Ireland could act as a model European state for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex rights if it chose to according to a top international human rights activist.
Mary Lawlor, a director of Dublin-based Frontline Defenders, made the claim at a major conference.
Speaking at the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association’s European conference in Dublin, she also urged the Government to provide gender recognition for transgender individuals in Ireland.
The Irish Times reports that the Dublin event is the largest LGBTI conference in Europe and 235 participants from 42 countries are taking part.
Lawlor told the paper: “If Ireland chose it could be a model for Europe.
“Obviously political will is very important in all of this and certainly great strides have been made - however I think it’s always the case where any group is marginalised you have to fight apathy.
“Transgender people are people who are multiply discriminated against in every way and I would urge the Government to bring in legislation and make sure their rights are provided for.”
Gender recognition legislation has not yet been passed in Ireland.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Sionnachfionn | Oct 23, 2012, 12:45 PM EDT
Nicely put JoePatAl.
cillowen | Oct 22, 2012, 04:28 PM EDT
certainly fits with the annual St Patrick's Day ghay parading across Eire each year. It might be the Guinness that's causing the switch.
EamonnDublin | Oct 22, 2012, 04:23 PM EDT
The day they make it compulsory - that's the day I'm outta here! Éamonn, Dublin.
IrelandNorth | Oct 22, 2012, 08:01 AM EDT
Why? Another attempt by the Lesbain, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex (LGBTI) [and generally existentially confused! (GEC) to engage in a little affectational designer martyredom. Take it up with yer therapists - girls! Most people are too busy paying their mortgages to be distracted by yer ego-centric genital narcissism. Grow up, for God's sake!
Springfield9 | Oct 22, 2012, 01:55 AM EDT
The Irish people are being overwhelmed with European vagrants and now LGBT agitators. I will not give in to the thought that the entire Nation has lost its mind ..... but there are always the "fringe" elements the media loves to slobber over.
JoePatAl | Oct 21, 2012, 10:27 PM EDT
Well, (katieherk, jacersagain, aloistmartin) it is exactly people like you who are the reason why minorities need protection. The deprecating comments fully illustrate why many sexual minority youngster either commit suicide or are physically harmed. Please, in respect for our countries (US & Eire) do try to remember that it was often discrimination that led our ancestors away from the homeland to the New World and furthermore leads to the strife and violence in The North of our ancestry land. Yes, that is not homophobia but papalphobia which is the cause of the failure to allow justice across all of Ireland. Just think, some member of your family, either immediate or close, is probably one of the people you are making foul comments about at this time. Perhaps due to your anti-attitude they have remained sadly quiet, but nevertheless, someday you will realize that a loved one has been scared by your negativity. Reform now and realize that the land of our people is perhaps about to try to do the correct proper thing for all of its citizens. If nothing else, try to imagine how you would feel about Jim Crow laws and then transpose them to our cousins across the sea with this issue. Perhaps you will then learn to act in the 21st century rather than the 19th and before.
SingleDonald | Oct 21, 2012, 04:18 PM EDT
What is "intersex"?
katieherk | Oct 21, 2012, 11:03 AM EDT
Here we go again.... the minority tries to change society. Why do we bend to these people? What a stupid way to change such a beautiful country and ruin it for those who were travel there often (like me). It disgusts me!!! Who wrote this junk?
jacersagain | Oct 20, 2012, 08:44 PM EDT
Let me get my mathematics right please: 235 people from 42 countries, of whatever size population, works out at an average of 5 people from each of those countries whose population number in millions. And they want the right to behave in the irredeemable way they do to be accepted by the majority? Er… can we talk about a small minority bullying and misleading the majority of people? And expect the noble people of Ireland to lead it??? Sheese!
aloistmartin | Oct 20, 2012, 05:54 PM EDT
LGBT`S, Fat Kat Increment minded Union Labor, Protestants, Criminals, and Immigrants, are simply cheaper to Employ, and Exploit, than I.R.A. Fearing Roman Catholics !