From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
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In 2019, New York City Pride and World Pride come together for the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots of 1969 to host the largest Pride celebration in the world.
The Consulate of Ireland took part in New York City Pride Parade for the first time in 2018.
The Consulate will participate in the Pride Parade again in 2019 with a full Irish Delegation including the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone, and three young people who were part of the Youth Advisory Group during the development of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy.
The youth delegation will visit the LGBT Community Centre in New York to meet young members of the LGBT community in New York and share learning about issues of mutual interest. The delegation will also attend Stonewall Commemoration events and a Youth Pride event sharing their experiences on the development of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy with other young people from around the world.
A screening of Linda Cullen and Vanessa Gildea’s award-winning documentary on the marriage referendum ‘The 34th’ in the Irish Arts Centre New York will be followed by a Q&A with Minister Zappone.
Minister Zappone will then receive a luminary award in recognition of Ireland’s work as a global leader in LGBTI+ equality.
The delegation will participate in the Pride Parade on Sunday 30th June, before their return journey home.
Speaking about the event, Minister Zappone said:
“I am delighted that Ireland has reached a point in its journey where we can take our place on the world stage proudly as a country where LGBTI+ young people can flourish as visible, valued and included citizens.”
ENDS
The LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy was published on 29 June 2018 and is a world first. It is a key commitment for DCYA as part of the 2016 Programme for a Partnership Government and will make a significant contribution towards the government's broader commitment to continue to strive for the full inclusion of LGBTI+ people in Irish society. It is a 3 year Strategy that is strongly action oriented with the mission to ensure all LGBTI+ young people are visible, valued and included.
A number of significant changes have taken place in Ireland in recent decades which have resulted in substantial progress and improved outcomes for LGBTI+ people. The Strategy seeks to put measures in place to address some of the remaining challenges faced by LGBTI+ young people, so as to ensure that they can achieve the same positive outcomes as all other young people .
The Strategy and its future governance lie within the framework of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The Policy Framework for Children and Young People and as such will contribute to achievement of the five national outcomes for children and young people:
The expected outcomes from the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy will: