Third-Sector Responses to LGB Hate Crime: Community and Garda Engagement

Abstract

Ireland has been on an extraordinary journey towards equality for lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people over the last 20 years; a journey broadly supported by the Irish people. Ireland is more welcoming and inclusive of LGB people, and more young people are increasingly coming out at a younger age with the support of their family, friends and wider community. Legislative change has been comprehensive, from decriminalisation just 23 years ago, through powerful employment and services equality legislation, the introduction of Civil Partnership in 2010 which recognised lesbian and gay relationships for the first time, and in 2015, legislation that recognised lesbian and gay parenting for the first time. In two further remarkable changes, Ireland became the first country in the world to introduce marriage equality by popular vote in May 2015; in a referendum supported by 62% of the voters, and shortly after the government introduced the Gender Recognition Act 2015, whereby Ireland became the fourth country in the world to enable gender recognition by self-declaration.