The long awaited National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy was finally published in the closing weeks of 2019 and sets out a number of policies and actions that the government have committed to implementing over the 2019-2021 period to further equality for LGBT+ people in Ireland. The contents of the Strategy are informed by the public consultation that was launched in 2018 and which was followed by consultative forums that were held around the country. The National LGBT Federation was represented at these public forums and, along with colleagues, argued strongly for the need to make progress on the many outstanding issues of concern for the LGBT+ community.
Our own contribution to the process was driven by the findings of our comprehensive Burning Issues 2 research, which allowed the community to articulate its views and priorities post-marriage equality. The message that came through loud and clear was that our journey towards full equality is far from complete.
The NXF therefore welcomes the unveiling of the Strategy, recognising as it does the need for an across-government commitment to root out the continuing ‘blockages’ that prevent LGBT+ people from being full and equal citizens in every sense of that word.