European Commission Representation in Ireland expresses support for Dublin Pride 2023

PRIDE STATEMENT 2023

We, the Ambassadors and chargé(s) d’affaires of the Diplomatic Missions of Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States, and joined by the Heads of the European Commission Representation in Ireland and European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland, would like to thank the organisers of the Dublin Pride festival.

We continue to fully support the work of Dublin Pride and we reaffirm our opposition to all forms of violence and discrimination, including on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and sex characteristics.

We subscribe to the key theme of the Pride Week “protest, remember, celebrate”, building on the events that happened 50, 40 and 30 years ago. In this commemorative year, we continue to express our support and celebrate the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer/Questioning persons (LGBTIQ+) community, the work of Dublin Pride, as well as other like-minded organisations and services. We commit to continuing our work to promote, respect and strongly condemn discrimination against LGBTIQ+ persons, both in Ireland and abroad. Among other things we show this by taking part as a joint contingent of ‘Diplomats for Equality’ in the Dublin Pride Parade on 24 June 2023.

30 years ago, Ireland abolished its legislation which criminalised same-sex conduct between consenting adults. This is something to cherish and to celebrate today. Unfortunately, sixty-four jurisdictions around the world still criminalise this conduct, including through arbitrary arrest and the application of the death penalty simply for being LGBTIQ+. Hence action is still necessary.

Decriminalisation is not enough. Despite improved legal conditions in Ireland and elsewhere, instances of discrimination and/or persecution of the LGBTIQ+ community still occur. In this regard  we follow with interest the debate on the introduction of robust hate crime legislation and enhanced reporting.

All people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity must be able to live freely without fear of violence or discrimination, and play an active part in society. Education, raising awareness, and dialogue are key tools to achieve this, as is the provision of mental health assistance. Pride organisations across the world, including Dublin Pride, play an important role in this work. This educational work will also help address the challenges that the most vulnerable disadvantaged LGBTIQ+ people face.