2023
UCC to mark International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
- This year's theme is 'Together always: United in diversity' which recognises and respects diverse identities to secure human rights and choices for all
University College Cork (UCC) will host events to mark International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB). It is a day to celebrate sexual and gender diversity and to condemn the discrimination, violence and stigma that members of LGBTQIA+ communities continue to experience in Ireland and globally.
The theme for IDAHOTB 2023 – ‘Together always: united in diversity’ - reminds us that it is crucial to recognise the power of solidarity, community, and allyship across different identities, movements and borders, particularly in a time where the progress made by LGBTQIA+ communities worldwide is increasingly at risk.
Members of the public, UCC students and staff are invited to:
Launch of UCC Proud Ally campaign
UCC Graduate Attributes Programme (GAP) will officially launch the Proud Ally Student campaign on 17 May.
Inspired by the work of the UCC LGBT+ Staff Network’s Rainbow Alliance, GAP will launch a proud Ally network for students on International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. The website will host information and digital assets on becoming a Proud Ally to the LGBTQ+ community and aims to educate students about what LGBTQ+ allyship is. Visit this link to join the event.
UCC aims to support students in becoming respectful, compassionate, socially responsible, and effective global citizens who advocate for their LGBTQ+ peers. The campaign has been created with the support of the LGBT+ Staff Network, Cork Work with Pride, UCC LGBTQ+ student society and the UCC SU.
'Free to be Me': Listening to lesbians seeking asylum in the UK
Jane Traies in conversation with Collette O’Regan
On 18 May, Jane Traies, author and researcher, will share insights into her work exploring oral history and ethnographic work with lesbian refugees and asylum seekers. In conversation with Collette O’Regan, LGBT Ireland, Jane will address the importance of stories of LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers, experiences of biphobia and exclusionism and stories of queer kinship.
Hosted by UCC LGBT Staff Network and UCC Department of Applied Social Studies, the event will take place on Thursday, 18 May at 12.30pm in the Schtepps, the Hub, UCC. Everyone is welcome.
Mary O’Rourke, UCC LGBT Staff Network, said: “In a world growing increasingly intolerant, it is essential to mark IDAHBIT. 76% of LGBTQ+ students feel unsafe at school and 1 in 3 LGBTQ+ students have skipped school to avoid negative treatment due to being LGBTQ+. This year’s theme calls for our LGBTI+ communities and all allies to stand together, united in diversity.”
The UCC events are part of Cork LGBT+ Awareness Week 2023 organised by Cork’s LGBTI+ InterAgency Group which has representation from all public agencies, LGBT+ NGOs and community representatives.
View the full programme of Cork LGBT+ Awareness Week events.