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REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE OUTHOUSE COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE SOUTH WILLIAM STREET, DUBLIN

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE OUTHOUSE COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE SOUTH WILLIAM STREET, DUBLIN 16TH APRIL 1999

I am delighted to be here with you today and I would like to express particular thanks to your Director, Patricia Carey, for her kind invitation to visit the Outhouse Community Resource Centre.

We have come a long way over the past few years as a society. There is no doubt that we have become more open, more tolerant, more accepting of the fact that diversity is to be joyfully celebrated, not resentfully feared. We are slowly starting to realise, not least because of Northern Ireland, that our measure of maturity must be the extent to which we can accept the “otherness” of people - not grudgingly, but in recognition of the fact that they too are a vital part of the rich kaleidoscope of life.

However, we still have a distance to travel as a society, particularly in respect of how we view sexual identity. Where prejudice exists, in this as in any sphere, it is born of fear, of unfamiliarity. We put labels on people and define them in terms of those labels, those stereotypes – instead of viewing them as people, as someone’s son or daughter, brother or sister. People who in many respects have the same dreams, needs, expectations and fears as everyone else. People whose sexual identity, important though this is, is just one part of who they are as individuals.

As a lawyer, I know the importance of legislation in protecting the rights of minorities and in acting as a catalyst in changing attitudes. The decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1993 was a significant advance. Further anti-discrimination legislation is in the pipeline. But I know, too, that legislation alone is never enough. So often what hurts, what makes a person feel small, slighted, frightened is a look, a word, a snub from another human being – a person whose attitudes are carried like weapons and just as effective. So attitudes too must change. That takes time more time than it takes to change a law. It is essential though to acknowledge the long journey this society has travelled and to be reassured that the journey is in the right direction.

Our aim must be to create a society in the 21st century which is truly equal, which respects and values people regardless of creed or colour, gender or sexual orientation. Not only because it is the right thing to do, but also because discrimination impoverishes our society as a whole and diminishes all of us within it – ultimately it says that some human beings are worth more than others, should have more power than others, are entitled to more space than others. Unfortunately, it consigns people to the shadows, to life only half-lived.

It is important also, that people have a place to come to where they can truly be themselves, where they can leave behind defences against the outside world. Outhouse provides this safe haven for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. It allows people to meet, exchange information, gain mutual support and build trust. It is an invaluable resource and I warmly commend and congratulate all of you who have contributed your time and energy to making this Centre a success.

Once again, I would like to thank you for inviting me here and I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavours.