Over the weekend, Gay Project Cork launched policy documents aimed at improving the lives of local LGBT+ folk. Titled The Gay Agenda: Making Cork The Best Place In The World To Be LGBT, the proposals suggest that, if implemented by the Cork City Council, could do exactly what it says in the title.

Padraig Rice, the Coordinator of Gay Project Cork, said, “It’s an ambitious goal but by working together we can achieve it. Making Cork the best place to be LGBT will have significant social and economic gains. A safer city will result in more tourists, more inward investment and more jobs. It will also enable people to live their best lives possible – that is our ultimate aspiration.”

Here are some of the Cork City #LE19 candidates who are committed to making a Cork a better place for the LGBT community! pic.twitter.com/0Mi6LShuWj

— Gay Project 🏳️‍🌈 (@GayProjectIRL) May 10, 2019

Rice continued, “We will continue to advocate at a local level for better sexual health services, an LGBT equalities hub, greater support for LGBT festivals, a city wide needs analysis and for an LGBT lens to be applied to all policy making and strategy formation.

“At a national level we are also advocating for hate crime legislation, a ban on bogus conversion therapy, for full and equal family rights and better treatment for LGBT+ asylum seekers. We hope these can be added to the National LGBT Inclusion Strategy which is due to be launched by Leo Varadkar this summer.

“As a country we have made significant progress on LGBT issues over the last 30 years. The criminal status was lifted, discrimination was outlawed and the right to marry was won. It’s now time to ensure that LGBTQI+ people are safe, healthy, visible and supported.”

Big shout out to the 10 candidates from a range of parties who pledge to support our policy on making Cork the Best Place to be LGBT! If you are a candidate and missed the event or had to leave early DM us and we will add you to the list 🏳️‍🌈 pic.twitter.com/JdaKENLjiu

— Gay Project 🏳️‍🌈 (@GayProjectIRL) May 10, 2019

The Gay Project Cork Chair, Colette Finn, added, “Cork has taken the lead in breaking down the prejudices about LGBT+. We need to allow people agency to become whomever they want. Based on the principles of respect and equality we can make Cork a brilliant place to be LGBT+.”