South Dublin County Council announced LGBTQ+ woman Emma Murphy as their newly elected mayor after their annual meeting held on June 24th. This “landmark moment”, as the Council shares, comes with celebrations for the LGBTQ+ community, as Murphy is the first LGBTQ+ woman to be elected as mayor of South Dublin.
Following the election, Murphy shared that she’s “thrilled” over the decision and to move forward in the position.
With a background dedicated to empowering youth communities and promoting accessibility, Murphy’s new position only expands her platform to serve as a “role model for all young girls”, as Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee says, along with LGBTQ+ youth. Murphy currently works as a communications director for MEP Barry Andrews, who shared his excitement for her “historic achievement” over the weekend. Councillor Shane Moynihan also shares celebratory wishes, saying he believes Murphy’s election is a “proud and special day for South Dublin County Council”.
Proud and special day for South Dublin County Council today, as my friend and colleague @ladublinoise was elected as Mayor of our County.
Congratulations also to @joannatuffy who was elected as Deputy Mayor. Delighted that our Council is now led by two women. pic.twitter.com/466gvelumz
— Cllr. Shane Moynihan (@shanemoynihan) June 24, 2022
As her election coincided with Dublin Pride celebrations over the weekend, Murphy shares her hopes that this decision will “send a message of hope and solidarity to all members of the LGBTQ+ community”. Murphy spent the weekend celebrating her new position, along with the triumphant return of Dublin Pride, reminding the community of the importance of representation for LGBTQ+ communities and for women.
After a whirlwind weekend I want to thank everyone who has sent me good wishes since my election as Mayor of @sdublincoco on Friday evening.
I am humbled and honoured to take up the mantle from the incredible @TheKavOfficial and am looking forward to the year ahead pic.twitter.com/DjrPg0BQ7j
— Cllr Emma Murphy (@ladublinoise) June 27, 2022
Murphy shares her vision for the future of the position, saying that “it’s something that I am very humbled by and hope that it opens more doors for women and members of the LGBTQ+ community to come forward and get involved and engaged in political life”. While celebrating South Dublin’s election, it’s important to acknowledge others in the LGBTQ+ community who’ve trailblazed a place within Irish politics. Ruth Illingworth, in 2009, was Mulligar’s first openly LGBTQ+ woman elected to be mayor.
Alongside the celebration of Murphy’s accomplishment comes a recognition that queer representation in politics is still an issue to solve. As Emma Murphy mentioned following her election, with more LGBTQ+ political representation comes more advocacy for queer communities and LGBTQ+ youth, so it’s incredibly necessary to mobilize younger generations to engage with their political atmosphere.
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