International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia
Valerie Hourigan
Senior HR Business Partner, Dublin Lesbian Line, Student Psychotherapist, LGBTQIA+ Writer and Speaker
Today, as we commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia (#IDAHOBIT), I’m reflecting on the current state of LGBTQIA+ rights in Ireland and in Europe. Despite legal advancements and cultural shifts towards acceptance, disparities persist.
The “LGBTIQ Equality at a Crossroads: Progress and Challenges” report from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) sheds light on the ongoing struggles faced by the LGBTQIA+ community in Ireland. According to a new study published earlier this week, 30% of LGBTQIA+ people in Ireland avoid going to certain locations for fear of being assaulted. Other concerning results emerging from the study include physical violence against members of the community, bullying in schools and so-called conversion therapy practices.
The research aims to capture the lived experiences, views and concerns of LGBTQ+ people aged 15 or older living in the 27 EU Member States plus Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia. Based on a survey with over 100,000 participants, the findings show that, while more LGBTQ+ people feel able to be open about their identities, harassment and violence against the community are on the rise all over Europe.
FRA also published reports on each country’s data, showing that 58% of LGBTQ+ people in Ireland are “fairly or very open” about their identity. However, the results also show that 30% of LGBTQ+ respondents in Ireland “often or always” avoid certain areas “for fear of being assaulted”, with 51% saying that they avoid holding hands with a same-sex partner in public. Other concerning results include harassment and violence, with 60% of participants in Ireland believing that violence against the community has increased. This view is in line with official statistics published by An Garda Síochána, which showed that hate crimes increased by 12% last year, with sexual orientation being one of the most prevalent bias motives.
A new study conducted by a team of researchers at Trinity College Dublin in coordination with Belong To reports that mental health and wellbeing has significantly declined amongst the LGBTQ+ population of Ireland since 2016. The research project entitled, Being LGBTQI+ in Ireland, had a dual focus of examining the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people in the country as well as investigating public attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people. The research consisted of two modules, one of which surveyed 2,800 participants across Ireland identifying as LGBTQ+ about their mental health and wellbeing as well as issues of safety, discrimination, media, school and healthcare. The second module focused on assessing public attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people and surveyed 2,000 people.
Since the organisation’s landmark LGBTIreland report in 2016, researchers found that mental health and wellbeing have declined amongst the LGBTQ+ population. Key findings of the new report indicated “significant challenges” for young people under the age of 25 and trans and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals. Significantly, since the 2016 LGBTIreland study, there has been a 17% increase in symptoms of severe or extremely severe symptoms of depression and a 30% increase in symptoms of severe or extremely severe symptoms of anxiety. For all members of the LGBTQ+ community, 27% had experienced severe or extremely severe symptoms of depression, and 34% experienced severe or extremely severe symptoms of anxiety. Furthermore, the findings showed that 52% had self-harmed and 64% had reported suicidal thoughts, with 26% of participants having made a suicide attempt.
Participants were also asked about feelings of safety in society. Findings showed that 72% experienced verbal abuse due to being LGBTQ+, 51% reported feeling unsafe showing affection with a same-sex partner in public, 1 in 4 have been punched, hit or physically attacked due to being LGBTQ+ and 1 in 6 have experienced sexual violence due to being LGBTQ+. Belong To CEO Moninne Griffith commented that since 2016, Irish society has slipped into “a sense of complacency” regarding LGBTQ+ rights in Ireland. She suggests that since marriage equality has been achieved, this has led to a false perception that, “the struggles of LGBTQI+ people have disappeared.”
As we commemorate #IDAHOBIT, it's imperative to honor the memory of those who have been lost to hatred and violence, while drawing strength from their resilience. The pursuit of equality and liberation remains unwavering, fueled by the collective efforts of activists, advocates, and allies alike.
#IDAHOBIT #Inclusion #Equality #LoveIsLove 🏳️🌈
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If you have been affected by anything in this piece there are numerous services available for LGBTQIA+ people, listed below:
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7moThank you for sharing Valerie Hourigan. To be honest I was sad to read the stats of this report. OMG do we need progress in so many areas.