Historic convictions for consensual sexual activity between gay men will be disregarded, the Government has confirmed.
The announcement by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste Micheál Martin and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee was made as part of a range of new measures to mark Pride Week.
Minister for Equality Roderic O’Gorman also confirmed that conversion therapy will be criminalised and updated his Cabinet colleagues on the development on Tuesday.
Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalised in 1993. In 2018, the Taoiseach issued a public apology to members of the community.
It was confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that those people who received convictions for consensual sex before this period will have these convictions quashed.
The Taoiseach said that Ireland has “become a proud, progressive and modern” State,
“We have made great strides to promote equality and respond to the changing needs of a diverse population,” Mr Varadkar said.
“However, we are not naive to think that LGBTQI+ people don’t continue to face significant barriers to full participation in public life.
“The Irish Government is committed to the promotion and protection of LGBTQI+ rights and we will work to better the lives of all in the Community.
“I am particularly pleased that we are now moving to disregard historic convictions for consensual sexual activity between men.
“This was a commitment I made previously and I’m really pleased this is taking a step further during Pride Week.”
Minister McEntee said “Ireland has become a much more tolerant society” 30 years after the decriminalisation of homosexuality.
“But there are many people who still feel the hurt and stigma created by the laws that criminalised consensual sexual activity between men,” she continued.
“Today marks an important moment in our efforts to exonerate those impacted by these outdated laws and address some of the lingering harms of the past.
“While we cannot undo the hurt inflicted on people who were discriminated against for simply being themselves, I do hope that today’s report brings us closer to something that can address the harm done to generations of gay and bisexual men.”
The Taoiseach and Ministers also confirmed a range of other measures to support the LGBTQI+ community.
Minister O’Gorman will bring draft laws to Government this year to criminalise the practice of conversion therapy. The definition of conversion therapy is likely to encompass practices targeted at a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity and aims to “convert” someone from homosexual to heterosexual preferences.
The Government has also confirmed €233,000 in funding to develop a new app and online platform to help people along a digital health pathway for PrEP treatment.
Further resources will also be allocated to the HIV PrEP programme to keep pace with growing demand. There are currently 13 public clinics around the country and 17 private providers. In 2022, 4,314 people were approved for PrEP.
Health Ireland will allocate €30,000 to HIV Ireland and a new garden space at its Dublin office that will be used for onsite counselling and consultation.
The National Sexual Health Strategy will be refreshed to take account of changes since the last policy was launched in 2015. This includes the introduction of marriage equality, access to terminations, free contraception for young women, several PrEP measures, and a free at-home STI testing service.
The new Hate Crime Bill will also tackle crimes against the LGBTQI+ community.
READ NEXT:
- Gardaí to start 'immediately' procuring body cams without facial recognition technology
- What is the Government's Consultative Forum on International Security Policy?
For the latest analysis and headlines, sign up to our free Politics newsletter
