Debate contribution: International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

Debate contribution by Ms Sinéad McLaughlin on 12 May 2025.

MLA

Ms Sinéad McLaughlin

Party at the time

Social Democratic and Labour Party

Date

12 May 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4937912

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I support the motion, which:

"recognises International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia"

and reaffirms the Assembly's duty to uphold equality, dignity and human rights for all. I am, however, deeply frustrated at how little progress has been made and at how often the failure stems from political choices made in the Chamber. The LGBTQI+ strategy expert advisory panel laid bare the scale of the challenge. The community in Northern Ireland still faces systemic inequalities in healthcare, education, housing and safety. More than a decade after the Executive first committed to a sexual orientation strategy, we are still waiting for it. The LGBTQI+ strategy has been delayed, deferred and deprioritised. Instead of working to resolve that failure, Members opposite have tabled an amendment that seeks not to move us forward but to stoke division. Let us be honest: the DUP's amendment is not about thoughtful policymaking or safeguarding anybody's rights but is a deliberate attempt to weaponise identity and pit communities against one another for political gain. What is most regrettable is that, once again, trans people are being dragged into a toxic culture war. Trans people are not a debate. They are human beings with hopes, feelings and families. They deserve respect and should not be used as a political punchbag. That kind of distraction politics is not just cruel but downright dangerous. While the DUP obsesses over wedge issues, the real crisis, which is growing deeper, concerns our commitment to our communities. Children are going hungry. Families struggle to heat their homes. Poverty is rampant. We, however, are debating an amendment that does nothing to address those urgent needs and everything to stir up division. Yes, we acknowledge the Supreme Court's recent judgement, but let us not pretend that the DUP amendment is a reasoned response to it. The Equality Commission has not yet published its guidance, which will be essential to understanding how the ruling should be applied in a way that protects everyone's rights. Instead of waiting for that clarity, however, the Education Minister has chosen to press ahead with new policy on single-sex spaces in schools. That is not leadership but pre-emption.

No. It is an attempt to shape the political narrative before the facts are even on the table and, rather than focus on the well-being of all our children, to insert a culture war into the classroom.

As a member of the Committee for the Executive Office, I can say that we have taken extensive evidence on the gaping holes in our equality framework. Let me be clear: Northern Ireland is falling behind. We are the only part of these islands without comprehensive protections against age discrimination and we lag behind when it comes to protections based on race, sex and disability. While other jurisdictions move forward, we are left standing still, debating whether equality should even be a priority.

The Assembly should be delivering serious, inclusive and evidence-based legislation that raises standards and ensures that no one is left behind because of who they are or who they love. That requires mature politics, not distraction or division, and certainly not stunts dressed up as amendments. Progress on rights has never come easy; it requires thoughtfulness and respect. When we exploit complex issues for political point-scoring, sow fear instead of understanding and fail the very people who depend on the Assembly to act in their interests, we undermine trust in politics, shrink the space for honest dialogue and show the public that, for some in the Chamber, division still trumps delivery. I am a bit concerned about the wording of Gerry Carroll's amendment, as it seems to advocate the unregulated selling of drugs. The words "sale or supply" are a bit ambiguous and, as he will appreciate, could cause concern. Healthcare for trans people is woefully underfunded, and waiting lists are over eight years long. It is important that members of our trans community are given appropriate —

— and evidence-led healthcare. I urge Members to reject the DUP's amendment and its attempts to start a culture war.

675 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 12:23 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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