Address by theMinister of Community, Equality and GaeltachtAffairs,Mr. Pat Carey, T.D.,on the occasion of the launch of LGBT Diversity ProgrammeRoyal Hibernian Academy15 Ely PlaceTuesday, 20 July 2010 at 10.00am

It is a great pleasure to be with you all here thismorning to launch your very exciting programme,Building Sustainable LGBT Communities.I am really impressed by the coordinated nationalapproach you are taking to build capacity in theLGBT sector. Your focus on supporting thedevelopment of LGBT groups in parts of the countrywhich previously lacked such support is mostwelcome.Let's be honest, Irish society has not always beenas tolerant and supportive of gay people as itshould have been. This has been a particular issuein rural Ireland. Often young LGBT people have feltisolated and alone in rural communities, unable tobe true to themselves. They feel forced to moveaway to cities and large towns, where they canengage in a social life that they are comfortablewith. There they can also access important servicesunavailable in their home neighbourhoods.

As the Minister responsible for community andequality affairs, I see it as a cause of sadness and aterrible waste of potential when a young person islost to a rural community because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. So I amdelighted to see the development of a networkwhich will support LGBT people to play a full anactive role within their communities, wherever theymay be.I cannot let this opportunity pass without mentioningthe passage of the

Civil Partnership Bill 2009

The Act, which was signed into law yesterdaymorning by the President, breaks new ground.

For the first time, the State will recognise andsupport the relationships of gay and lesbian coupleswho enter civil partnerships. Our laws will validateand protect the relationships of thousands of couples who have until now been invisible in theeyes of the State.