Dignity and pride for LGBT youth

Within months of taking up her position in 2004 Ombudsman for Children Emily Logan came to visit LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) young people at BeLonG To. I remember being struck by her warmth, her humility and the ease with which she spoke about LGBT issues. Ten years ago not many official figures displayed these qualities. Being young and LGBT was still taboo for many adults and too many children and young people were suffering as a result. We were just setting out on our mission to end homophobic bullying and LGBT youth invisibility in Ireland and Emily and her office were immediately on board and shining a bright spotlight on the real lives of Irish LGBT young people in a way that we couldn’t have done ourselves.

Over the next decade the Ombudsman for Children’s Office became an incredible advocate for LGBT young people. Emily launched our first Stand Up! Don’t Stand for Homophobic or Transphobic Bullying campaign and hosted numerous BeLonG To events at her offices. Herself and her office also ensured that LGBT young people’s voices were included on her advisory panel and in many vital and influential reports, including her report on school-based bullying which had a significant impact on the Department of Education and Skills first national Action Plan on Bullying – a plan which foregrounds work to combat homophobic bullying.

The Ombudsman for Children’s work with us and LGBT young people has been both about publicly normalising LGBT youth identity through events and publications, and about affecting serious policy change. This policy work can be seen in the office’s reports and most recently in their advice to the Minister for Social Protection on the need for the new Gender Recognition Bill to include under 18-year-old Trans people. This advice was taken up by an Oireachtas Committee and has resulted in legislation that will better protect a particularly marginalised group of young people.

Here is Andy Mannion from BeLonG To to explain what the OCO’s work has meant to him: “As a transgender young man I realise and understand the many issues young people and children like myself can face. The crux of many of these issues is invisibility and ignoring what us young people have to say. Currently the process for Ireland gaining gender recognition is under way. However, from report to recommendation, to the draft heads of Bill, Trans and Intersex young people under the age of 18 have been continuously excluded from accessing this basic human right.

“However, the Ombudsman for Children’s Office support has finally helped give a voice to young Trans and Intersex people. Their support, endorsement and recommendations have been a clear stepping-stone, informing not only the young people who this legislation will affect but the stakeholders too.

“The OCO have helped bring the rights of Trans and Intersex young people to the fore of the gender recognition debate. The OCO have empowered not only the young people from BeLonG To but all Trans and Intersex young people and children. Thanks to their support, we are finally being heard”