Taoiseach and Minister O'Gorman call for national conversation on 'Looking Back, Moving Forward Together' LGBTI+ campaign

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister Roderic O’Gorman met yesterday in Government Buildings to discuss the ‘Looking Back, Moving Forward Together’ online LGBTI+ public awareness campaign, which is calling on people to start a national conversation on how far Ireland has come in achieving equality for the LGBTI+ community and what more needs to be done.

Commenting on the campaign, the Taoiseach said:

“As a country, it’s so important to take stock of how far we have come in advancing the cause of LGBTI+ rights, from marriage equality to speaking up for LGBTI+ rights around the world where they are under attack. But we must remember that we only achieved these things because so many people came together, started a conversation, and formed a movement for reform.

“The conversation isn’t over – it’s only started. Sadly the LGBTI+ community in Ireland and around the world continues to face violence, intolerance and homophobia, transphobia and biphobia. In fact, an ILGA Europe finding has revealed 2022 as the most violent year in a decade for the community. Here in Ireland, two-thirds of LGBTI+ people have had direct experience of harassment or hate. This campaign will give us a platform to continue the conversation, and to deal head-on with the issues which still confront the community today.”

Minister O’Gorman said:

“As the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth begins work on identifying priority areas for inclusion in the new successor LGBTI+ Strategy, this conversation is more important than ever. We, as a government remain committed to the promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTI+ people.

"As I watch the videos of others who have joined the conversation, I can see that it is now time to move forward together again as a country, and work to achieve real equality for all.”