Why Pride parades are as important today as they were 50 years ago
Pride marches are not just for the rights of LGBT+ people living in the Republic of Ireland, they’re also to highlight the prejudices faced by those with anti-LGBT+ laws in effect — where being LGBT+ can get you beaten, jailed, or even executed. File picture: Brendan Gleeson
Happy Pride! I hope the sun is shining as you head to your nearest parade, whether you’re doused in glitter and vibrant colours or opt to wear the discreet pin of your choice as you meander along the parade’s route in a show of support. I’ve been in both camps and the experience has always been worthwhile.
However, this article isn’t for you, because be it for fun, as an act of defiance, or as a show of support for your LGBT+ friends and family (yes, you’re invited too), you know why you’re marching this Pride.
This is for the “it’s just basic biology”, the “what about Straight Pride”, and the “won’t somebody please think of the children” crowd (because what isn’t for them these days?).
I know in this age of disinformation how hard it can be to find a reason to show someone with different life experiences the most basic of human kindness, so I’m going to use my right to free speech to educate the misinformed — because the fight for equality didn’t end with the marriage equality referendum in 2015.
In a report conducted by the University of Limerick, published by Belong To, 90% of primary school teachers believe it is important for those working in primary schools to know about LGBT+ inclusivity.
Now, before you go jumping for the pitchforks and torches, crying about children being too young to learn about S-E-X, the majority of teachers referred to a curriculum that included LGBT topics and identities, training on LGBT+ experiences, and how to support a child coming out.
Belong To chief executive Moninne Griffth said: “This research reflects what we at Belong To have been hearing from educators for many years — confidence is key ... International research shows that LGBTQ+ inclusion at primary level is a buffer against bullying at primary and in later years.”
Moving to the older students, a comprehensive and inclusive sexual education curriculum is desperately needed. In 2018, the then minister for education, Richard Bruton, called for “a major review” in relationships and sexuality education (RSE).
Mr Bruton called for this review from the National Council of Curriculum and Assessment after, among others, a 2017 report which surveyed 4,000 young people found “the lack of adequate education on sexualities and genders in school was identified as a key issue”.
Last year, however, there was still much disinformation circulating over a proposed change to the social, personal, and health education (SPHE) curriculum, which would “examine how harmful attitudes around gender are perpetuated in the media, online and in society, and discuss strategies for challenging these attitudes and narratives”, and sexual health, which includes “fertility, safer sexual practices, possible responses to an unplanned pregnancy, and how to access sexual health services”.
Not only will a revised sexual education curriculum go a long way to removing the myths around LGBT+ identities, thereby lowering the instances of bullying and suicide, but it will equip students with the knowledge of how to be safe in sexual encounters.
The reality is there needs to be a standardised relationships and sexuality education across Ireland, because there are parents and primary caregivers who do not wish to discuss LGBT+ issues with their children and those may by the very people who need that knowledge the most.
Anti-LGBT+ crime is still prevalent in today’s Ireland. The Office of Democratic Issues and Human Rights’ Ireland Hate Crime Report 2022 found there were a total of 139 anti-LGBT+ hate crimes reported to An Garda Síochána that year.
According to the report: “This includes 119 hate crimes motivated by bias based on sexual orientation, and 20 hate crimes motivated by bias based on gender identity."
An Garda Síochána itself said sexual orientation had been a motive in hate crime and hate-related incidents in 135 cases reported to it over the same time period.
While this figure dropped to 109 cases in 2023, it is still widely believed hate crimes are under-reported in Ireland due to doubt that a conviction will be reached — and that’s in a country where attacks on LGBT+ people are supposedly illegal.
Pride marches are not just for the rights of LGBT+ people living in the Republic of Ireland, they’re also to highlight the prejudices faced by those with anti-LGBT+ laws in effect — where being LGBT+ can get you beaten, jailed, or even executed. Something to be aware of when you’re planning your next holiday.
Look, we all know the HSE is in a shambles. I don’t need to quote reports to make you believe it. However, trans and non-binary people face extra hurdles to access the healthcare they deserve.
In May of this year, Transgress the NGS staged a protest outside the HSE offices calling for an end to the policy of the National Gender Service advising GPs to withhold blood tests and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for their trans patients.
In an open letter to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, the group stated: “People’s choice to access HRT privately or by self-medicating reflects the non-existence of an adequate public trans healthcare system, with current NGS waiting lists estimated at up to 10 years and rising.”
As World Health Organization director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote in 2017: “Since day one, the right to health has been central to WHO’s identity and mandate. It is at the heart of my top priority: Universal health coverage.”
With every minute that passes where trans and non-binary people are denied access to healthcare that should be readily available to them, Ireland maintains its position of the worst place in Europe for trans healthcare — a statistic provided by Transgender Europe.
Healthcare access is by no means the only issue facing trans and non-binary people today, with individuals even facing discrimination — shamefully — from LGB people and banned from competing at certain levels in sport, but such is an article for another day.
It’s not all doom and gloom behind the sparkles and rainbows though, Pride is also a cause for celebration — reminding us of what we’ve achieved in the 50 years since.
In June, the Seanad passed the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill. The bill granted legal recognition, and the protections that come with, to both parents going through the surrogacy route — a landmark moment for LGBT+ rights in Ireland, coming almost 19 years after the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction first recommended the establishment of a regulatory authority and legislation for surrogacy.
As Michelle McGlynn reported for the : “Once the bill has been signed into law, these parents can apply to the High Court for parental orders to secure parentage.”
The bill, while not perfect and in need of amendments to fully make surrogacy an equitable route to choose when starting a family, is still something that deserves recognition as a positive move forward.
The move will be widely celebrated for recognising that when a child is cared for emotionally and financially, the gender of their parents is irrelevant, because as Northern Irish actor Fra Fee said in the BBC series : “A child doesn’t need a mother, a child needs love.”
If you’ve made it this far, there is a chance that some of you may be feeling villainised, so I want to end on a positive note: Yes, you’re right, being gay doesn’t have to be someone’s whole identity — and it isn’t.
We all have to get on with our day-to-day lives just like everyone else but, at some point in our lives, LGBT+ people will have the issues mentioned above at the back of their minds and they will influence how both act in society and perceive ourselves.
Kindness doesn’t cost a thing.
Finally, if what I’ve written here has made you think you’re better off in the closet, please know that while it may be tough now and there is still a way to go before we reach true equality, there is also a community out there that accepts you for who you are — and we are not going anywhere.
- The Cork Pride parade takes place on Sunday, August 4. The parade starts at Grand Parade and ends at Kennedy Quay for the Party at the Port.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
