New strategy for schools aims to eradicate LGBTI+ stigma

More work is to be done by schools and gardaí to discourage discrimination against and victimisation of LGBTI+ young people under a new Government strategy.

Any gaps in the law around hate speech and hate crime will be identified and corrected, and the Department of Health will work with regulatory bodies to ban the practice of conversion therapy that tries to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

A bill proposing such a ban was initiated by opposition senators in the Seanad in April but such a move is also proposed in the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy 2018-2020 launched yesterday by Children and Youth Affairs Minister Katherine Zappone.