Lord Mayor Cllr Colm Kelleher raised the Rainbow flag over Cork City Hall to signal the opening of LGBTI+ Awareness Week 2022 in Cork and at the formal launch welcomed the participation of City and County groups in challenging homophobia, lesbo-phobia, transphobia and bi-phobia.
Welcoming the large attendance including Deputy Mayor Cllr Audrey Buckley, Bishop Paul Colton, Cork City Councillors and the many representatives of Public Agencies present he said everyone has a role to play in challenging hatred and prejudice.
Commenting on IDAHOBIT - International Day Against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia he said "It's a hard phrase to say but its even harder when you're faced with the reality of what these terms mean as I was myself when attending the recent vigil following the murders of Michael Snee and Aidan Moffitt in the Peoples' Park. This is why our city is proud to support LGBTI+ Awareness Week"
He also acknowledged the work of the LGBTI+ InterAgency Group in keeping the city focussed on achieving and making real the ambition that the Cork becomes a safe harbour for all, especially LGBTI+ communities : a city that is welcoming of diversity, recognises difference and accommodates these in an inclusive way.
Special tributes were paid to Tony Power RIP, long standing member of the LGBTI+ Interagency group who died suddenly last year including memorial presentation plaques to Tony's daughters: Aedín and Alison,; his partner Siobhán and his colleagues in the Community section of Cork City Council.
Choral Con Fusion longstanding allies of LGBTI+ Week
in their first public performance since Covid lockdown moved everyone with their renditions of Stand by Me and Northern Lights .
The Lord Mayor unveiled a new Rainbow Glass Balustrade on the plaza of the Civic Offices, a signal statement of City Council's commitment to LGBTI+ Inclusion and their determination to work with all public services, communities and LGBTI+ NGOs to achieve this and with the Rainbow Cities Network.
Siobhán O'Dowd , chair of Cork LGBTI+ Interagency group warmly thanked the large audience in attendance for their participation and support over many years and said how important it is to have visible symbols like the Flag and the Rainbow installation at the Plaza.
