Minister for Equality marks Pride month with launch of the ambitious new National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy
- Published on: 12 June 2025
- Last updated on: 12 June 2025
- The new Strategy was developed in collaboration with Government Departments and a steering committee including representatives of the LGBTIQ+ community
- 2-year Action Plan agreed across Government also launched, outlining concrete steps to be taken to improve the lives of LGBTIQ+ people
- Launch invited LGBTIQ+ people of all different ages from around Ireland to mark Pride month alongside Minister Norma Foley
The Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, has today announced the publication of the National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy II (NLIS II) 2024-2028 and its first associated two-year Action Plan (2025-2026).
This Strategy sets out the vision for “A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland where people are supported to live inclusive, healthy and fulfilling lives”. The launch follows on the heels of the recent Marriage Referendum +10 Conference funded by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, at which Minister Foley reiterated Government support for the rights of LGBTIQ+ people.
Speaking at the launch of the Strategy, Minister Foley said,
“I am delighted to launch the successor National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy 2024 – 2028 and the first 2-year Action Plan today. This is the end product of many months of work on the part of Government Departments and State Agencies and indeed those who represent the LGBTIQ+ community.
The new Strategy is rooted in a commitment to human rights and recognises the State’s obligation to respect and protect human rights. It recognises the valuable role that civil society plays in the advancement of LGBTIQ+ equality and more broadly across all society.
The National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy aspires to securing full equality for LGBTIQ+ people within Irish society, and to improve quality of life and wellbeing for LGBTIQ+ people, thus enabling them to participate fully in Ireland’s social, economic, cultural, and political life.
I want to acknowledge the input from a host of Government Ministers, their Departments and agencies, who have identified a number of key goals, which they will have direct responsibility for delivering.”
The atmosphere at the launch event was positive and forward-looking, with contributions from many members of the LGBTIQ+ community who were involved in finalising the Strategy and Action Plan. Alongside civil society groups like LGBT Ireland or community groups such as the Midlands LGBT Project, there was a particular focus on the voices of young people, whose futures will evidently be most impacted by the Strategy.
22-year-old Ellen Moriarty shared a poem at the event, entitled ‘Dancing into the Light’, with its rousing final lines referencing the opportunity to make ‘Positive, Progressive, Profound change’. Meanwhile, Hunter Cox spoke as a representative of the Youth Advisory Group for the Strategy. This group took part in the 2024 consultation with children and young people on the development of this new Strategy. Hunter spoke openly and positively about the group’s experience in sharing their views for the Strategy. The group identified a list of priorities and actions for consideration, which the Department of Children, Disability and Equality has ultimately aimed to address with the new Strategy and Action Plan.
Overall, the Strategy reflects the determination of Government Departments and State Agencies to work together to better the lives of LGBTIQ+ people. Implementation of the Action Plan will be led by a variety of Government Departments and State Agencies, and work is already underway.
Note for Editors:
The National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy II 2024 - 2028 (NLIS II) is a whole-of-Government Strategy that will provide a roadmap towards equality for LGBTIQ+ people in Ireland over the coming years.
This successor Strategy seeks to provide a safe, fair, and inclusive Ireland where people are supported to live inclusive, healthy, and fulfilling lives, whatever their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics.
There are four key pillars in the Strategy:
- Safety
- Health and Wellbeing
- Participation and Inclusion
- Equality and Non-Discrimination
The NLIS II seeks to build on the successes and achievements of the inaugural Strategy and to deliver on key actions to address the continuing challenges that LGBTIQ+ people face. The Strategy aims to do this through a whole of lifecycle approach enabling a focused approach to meet the specific and identified needs of the LGBTIQ+ community throughout their lives.
The Strategy is shaped by reflections and learnings from the implementation of both the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy (2018-2020) and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy (2019-2021). It is underpinned by human rights principles and is guided by Ireland’s international human rights commitments.
The NLIS II incorporates a stronger outcomes-focused approach and a transparent implementation structure, with achievable actions, and clear performance indicators. The objectives in the Strategy will be delivered through two 2-year action plans, which outline KPIs, responsibilities and timelines for implementation of actions.