GEC meets lawmakers in Dublin to discuss HIV targets and LGBT+ progress

The Global Equality Caucus has met with legislators and civil society champions in Dublin to discuss policy priorities for LGBT+ equality and HIV healthcare equity, as part of an official visit to the Republic of Ireland.

Andrew Slinn, GEC Head of Operations, had a bilateral meeting with Senator Jerry Buttimer at Leinster House, the seat of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament).

Senator Buttimer - who serves as Cathaoirleach of the Seanad (Presiding Officer of the Senate) and sits on GEC’s Steering Committee - reported encouraging progress in Ireland on LGBT+ inclusion but pointed to several areas for improvement, which will take a concerted effort from legislators to address.

A key issue highlighted in the meeting was a delay to the introduction of a bill to ban conversion practices, which is now not expected to be published until 2025 due to ongoing discussions over the bill’s content.

Cathaoirleach Jerry Buttimer (L) meeting GEC Head of Operations Andrew Slinn (R)

Also discussed was the inequity in healthcare access across Ireland, which is impacting how LGBT+ people use HIV prevention services. Capacity issues mean there is a long waiting list to access PrEP, and there is uneven coverage between urban and rural areas regarding services such as HIV testing and specialised healthcare for trans people.

GEC has worked with lawmakers to advocate for a dedicated National HIV Action Plan in Ireland, with policy recommendations currently falling under the broader National Sexual Health Strategy. This Strategy has not been updated since 2015, but assurances have been made that the Government’s response to a 2022 review will be published imminently.

GEC also joined a roundtable with Senator Buttimer, Senator Fintan Warfield, Senator Malcolm Byrne, and Oireachtas EDI Officer Roisin Deery, to discuss policy goals for Ireland’s national LGBT+ parliamentary caucus - including progress on the conversion practices ban and more visible advocacy for improvements in the HIV response.

(L-R) HIV Ireland Executive Director Stephen O’Hare, Project Coordinator Rebecca de Havilland, MPower Coordinator Andrew Shannon; GEC Head of Operations Andrew Slinn

There was also an opportunity for GEC to meet with staff at HIV Ireland - one of the largest HIV-focused non-governmental organisations in the country - to learn about their work delivering community-based HIV services, as well as hear their main policy asks for GEC to highlight to legislators.

HIV Ireland offers a wide range of services to improve access to HIV prevention, including diversified testing provision such as self-testing kits and mobile testing; a dedicated programme, MPower, to work with gay and bi men on educational outreach and interventions such as rapid testing in bars and clubs; and mental health support including counselling services.

With capacity issues hindering delivery of tools such as PrEP, it is important for the Government to continue funding community-based providers to ensure the diverse availability of prevention options.

An upcoming general election - due to be called by February 2025 - provides an opportunity for the next administration to recommit to HIV targets and lay out an ambitious agenda for LGBT+ equality.