This June, New York City will host World Pride, a fitting location considering this year will mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.
This year, the Heritage Of Pride organisation will present a special award to Ireland for its support of the LGBT+ community. The award is a response, amongst other things, to the results of the Equal Marriage Referendum – the first time a country legalised same-sex marriage through a popular vote.
It is awarded in the hope it will inspire other countries to follow in the footsteps of our country’s support of our LGBT+ citizens.
The countdown to WorldPride 2019 | Stonewall 50 begins now.
How will you celebrate "Millions of Moments of Pride" in June? pic.twitter.com/jMz4p2ZPDw
— New York City Pride (@NYCPride) April 22, 2019
Minister Katherine Zappone, who was at the forefront of the battle for equal marriage in Ireland, will receive the award at the ceremony in New York. She will be accompanied by ambassadors from the LGBTI+ Youth Strategy, which was the first of its kind in the world. The Strategy was developed in association with a Youth Advisory Group and revolves around three main goals:
1. Create a Safe, Supportive and Inclusive Environment for LGBTI+ young people.
2. Improve the Mental, Physical and Sexual Health and Wellbeing of the Entire LGBTI+ Community.
3. Develop the Research and Data Environment to Better Understand the Lives of LGBTI+ Young People.
PRESS RELEASE: LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy.
Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs Opening Statement by Minister Katherine Zappone
@KZapponeTD @LGBTIYouthStrat @merrionstreet @ywirl @SpunOut https://t.co/gr4VSYOsGk— Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, Youth (@dcediy) May 15, 2019
Minister Zappone will refer to the World Pride award today as she updates members of the Government on Youth Strategy. In a statement released in advance of Minister Zappone’s talk to the Oireachtas Children Committee, it describes how she will tell those gathered that Ireland is now considered “a leading voice, a recognised global leader, for LGBTI+ rights” and that “with this honour comes responsibilities. We are protectors of rights.”
The statement also lists, however, that if the goal is for Ireland to become “a fully inclusive, equal and fair society – we are not there yet.”
World Pride will begin on Friday June 28 in New York.
© 2019 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
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