Cork is getting ready to celebrate all LGBTQ+ community members during their 2023 LGBTI+ Awareness Week.

May 17 is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), and every year since 2011, Cork City has recognised this day with a week-long awareness campaign. This year’s theme is ‘Together Always – United in Diversity!’ and it will include a strong expression of solidarity, support, and inclusive events throughout the whole week.

Cork City’s LGBT Inter-Agency Group shared, “Cork City has marked IDAHOBIT every year for well over a decade by bringing the city, its public agencies and communities together to challenge hatred and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

“It’s everyone’s job to challenge homophobia, lesbophobia, transphobia and biphobia. During Cork LGBTI+ Awareness Week there are lots of opportunities to learn how we can each play a role in calling out hatred and injustice or simply making space for difference. At a time when hard-won advances for LGBTI+ Communities around the globe are under threat, the power of solidarity, allyship and community has never been more important or necessary!”

This year is particularly significant as 2023 marks 30 years since homosexuality was decriminalised in Ireland.

Event speakers include LGBTQ+ activist and campaigner Arthur Leahy and Irish Council for Civil Liberties policy officer Luna Lara Liboni. Together they will recognise this milestone in a keynote speech, ‘30 Years: Decriminalising Homosexuality to Criminalising Hate Crime’. Their address will take place during the formal event launch on Monday.

With its continued commitment to combatting hate, discrimination, and inequality, Cork is a member of the Rainbow Cities Network, a growing network of international cities concerned with LGBTQ+ policies. Lord Mayor Deirdre Forde said, “I welcome the LGBTI+ Awareness Week programme of events and encourage everyone to participate in the Awareness Week.”

Some event highlights include an LGBTI+ Culture night at the Triskel Arts Centre at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, May 17 and a family-friendly Rainbow Picnic in Marina Park from 2-5:00 pm on Saturday, May 20. Those planning to attend are encouraged to reserve spots in advance.

In another highly-anticipated event, Cork City Library will host a panel discussion called the Public Services and Community Organisations Responding to Hate. Last month, Cork Library vowed to keep LGBTQ+ books available despite intimidation from members of an anti-LGBTQ+ group who verbally abused library staff and were seen destroying a copy of This Book is Gay by trans author Juno Dawson.

The panel discussion will take place in Cork City’s Central Library on Tuesday, May 16, at 2:00 pm. In addition to the panel, the library will host several other events during the week, including an LGBTQ+ exhibition called ‘The day Ireland made world history.’

Cork LGBTI+ Awareness Week is just around the corner 🏳️‍🌈

There is loads happening all week, 15-21 May, with lots of events taking place in the City Library 🎉🎉🎉

Check out the programme here 👇https://t.co/T6hUSivQQw#CorkCityLibraries #AllOfUS #CityOfWelcomes #CorkLGBTWeek pic.twitter.com/NMXcwKHPU9

— Cork City Libraries (@corkcitylibrary) May 4, 2023

Additional events include a Cork City flag raising, a Cork City PPN Consultation at the Gay Project, an LGBTI well-being discussion, a seminar on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), film screenings, education and awareness sessions.

A complete list of LGBTI+ Awareness Week events can be found at www.corkcity.ie/lgbti.