debate, which I am delighted to chair once again, has become a much welcome fixture of the Pride festivities since it was first inaugurated in 2014. In addition to showcasing lively and engaging discussion about current political and legislative issues affecting LGBTQ people, it also serves as a crucial reminder that our Pride movement is firmly rooted in politics and social change. Indeed, 2018 is a year of anniversaries – 35 years since the first Irish Pride march (following the homophobic killing of Declan Flynn) and 25 years since the status of criminality was finally removed from Irish LGBTQ citizens. We can measure the impact of Pride by looking at research such as Burning Issues 2, which reveals that the vast majority of LGBTQ people believe it to be more important than ever. Such clear sentiment provides the perfect response to any claim that Pride suddenly became ‘unnecessary’ following the passage of the marriage referendum in 2015 – an important reform but by no means the end of our equality journey. Time: Thursday, June 28 from 6.30-8.30pm Venue: Outhouse, 105 Capel St, Rotunda, D 1 Chair: Adam Long
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Our concern for justice and equality must not end at any border and of course Pride is a transnational movement. In keeping with this year’s Pride theme, our global LGBTQ community is indeed family. The international dimension of LGBTQ rights will thus feature prominently in this year’s debate. I am particularly pleased to welcome the well-known, much-admired global equality campaigner Peter Tatchell as a panellist this year. Here at home, there are numerous outstanding areas where we still need to achieve progress and I look forward to teasing out those issues with my panellists. It is certainly notable that, according to the research, the desire for progressive social change remains undimmed. I will also be eager to get the views of my panellists on what can broadly be termed ‘Education Equality’. LGBTQ students exist in every single classroom in the country and their rights and needs should take precedence over an archaic school patronage system, which is increasingly out of kilter with the realities of modern Ireland.
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Meanwhile, in numerous other parts of the world, similar unsavoury political ideologies are also gaining ground.
A full agenda of issues awaits us on June 28. Meanwhile, audience input will be as important as ever and we look forward to your views contributing to a dynamic Dublin LGBTQ Pride Political Debate 2018. Adam Long National LGBT Federation
Panelists: Peter Tatchell of the Peter Tatchell Foundation Former Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald TD of Fine Gael Senator Fintan Warfield of Sinn Féin Justin McAleese of Fianna Fáil Sara Phillips of TENI and Dublin LGBTQ Pride Grand Marshal ‘18 Dil Wickremasinghe, Broadcaster
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