Programme for Government: Statement from #VoteWithPride Collective

Thursday, 16 January 2025

We, a collective of 18 Irish LGBTQI+ organisations, warmly welcome many of the measures included in the new Programme for Government. 

During the election, our #VoteWithPride campaign called for a range of supports for LGBTQI+ communities, and we see in this document the opportunity to continue the huge progress that Ireland has made since the Marriage Equality referendum in 2015. Of particular note are the commitments to:

• Banning the harmful practice of conversion therapy; 
• The modernisation of incitement to hatred legislation; 
• Ensuring a compassionate and inclusive gender healthcare service; 
• Fully commence the Assisted Human Reproduction Act which regulates surrogacy and provides for enhanced rights for LGBTQ+ families; and
• Combat disinformation and more strongly regulate the online space.

At the same time, we are disappointed at the omission of certain priorities, namely: 

• A simplified legal gender-recognition process for 16- and 17-year-olds;
• Explicit protection for the rights of intersex people; 
• The resourcing of teacher training to enable them to feel confident addressing LGBTQI+ topics in schools; and
• Updating the Equality Acts to provide protections for all LGBTQ+ people.

Additionally, while we welcome the inclusion of trans healthcare in the Programme for Government, we strongly call for the development of a model of care that is based on informed consent and international evidence (WHO and WPATH).

The impact of an anti-human-rights movement is being seen across the world, targeting LGBTQI+ and other communities. We are listening and watching as dangerous anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric becomes louder and the legislation we fought so hard for comes under scrutiny and attack. We need to ensure that our political representatives don’t play politics with LGBTQI+ lives; the stakes are too high.

We look forward to working with the incoming government to implement its progressive commitments, and are committed to working collaboratively for a future where LGBTQI+ people are safe, healthy, visible, and celebrated.

Members of the Collective

The collective which developed the manifesto is comprised of:

• Belong To – LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland
• LGBT Ireland
• Transgender Equality Network
• National LGBT Federation
• Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre
• Dublin Pride
• ShoutOut
• Outcomers
• Midlands LGBT+ Project
• Gay Project
• HIV Ireland
• OutWest
• LINC
• Gay Health Network
• Intersex Ireland
• GOSHH
• Switch Board
• Mammies for Trans Rights