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31/08/2022
Alliance To Launch LGBTQIA+ Equality
Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson is to launch a new All Party Group on LGBTQIA+ Equality.
The new group will aim to make promoting and protecting the rights of LGBTQIA+ a priority over the course of this Assembly mandate.
The Upper Bann MLA was joined at the launch of the new APG by other MLAs and senior representatives from LGBTQIA+ sector organisations and the Equality Commission.
The APG will consider key issues including healthcare inequalities; homophobic, transphobic and biphobic bullying in schools; hate crime; delivery and implementation of the long-overdue LGBTQI+ strategy and the campaign to ban so-called conversion therapy.
Mr Tennyson said: "Northern Ireland has made significant strides to support LGBTQIA+ people in recent years, from the introduction of marriage equality to ending the ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood.
"Yet despite these advances, we know that LGBTQIA+ people continue to face significant barriers to full participation in public life. The UK Government’s LGBT Survey revealed that two-thirds of LGBT people fear holding their partner’s hand in public, while more than 5% have been offered so-called conversion therapy.
"That's why I’m delighted to be launching this APG today alongside cross-party MLAs, sector organisations and key stakeholders. Through this forum, we will work to ensure LGBTQIA+ equality is a priority in this Assembly mandate.
"There remains much work to do to progress and protect LGBTQIA+ rights. The new APG will push focus on a variety of areas; from eliminating healthcare inequalities, to tackling hate crime; and ensuring ensure all LGBTQIA+ young people feel valued, safe, and included at school."
The new group will aim to make promoting and protecting the rights of LGBTQIA+ a priority over the course of this Assembly mandate.
The Upper Bann MLA was joined at the launch of the new APG by other MLAs and senior representatives from LGBTQIA+ sector organisations and the Equality Commission.
The APG will consider key issues including healthcare inequalities; homophobic, transphobic and biphobic bullying in schools; hate crime; delivery and implementation of the long-overdue LGBTQI+ strategy and the campaign to ban so-called conversion therapy.
Mr Tennyson said: "Northern Ireland has made significant strides to support LGBTQIA+ people in recent years, from the introduction of marriage equality to ending the ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood.
"Yet despite these advances, we know that LGBTQIA+ people continue to face significant barriers to full participation in public life. The UK Government’s LGBT Survey revealed that two-thirds of LGBT people fear holding their partner’s hand in public, while more than 5% have been offered so-called conversion therapy.
"That's why I’m delighted to be launching this APG today alongside cross-party MLAs, sector organisations and key stakeholders. Through this forum, we will work to ensure LGBTQIA+ equality is a priority in this Assembly mandate.
"There remains much work to do to progress and protect LGBTQIA+ rights. The new APG will push focus on a variety of areas; from eliminating healthcare inequalities, to tackling hate crime; and ensuring ensure all LGBTQIA+ young people feel valued, safe, and included at school."
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
