South Dublin County Council passes motion to fly trans flag every year

The motion will see the trans flag flown for seven days every year to commemorate International Transgender Day of Visibility.

NEWS26 NOVEMBER, 2019. WRITTEN BY KATIE DONOHOE.

South Dublin City Council has passed a motion proposed by Councillor Francis Timmons which will see the trans flag flown for International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31 every year and for 6 days after.

The motion was proposed at the end of last month and also committed to supporting the campaign to introduce hate crime legislation as a matter of urgency by writing to the Minister for Justice.

The motion stated:

“That this Council amends the Flag Policy/Protocol and include the Transgender Flag and ensure that it is flown for International Transgender Day of Visibility on 31st March every year and for 6 days after.

“We commit to writing to the Transgendered Equality Network Ireland (TENI) to show our support for the ‘Call It Out campaign‘ which is a new civil society campaign to highlight and address the harm caused by homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in Ireland.

“We also commit to writing to the Minister for Justice to enact Hate Legislation as a matter of extreme urgency.”

Following the passing of the motion, Councillor Timmons said: “I had the motion passed by South Dublin County Council elected members to amend SDCC Flag Protocol to include the trans flag to be flown every year for seven days from 31st March.

“The motion included support for the Call It Out campaign and also asked the minister to enact Hate Legislation. I am calling on all interested citizens to put in a submission to the Hate Speech Public consultation before December 13.

“It is very worrying that 77% of LGBTQ young people recently surveyed said they felt bullied in school. This is not acceptable in 2019. I also support the ‘ENOUGH’ campaign, which is an opportunity for LGBTQ communities and our allies to come together and demand an inclusive and equal society that celebrates all LGBTQ identities.

“I believe that all LGBTQ people should be free to express their gender identity and sexuality; however, they choose, without fear of discrimination or hate. We have come a long way post the decimalisation with Marriage Equality, Gender Recognition, the Child and Family relationship bill but we have a lot of work to do to ensure that no one feels hated or bullied in our new inclusive modern Republic”.

© 2019 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.

South Dublin is getting a rainbow crosswalk

Proposed by Councillor Francis Timmons, SDCC have reached an agreement to begin work on a rainbow crosswalk in South Dublin in a move to promote equality.

NEWS22 NOVEMBER, 2021. WRITTEN BY SAOIRSE SCHAD.

South Dublin County Council has agreed in full to commence work on a new project and symbol of equality for LGBTQ+ people; a rainbow crosswalk.

The project was proposed by Councillor Francis Timmons in a meeting on Monday, November 8, and suitable locations are now being considered by The Director of Land Use and Planning.

“I put this motion down as I feel visual reminders of LGBTQ+ community and equality are important,” Cllr Timmons, who grew up in Clondalkin, said to GCN. “I feel we are a very open council. We raise the Pride flag every year for Pride month and the Trans flag for Transgender Day of Remembrance yearly.”

“These are symbols of how far we have come as a country and send a message of acceptance and equality,” he continues. “They may not mean a lot to some but for someone struggling with their sexuality, or finding it difficult to come out, they are strong reminders of acceptance from their community. Likewise, the rainbow crosswalk can be a symbol of acceptance and equality.”

Cllr Timmons, who identifies as gay, also has a motion down for the South Dublin County Council meeting in December to call on the Department of Health to immediately review the donation of blood by GBMSM in Ireland.

“Ireland imposes harsher restrictions on gay and bi men who wish to donate blood than most other European countries,” the motion reads. “All blood donations should be based solely on individual behaviours, not gender or sexuality. We commit to sending this motion to the Minister for Health for his consideration and review.”

“I would like to send my solidarity to all members of the LGBTQ+ community,” Cllr Timmons concluded. “I would encourage everyone to live the life they are meant to live; never to be afraid to be yourself and celebrate being a member of the LGBTQ+ community. I spent a long time in the closet it’s a lonely place to be. Get involved in a campaign and use your voice to help others!”

© 2021 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.