President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins has extended his warmest regards to the LGBTQ+ community and all of its allies as Pride 2024 begins.
In Ireland, as in many other places around the world, the month of June is LGBT Pride Month, a celebration and commemoration of LGBT pride.
In a statement shared on social media on Monday, June 3, President Higgins said: "Pride is not just a celebration. It is a powerful symbol of solidarity, collectivity, identity and resilience, offering as it does an opportunity for people of all backgrounds to come together, recognizing that our differences enrich us rather than diminish us, unite us rather than divide us."
President Michael D. Higgins has sent a message to all those who will be celebrating Pride this month and across the summer pic.twitter.com/tvEtWKV4bn
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) June 3, 2024
The President's message continued: "In Ireland, we take great pride in our commitment to diversity and inclusion. In recent years, legal obstacles have been gradually removed, many support structures have been put in place, and awareness and realisation of LGBTQ+ rights have increased significantly. As President of Ireland, I renew my previous invitations for all of our citizens to support and build on these initiatives.
"While achieving significant milestones in advancing LGBTQ+ rights has meant that notable progress has been made here in Ireland, so much more can, and must, be done if we are to craft an Ireland in which there is real equality, a society that embraces peace, justice, solidarity and equality. The fullest participation in every aspect of life in the public space must become an uncontested version of our own lives together.
"Pride is a powerful reminder of the ongoing need to safeguard hard-won achievements and for watchful resistance to new and emerging threats, discrimination, and violence.
"A real republic is one where no-one is denied respect, where all can live authentically and creatively, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, without fear of discrimination, prejudice, humiliation, or threats of any kind because of their identity. The changes that will signify this full participation in our society are the basic conditions of equality and respect.
"It must be a concern for us all the many places around the world in which those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender continue to face widespread stigma, exclusion and discrimination, be victims of oppressive laws and ill-informed social attitudes, subjected to physical attacks and extreme violence, beaten, sexually assaulted, tortured and even killed. On such matters we must never be silent.
"Pride is a time to honour and recall too the brave individuals who have paved the way for progress and to amplify the voices of those who continue to advocate for change.
"Mar Uachtarán na hÉireann, may I express my sincere gratitude to all those who have tirelessly fought, and continue to fight, for LGBTQ+ rights, whose dedication to creating a society where everyone can live authentically and without fear of judgment or discrimination has played such a crucial role in the pursuit of a more fulfilling, harmonious, just, and inclusive society.
"May I wish all those marking Pride 2024 the very best as you celebrate and embrace this wonderful festival of equality, diversity, respect, and love.
"Tréaslaím libh is gach beannacht lá is d'on todhchaí."
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