Dublin gets ready for Europe’s largest LGBT conference
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA-Europe) is staging its 16th annual conference in the Irish city of Dublin from 18 – 21 October.
The theme of the conference is “Advancing LGBTI equality in challenging economic times.”
Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, along with the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks are due to make speeches at the event on Sunday.
Ahead of the conference, ILGA-Europe is publicising its map charting LGBT rights in each country across Europe
The findings show that Ireland ranks high in the chart for lesbian and gay rights and protections but it fares poorly on transgender rights.
Overall, Ireland comes 14th out of 48 countries across Europe.
Poor legal provision for the trans community also remains a problem in neighbouring Northern Ireland.
Unlike in England, Wales and Scotland transgender people are currently not protected by hate crime laws.
Stormont Justice Minister David Ford has promised a review.
Chairman of the organising committee, Tiernan Brady believes the theme of the conference couldn’t be more appropriate in the current financial climate, he said:
“The current economic challenges facing Europe can lead to significant challenges to human rights including LGBTI rights.
“All too often human rights can be viewed as luxury items that can be sacrificed or curtailed in times of economic crisis instead of being viewed as important components of economic growth and democracy.”
