Conference to discuss social exclusion among LGBT community
A conference highlighting discrimination and exclusion towards the gay community will take place in Dublin today.
The first event of its kind is hoping to highlight the difficulties faced and the problems that exist for many in same sex relationships.
The event is organised by the National Lesbian & Gay Federation (NLGF) in conjunction with Dublin City Council Social Inclusion Unit and The Community Foundation for Ireland.
"The focus of this conference isn't actually on marriage equality, even though that's particularly important," said event organiser Ciarán Ó hUltacháin.
"It's actually to focus on some of those other issues that in some ways have fallen off the media's attention, because of the marriage equality issue."
The conference will also act as a platform for LGBT organisations and anti-poverty/community development organisations to discuss solutions to address poverty and inequality amongst LGBT people.
The keynote international guest is Polish MP Anna Grodzka, a campaigner for LGBT rights.
Mr Ó hUltacháin said exclusion is a reality for the LGBT community in Ireland, especially those living in rural areas.
"In major cities and in Dublin it's much easier than it was," he said.
"In rural areas - in Leitrim or in Dundalk or in Carlow or in Cavan - it can still be very very challenging to be lesbian or gay, and especially for transgender people in those areas.
