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It is concerning that Ireland has failed to make progress on LGBTQIA+ rights, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “Today ILGA Europe published its annual Rainbow Map, which ranks European countries in terms of LGBTQIA+ human rights and policy protections. Ireland is once again ranked […]

New Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar must follow through on his commitment to EU values and reverse Hungary’s draconian anti-LGBTI law, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has ruled that Hungary’s 2021 ‘anti-LGBTI propaganda’ law breaches Article 2 of the […]

For too long, sexual health services have been treated as little more than an afterthought by the State, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the Chair of the Oireachtas Health Committee, said: “A new Sexual Health Strategy was published last year, three years after the previous one expired, but […]

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice has welcomed the Minister for Justice’s confirmation that he will bring forward legislation to disregard convictions for consensual same sex activity, before it was decriminalised in 1993. Deputy Rice said: “Last July, on behalf of the Social Democrats, I co-signed a joint opposition Bill to disregard these historic convictions. That […]

The government must undertake significant preparatory work to ensure that accurate data on gender and sexual orientation is collated after the next census, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “It is welcome news that Census 2027 will include questions on sexual orientation and gender. […]

EuroPride presents an opportunity to show solidarity with LGBTQI+ communities across the continent and establish Ireland as a staunch supporter of progress, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “In April, it was announced that the Irish consortium of Limerick Pride, QuareClare and The Outing Festival had been shortlisted to […]