Fermoy’s leadership over LGBTQI stance recognised in Europe

Fermoy has been recognised for its leadership on the topic of LGBTQI rights in the European Parliament this week, as the Parliament are set to adopt a resolution declaring the entire Union as an LGBTQI Freedom Zone.

In line with a stance taken by Fermoy last year, the European Parliament decision on opposing LGBTQI discrimination will send a ‘strong and clear signal’, according to Fianna Fáil MEP, Billy Kelleher.

“This is a welcome recognition of the progressive leadership Fermoy gave when faced with choosing to maintain its twinning relationship with the Polish town of Nowa Deba or stand up for LGBTI rights. Fermoy’s stance forced the Nowa Deba authorities to back down and rescind its declaration.

“Fermoy’s leadership on this issue is a very proud moment for Ireland. It does show that actions, even by small communities, can have an impact in combatting homophobia and transphobia on the global stage,” Kelleher said.

Speaking ahead of a debate on Wednesday and a vote in Parliament set for Thursday 11th, the motion initiated by the LGBTI Intergroup of which Kelleher is a member, will unambiguously declare that there can be zero toleration of discrimination in the Union on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Fermoy formally cut its twinning ties to the Polish town on October 20, 2020, after members of the local Fermoy community drew attention to Nowa Deba declaring themselves to be ‘free from LGBT ideology’.

“While the Union’s laws already prohibit discrimination, this is a symbolic rebuke to the Polish and Hungarian authorities, who have declared LGBTI Free Zones in their countries in an effort to scare, harass and stigmatise LGBTI citizens.

“Symbolism matters. I fully expect an overwhelming majority of MEPs to support this declaration. It should give hope to LGBQTI citizens across the Union, but especially in certain member states where national and local governments are attempting to undermine their human rights. It states quite clearly that not only do we see and hear you, we stand with you,” Kelleher said.

NO SUPPORT

Having twinned with the Polish town for 14 years, the Fermoy Twinning committee announced plans to terminate the twinning arrangement in March of last year, stating that they could not support Nowa Deba’s views on the LGBTQ+ community.

It is understood that Nowa Deba has since revoked its LGBT free stance.

“Union laws are clear. Member states that join the EU commit to upholding them. If they cannot and will not, then they must be sanctioned using the new Rule of Law mechanisms. If they continue to flagrantly breach their responsibilities under EU law, then their access to EU funds, and ultimately their membership of the Union, must be on the table.

“There are few issues that will unite all Irish MEPs, but I am confident that all 13 of us will send a very strong message this week that our Union must be a safe place for all citizens,” concluded Mr Kelleher.