Listen: Q&A Podcast live from Call It Out - a Queer Perspective

Last night, GCN hosted a panel discussion in Project Arts about the homophobia, biphobia and transphobia experienced by the queer community.

Podcast . Written by Katie Donohoe.

Q&A Podcast

GCN, in conjunction with TENI and the #CALLITOUT campaign, presented an evening of conversation exploring the complex and multifaceted nature of discrimination in terms of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia as experienced by LGBT+ people in today’s Ireland.

‘Call It Out‘ is a new civil society campaign to highlight and address the harm caused by homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in Ireland. The campaign is being led by the Transgender Equality Network of Ireland (TENI) and the team from the Hate and Hostility Research Group at the University of Limerick.

Despite recent positive changes for LGBT+ people in Ireland, many still experience harassment and intimidation simply because of who they are.

The results of a survey conducted by HHRG showed that while only 36% of respondents believed that violence against the LGBT+ community is a serious problem in this country, it reported that in actuality, one in five, or 21% of those surveyed, have been punched, hit or physically attacked in public for being LGBT+.

https://twitter.com/hollyshortall/status/1136327732084793347

The panel of guests Ellen Murray, Brendan Courtney, Paddy Smyth and Shubhangi Karmakar spoke in conversation with the journalist and Author, Una Mullally about their experiences of discrimination.

It can’t be understated that the conversations had on the stage were difficult and all panellists were very brave in sharing their vulnerability.

Mullally described the event as a brave space as well as a safe one in that “we can discuss things openly and challenge each other’s opinions but not experiences.”

Throughout the discussion, panellists shared experiences with emotion and vulnerability.

Fatigue, ceaseless, immunity and apathy were the words used by panellists to describe how the trauma of discrimination has made them feel.

There was a discussion about the experience of discrimination because of race, disability and sexuality and what impact this has on an individual’s resilience.

This was further explored with regards to discrimination in the family, internalised homophobia, educating straight people.

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This raised the question of why aren’t there cis heterosexual people sitting in a room talking about what they need to do to stop a culture of discrimination being perpetrated.

You can listen back to the discussion in full below. Subcribe and rate us wherever you get your podcasts.

© 2019 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.

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