Fórsa’s Equality network will hold a seminar in Nerney’s Court on Wednesday 27th November 2024 from 2pm to 5pm to formally mark the establishment of the Fórsa LGBTQI+ network, and launch ‘Trade Unions and Progress, a personal history’ by Kieran Rose. 

Ahead of this, Fórsa will soon conduct a survey to gain a more comprehensive understanding of LGBTQI+ members' experiences, both in and out of the workplace. This will be emailed to members in the coming days.

The trade union movement has long been a shining light of support for LGBTQI+ people and has been instrumental in battling discrimination and fighting for equality for the LGBTQI+ community. 

In 1982 LGPSU activist Kieran Rose brought a motion to an ICTU conference supporting the decriminalisation of homosexual acts on the basis of equality, and calling for equality legislation. This was the first motion if its kind, thus sparking hard fought trade union campaigns, spanning decades, which further improved the rights of LGBTQI+ people. 

Over 40 years later, earlier this year, at Fórsa’s biennial Conference in May, delegates voted overwhelmingly in favour of a motion proposed by the Galway Health and Local Government branch, instructing the incoming National Executive committee to establish a LGBTQI+ network to support all members and staff who identify as a member of the LGBTQI+ community. This event will formally launch that network.

If you would like to attend, you seek nomination from their branch and register their attendance here.

Places are limited and branches will be facilitated on a first come first serve basis. Early registration is encouraged. 

If you require any further information, please contact Róisín McKane at rmckane@forsa.ie. 

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