The Labour Party’s, Chris O’Dwyer, is calling on Local Authorities to do more for the LGBTQI+ community this Pride Month O’Dwyer, who is a member of the LGBTQI+ community and a survivor of “conversion therapy” said:”The Pride Flag gets raised every June for a short period of time across the Dublin area, this gesture is very much appreciated by many members of the LGBTQI+ Community. However, it is merely an empty gesture if it is not backed up with action. Pride started as a protest and protest is still an important part of Pride and the Pride Flag is not a symbol of celebration but rather a call to continue the protests of Stonewall. Discrimination against the LGBTQI+ community still exists and in some cases such as “conversion therapy” is allowed under the law of the land.
“Whilst I applaud my own local authority, South Dublin County Council, for the great improvements in recent years more needs to be achieved by them, especially if they fly the Pride Flag at their offices. We need to see SDCC sponsored and funded LGBTQI+ amenities, our Councillors need to bring forward motions calling on the Government to ban “conversion therapy” and improve Transgender healthcare.
“For my part as a Local Area Representative and a member of the Labour Party, which has a proven track record when it comes to delivering on equality issues, I will continously bring forward motions within the Party that support the LGBTQI+ Community and works for improving the quality of life for all members of the Community.
“The Pride Flag is not a decoration to be brought out for a couple of weeks each year and then put back on the shelf. It is a call to action, it is a call for justice and its call for furthering the cause of equality.
