June is Pride month, a time to celebrate and call for continued progress for LGBTQIA+ rights. Though our union has a proud history of campaigning for equality, we are firmly focused on the future. In the past year, we launched our LGBTQIA+ network, produced a print run of Kieran Rose’s publication Trade Unions and Progress for LGBT People, and most recently we had a stand at every Fórsa divisional conference. This June we have several events of interest to members, detailed below. 

Trade Unions & Marriage Equality: A Labour of Love 

To mark the 10th anniversary of the passing of the Marriage Equality referendum in 2015 — and the role of the trade union movement in that campaign — an event featuring a panel discussion will take place in Connolly Hall and Cois Life Bar, Liberty Hall, on 17th June 2025, from 18:30 to 20:00. 

Karl Hayden (Financial Services Union) will chair the discussion, which will feature a number of trade union and LGBTQ+ activists reflecting on the movement’s pivotal role in the referendum. 

Panellists: 

• Seamus Dooley – National Union of Journalists (NUJ) 
• Ethel Buckley – SIPTU 
• Kieran Rose – LGPSU (precursor to Fórsa) Trade Unionist and LGBTQ+ Activist 
• Rachel Mathews McKay – SIPTU LGBT 

Refreshments will be served, and attendance is free of charge. Early booking is advised: registration linked here.

Join us at Pride 

Fórsa’s LGBTQIA+ network is inviting members to march with their union at Pride marches across Ireland this summer. Kicking off in Dublin on Saturday 28th June, we’ll also be at Trans and Intersex Pride in Dublin on Saturday 12th July, followed by Cork Pride on Sunday 3rd August, and finally Galway Pride on Saturday 16th August. 

Member of the LGBTQIA+ network steering committee Danni Hickey said “While we know many members will be used to marching at Pride with friends, voluntary groups, or their employers, we want all members to know they’re welcome to stand with their union. Last year was the first time we marched at Pride with our own union banner, and we’re excited to do so again this year, right around Ireland.” 

If you would like to join your union at any of the Pride marches listed above, please complete this form so that we can communicate further details with you. 

Lunch & Learn with LGBT Ireland 

Our Skills Academy runs a monthly Lunch & Learn for members.  On Friday 27th June, the session will be focused on how to support our LGBTQIA+ colleagues. This talk will cover the history of pride and will give valuable insights into the current experiences of LGBTQIA+ people.  

Participants will gain a clear understanding of LGBTQIA+ terminology and receive practical tools to help make their own workplace more inclusive, one small impactful step at a time. To top it all off, the session will conclude with a 15-minute judgement-free Q&A. This is an event you won’t want to miss this Pride month! 

The training will be provided by Lenn Viken (they/them) who works as a trainer with LGBT Ireland and has been engaged in queer activism, education and politics across Norway, France and Ireland for close to a decade. 

With substantial experience in community-based LGBTQIA+ education, municipal politics and public speaking, Lenn is motivated by their passion for fighting structural issues through inclusive and non-judgemental knowledge diffusion and discussion. Holding a bachelor's degree in Gender and Equality from Sciences Po Paris and currently pursuing a master's degree at Trinity College Dublin, Lenn is excited to spend the rest of their career working to promote minority rights and inclusion in Ireland and abroad.  

To register follow this link here.

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