Friends,
Our gathering and our theme today are important.
The fact that Cork Pride is going ahead with great gatherings, conversations and insights will be welcomed by members of our community not just here in Ireland but internationally where many face increasing inequality, intimidation and even danger.
This weekend all of Cork is an ally.
An ally to those trapped in the LGBT free zones in Poland, to those striving to overthrow the hateful and divisive policies of the Trump Administration and those forced to live in secrecy in Russia, Turkey and Iran, because the alternative is to risk injury or death.
It is hard to be believe that five years after the joyful scenes which marked the Marriage Equality referendum that once again our friends, family and networks are facing increased discrimination and intimidation – even in America.
I mention these global events because they have a trickle-down effect. They risk undermining the decades of progress we have seen since Stonewall in New York, decriminalisation and the Global march towards Marriage Equality.
While Ireland may have largely escaped the rise in right wing politics there is no doubt that those who want to undermine our rights here are feeling emboldened.
We see this on social media. Public figures who are out frequently targeted and abused. We have seen it manifest too during some on-street demonstrations. We see it when Irish youth group, BelongTo, report that for six out of 10 LGBTI+ young people ‘Coming Out’ is the biggest issue they face.
Nothing can be starker in highlighting the need for our community to have allies than the voices of our young people who fear rejection by parents, family and in some cases even their friends.
BEING AN ALLY
With that backdrop – you can see the importance of today’s gathering.
In everyday life we all need allies – no matter what our sexual orientation.
With the Covid-19 pandemic perhaps we all need them now more than ever.
As team-mates, neighbours or friends – allies give us all a network to rely on for support, for help and of course for fun.
At its most serious, and we are currently living in serious times, allies are people we know are there for us – this ensures good mental health and well-being.
Without them members of our community, in particular those outside our main cities, can risk being isolated or alone.
While Dublin, Cork and other cities may have vibrant communities and Pride Celebrations like this weekend, there are also towns which do not.
It is true that this gap can be partially filled through online supports and services but missing that local contact can have a detrimental impact on some-one’s life and be a barrier towards their participation in their local town, village or rural area.
We need to be aware of that and look at ways to ensure people are not cut off or left behind.
There are very visible steps which can be taken such as the proposal in Clonakilty for a rainbow zebra crossing, the first in Ireland. But more importantly can be the Direct Message, the Text or phone call to simply say hello neighbour.
ALLIES IN THE WORKPLACE
There are many studies which show how much time each of us spend in the work environment.
40 hours a week, for 48 weeks a year during a working life of 37 years. That is 71,040 hours or 2,960 days which is the equivalent of working 24-hours a day every day for more than eight years.
It is a sizable chunk of anyone’s life. During this period whether physically in an office, a factory, on the road or now meeting virtually your contacts are customers, colleagues and managers.
In all likelihood, you will spend more time with them than any individual family member or any friend who you do not work with.
This is why it is so important that the environment and socialising – and yes even the gossip – which goes on around your employment is a safe place.
We all expect it to be free of intimidation, but it should also be inclusive, welcoming and understanding.
All workplaces are required to comply with legislation – including in the areas of bullying, harassment and discrimination. Those are the basics.
What employers should further consider is how open and welcoming they are to members of the LGBTI+ community.
I am sure this weekend those of you in Cork as you walk around the beautiful city will see many places of employment flying the rainbow colours. That is to be welcomed.
However, it should also be remembered that truly inclusive workplaces with LGBTI+ Allies have pride all the time.
Four years ago an international study of 60-countries entitled ‘LGBT Allies: The Power of Friends’, found that 57% of employees would be too scared to speak up if they heard homophobic banter at work.
As colleagues, and as managers, it is important to ask – is my place of work like that?
Being a true ally of course takes effort, takes time and for companies it can take resources.
There are a number of workplace policies which can ensure equality for all.
- Don’t just meet the minimum legal requirements to prevent harassment or bullying. Introduce your own. Such policies could be highlighted with visual reminders that this is a safe place for all. Support this with a fair, clear and transparent complaints procedure.
- Show leadership on inclusion. Leaders of companies should seek out opportunities to deliver speeches on inclusion in front of employees, at conferences or public events such as Summer Schools. Talk about combatting inequality. Be a public ally. Such endorsements are much more powerful that a workplace self-declaring itself as ‘gay friendly’.
- Have a diversity officer. Someone in the team who ensures opportunities and space for LGBTI+ people and their allies to meet and show support for each other. A diversity programme could encourage all employees to sign a charter or declaration – allies together seeking equality.
There are many more steps of course which can be taken, and I give these just as examples.
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR IRELAND
As a woman, a married lesbian and as campaigner who has worked and strived for equality not just in the LGBTI+ space but also on immigrant rights and on violence against women, I was deeply honoured to be appointed as Chief Executive Officer of The Community Foundation for Ireland this summer.
For those of you who are not fully aware of our work, the Foundation is entering into its 21st year as the leading philanthropic organisation in the country providing over €60m in grants over that period.
This year alone we will see the total funding in grants double as a direct result of the impact of Covid-19 to well over €15m.
Charities, community and voluntary groups who receive grants from us share the vision of both the Foundation and its donors – equality for all in thriving communities.
From day one the Foundation has been supportive of the LGBTI+ community. Early grants going to a lesbian collective and to GCN Magazine, a long-standing voice which has chronicled our recent history in this country.
Since then almost €1m has gone specifically on LBGTI+ projects, though of course many others also deliver benefits in areas like health and well-being.
Here in Cork we partnered with TENI and the Cork Counselling Centre last year to fund the production of an information guide for councellors and psychotherapists to provide appropriate supports for Transgender people.
It was a success and as a result we have an important document to combat transphobia, stigma and discrimination in Cork.
These are concrete projects which increase awareness, deliver results and help transform lives. They would not be possible without our donors – true allies as we strive to reach our goal of equality for all.
BE AN ALLY
The importance of independent funding to community and voluntary organisations and groups cannot be over-emphasised.
It gives more freedom, reliability and sustainability than public funding which can be rigid in terms of rules and also fluid in terms of amounts due to economic and political circumstances.
This unreliability can leave services, organisations and therefor people they support vulnerable.
As you may know, the Community Foundation for Ireland has formally established an LGBTI+ Fund to ring fence funds into the future.
Our hope now is that people and companies may like to support the fund with a donation or make the decision to include the Fund in their will. This is a very tangible and real way to become an ally. I would encourage any company or individual who want to be an ally to seriously consider it.
We will build the Fund into the future with the support of interested donors and look forward to make Ireland a leader in the world, like we were as the first country to introduce Marriage Equality by popular vote.
If you want to learn more about the LGBT+ Fund or talk to us about leaving a legacy or making a gift, please reach out.
CONCLUSION
I started by mentioning the challenges facing our community at home and worldwide.
It is true we live in uncertain times and that can be un-nerving.
That is when we all need allies the most. They help us get through work-days which are like none we have ever seen before. They give us courage, friendship and love.
It is easy to forget that it is difficult periods which often bring out the best in people.
The very fact that Cork Pride is going ahead is a testament to that.
We see it every day in The Community Foundation for Ireland as groups, volunteers and organisations we partner with robustly respond to challenges and provide a lifeline to neighbours, friends and family.
These are the moments which keep hopes and spirits high, they also show the impact the partnerships which form through donations, gift giving and legacies can have on communities and on lives.
With those positive thoughts – can I just wish all of you in Cork and watching online – Happy Pride!
Thank You.