Cork City

Picture: Michael O’Sullivan /OSM PHOTO

Policy

Objective 86 ‘Imagine our Future’ Cork City Development Board Integrated Plan 2002 – 2012 – “The gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities will be enabled to fully participate in the social, cultural, and economic life of the city”  

Goal

Cork City Local Economic and Community Plan 2016 – 2021, Actions 7.6, 7.7 and 7.8

“Promote LGBT equality in Cork City; Continue to promote and support delivery of LGBT Awareness Week amongst Public Sector bodies and State Agencies; Continue to develop links with Cork Pride and deliver an LGBT festival annually.”

Cork City Local Economic and Community Plan 2024 -2029, Actions 2.3.3 and 1.5.2

“Support the LGBTI+ community through its strong and robust community and voluntary organisations and encourage policy development from a rights-based perspective across agencies. To lead on and encourage an all-island approach to Irish cities membership of the Rainbow Cities Network.”

“Support HSE Campuses and services to become LGBTI friendly through allyship training and LGBTI programmes.”

For how long has there been a specific LGBT inclusive policy?

Since 2002 and updated in 2016 and 2024 in Cork City’s Local Economic & Community Plan

Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Focus Areas

  • 2002: The Cork City LGBTI+ Interagency was established. Since then, the interagency have been delivering the annual LGBTI+ Awareness Week coinciding with IDAHOBIT. Cork City Council are the only Local Authority in Ireland to run an annual LGBTI+ Awareness Week.
  • 2006: Cork City’s first Pride parade was held. It has grown year on year to a week-long festival of events.
  • 2012: Cork City Council become the first local authority in the State to officially support marriage equality, after it unanimously passed a motion it.
  • 2014: Cork City Council was the first City and public building in Ireland to fly the Rainbow Flag
  • 2014: Cork City Council were the first Council to support a motion on Marriage Equality
  • 2015: Ireland is the first country in the world to democratically vote for same sex marriage
  • 2015: Establishes the Gender Recognition Act 2015. Trans people in Ireland can apply to have their preferred gender legally recognised by the State
  • 2020: Cork City is the first and only city on the island of Ireland to have become a member of the International Rainbow Cities Network, who pledge to protect and enhance LGBTI+ rights and inclusion. 
  • 2022: Cork City Council was the first local authority in Ireland to install a Rainbow Balustrade at the entrance to Cork City Hall. In the same year, we worked with the LGBTI+ Interagency and Cork Pride to install two Rainbow Crossings on Patrick Street, Cork’s main shopping street
  • 2023: Cork City hosted the RCN EU for Citizens Policy Conference. This led to the publication of the RCN LGBTIQ Good Practice Guidelines for cities. Cork was one of 20 European Cities participating in this policy working group over two years of development.
  • 2023: In July 2023, Cork City delegates were invited by our sister city Cologne to participate in their annual Pride Festival.
  • 2024: Two Korean ‘Marriage for All’ Activists are due to visit Cork City Council on Monday 9th September to learn about Ireland’s transition from a conservative to open and liberal society, legally and socially. 
  • 2025: Cork City Council is the first local authority to hire a LGBTI+ Social Inclusion Development Officer on the island of Ireland.

Municipal sectors/services involved

Cork City Council Elected members, Cork City Council Executive and Corporate, Community and Cultural Affairs Directorate (Community Team)

Collaboration with advocacy / interest groups

The Gay Project, LINQ Ireland, CESCA, Sexual Health Centre, The Gender Rebels

Collaboration with social and/or health-care and welfare organisations

HSE Cork Kerry Community Health Care and HSE Social Inclusion Dept, Department of Social Protection, TUSLA (Child and Family Agency), Cork City Partnership – Local Development Company.

Other collaboration partners

Cork Education & Training Board, An Garda Siochana (Police Service), Cork City Libraries, The Defence Forces (Naval Service)

Which parties will implement the policy?

Cork City LGBTI+ Interagency Group a consortium of all relevant agencies and stakeholders reporting to the Local Community Development Committee of Cork City Council.