National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021 National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy Foreword by Minister for Justice and Equality Foreword by Minister for Justice and Equality 1 In 2022, Ireland will enter its second century as an Foreword by Minister of State for Equality, independent state. A proud, progressive and modern Immigration and Integration 2 state. This Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Intersex Why is there a need for a National Strategy? 3 + (LGBTI+) Inclusion Strategy sets out the actions that we propose to take between now and 2022 to create an Ireland Vision, Mission and Values 5 that cherishes its LGBTI+ people equally. We have made great Who is this Strategy for? 6 strides in recent decades to promote equality for LGBTI+ people and to respond to the changing needs of our diverse Policy and Legislative Context 7 people. International Context 8 The LGBTI+ Strategy provides us some workplaces and face particular How the Strategy was developed 9 with the opportunity to implement health issues. As Minister for Justice a strategic approach to addressing and Equality, I consider it important How implementation of the the needs of LGBTI+ people. This is that this Strategy should provide the important because, while there have framework for action to enable LGBTI+ Strategy will be monitored 10 been significant gains in specific areas, people to feel safe and secure as they The LGBTI+ Strategy the absence of a comprehensive go about their daily lives. Strategy Thematic Pillars strategy means that outcomes for builds on Ireland’s LGBTI+ people across various sectors, Ireland has a proud record as Visible and Included 11 including health, employment, and a champion of human rights longstanding reputation education, have not been fully assessed internationally. The LGBTI+ Strategy Treated Equally 13 and addressed. Similarly, a coordinated builds on Ireland’s longstanding in promoting human approach to ensuring that Government reputation in promoting human rights by including Healthy 14 policy and services are fully inclusive of rights by including commitments to LGBTI+ needs is required. The Strategy promote and defend LGBTI+ rights commitments to Safe and Supported 15 involves all Government Departments internationally. and many public agencies. It has four promote and defend Action Plan to support the Strategy 17 main goals – visibility, equality, health, This Strategy sets out ambitious and safety. The Government is taking outcomes for LGBTI+ people. It is LGBTI+ rights Appendices 28 action under the framework of this my hope that its implementation will internationally. Strategy to increase the visibility of lead to fundamental changes for the LGBTI+ people in our society, our better in the daily lives of LGBTI+ communities, our workplaces and our people in urban and rural communities families. The Strategy will enable us to throughout the country. work across Government to ensure that LGBTI+ people are treated equally and Charles Flanagan T.D. that their rights are protected. Minister for Justice and Equality There are challenges still needing to be tackled. LGBTI+ people do not always feel safe in the public space. They continue to experience unacceptable levels of harassment, discrimination in 1 National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy Foreword by Minister of State for Equality, Why is there a need for a National Strategy? Immigration and Integration The publication in June 2018 of the world’s first National LGBTI+ Youth Strategy has confirmed the importance of a This Strategy reflects the Government’s firm commitment strategic framework for identifying and addressing issues to LGBTI+ people. The LGBTI+ Strategy constitutes a which may prevent LGBTI+ people from enjoying full equality comprehensive framework for action on LGBTI+ equality for in practice in Irish society. the next two and a half years. It includes 108 actions that are directly aligned to concrete outcomes intended to transform the lives of LGBTI+ people across Ireland. The need for a strategic approach to develop solutions to such issues. It to ensure that LGBTI+ people are LGBTI+ equality is two-fold. Firstly, is through a strategic approach that visible and included. This may require many of the issues which prevent evidence can be collected which services explicitly to signal that they LGBTI+ people from achieving their full tracks the situation and experience of are inclusive of LGBTI+ service users. I look forward to chairing the We know that we have a lot of work to potential in Irish society are structural LGBTI+ people, so that services can be Secondly, in some instances, it may implementation Committee that will do to make this a reality for all LGBTI+ in nature. They require a whole of shaped and reviewed to enable them not be enough for services to signpost oversee this Strategy. It will provide people across the country. The building Government approach to devising to respond to LGBTI+ needs and that that they are open to LGBTI+ users. In an opportunity for LGBTI+ groups to blocks for change are to be found in appropriate solutions. positive actions can be taken to improve such instances, services may need to work in collaboration with Government our families, our workplaces and our Secondly, there is a risk that Irish the lives of LGBTI+ people. adapt provision to ensure that LGBTI+ Departments, public agencies and civil communities. I have long advocated society may consider that LGBTI+ people can access them on an equal society to address needs and to expand the importance of community for the people have achieved full equality A national strategy also offers a basis with other users. Where LGBTI+ opportunities for LGBTI+ individuals. It integration of diversity. I believe that I hope that we can make and inclusion, now that marriage framework in which to address people have particular needs or where is intended that this Strategy will link communities can play an active role equality has been achieved and intersectionality (where people may outcomes are poorer for them than with the already existing strategies in breaking down the barriers which this Strategy a force that the Gender Recognition Act be subject to discrimination on more for other groups, mainstream services that I chair for migrants, women and prevent LGBTI+ people from full 2015 has been enacted. However, than one of the nine equality grounds, may need to bring forward positive girls, Travellers, Roma, and the National participation as equals in our society. for positive change challenges still remain in a number of e.g. LGBTI+ Travellers, migrants, older action measures specifically targeted to Disability Inclusion Strategy chaired areas. In recent data on Equality and people or people with disabilities). LGBTI+ related needs. by Minister Finian McGrath, so that Working together, I hope that we can that enables LGBTI+ Discrimination published by the Central It is intended in this regard that the cross-cutting approaches can be make this strategy a force for positive people to enjoy visibility, Statistics Office (CSO), the highest structures overseeing this LGBTI+ The Strategy is underpinned by a developed to respond to the complex change that enables LGBTI+ people to rates of discrimination were reported Strategy will link with those relating general action promoting LGBTI+ issues that arise for many LGBTI+ enjoy visibility, equality and safety in equality and safety in by people who identify as LGBTI+ to the National Strategy for Women proofing of service provision. This people. The Strategy will dovetail with Irish society. (33.2%), followed by persons from and Girls, the LGBTI+ Youth Strategy, will use the equality and human rights the National LGBTI+ Youth Strategy Irish society. non-white ethnic backgrounds (33.1%), the Migrant Integration Strategy, the public sector duty to support public led by Minister Katherine Zappone and unemployed (30.2%) and non-Irish National Disability Inclusion Strategy services to adopt a more systematic the Department of Children and Youth David Stanton T.D. (26.7%). and the National Traveller and Roma approach to understand and respond Affairs. Minister of State at the Department Inclusion Strategy to enable cross- to the needs of LGBTI+ service users. of Justice and Equality with special This Strategy is being developed with cutting issues affecting LGBTI+ people It will be accompanied by actions on Each of us has a part to play in ensuring responsibility for Equality, Immigration a whole of Government approach to who are Travellers, Roma, people with research, data collection and analysis that this Strategy is a success. The and Integration set out a series of actions that will disabilities, migrants, young people, aimed at building the evidence base to implementation of this Strategy will be implemented between now and or women to be addressed in a more better equip public service providers benefit individuals, families, schools, December 2021. A national strategy systematic way. to meet the needs of LGBTI+ service workplaces and communities. It offers a framework for LGBTI+ users. matters if our family member, our friend groups to identify issues that still The Strategy recognises that for or our work colleague is LGBTI+, and need to be addressed. It also provides LGBTI+ people to enjoy access to It will be accompanied by initiatives need to ensure that our families, our a structure in which Government services on an equal basis with other to raise awareness and to build the workplaces, our