The SIPTU LGBTQ members’ network marked LGBT History Month with discussions and a screening of the film ‘Did Anyone Notice Us? Gay Visibility in the Irish Media 1973-1993’ in Liberty Hall on Wednesday, 26th February.

A public debate on media representations of the LBGT community followed the screening in the Liberty Hall Theatre at 6.00 p.m.

A packed theatre heard NUJ Irish Secretary, Seamus Dooley, Gay rights activist and drag queen performer, Rory O’Neill, Director of the Women’s Studies Centre, UCD School of Social Justice, Dr. Katherine O’Donnell and Irish Times journalist, Una Mullally discuss recent controversies concerning the treatment of LGBT issues.
 
SIPTU LGBTQ members’ network activist, Rachel Mathews McKay, who chaired the debate, said:  “The debate’s theme was been provoked by the recent controversy surrounding Rory O’Neill and the exposure of homophobic sentiment in the media.
 
“The lively discussion focused on the need to encourage LGBT people to play a greater role in public discourse on issues that directly affect our lives and become more involved union activity.”
 
SIPTU Campaigns and Equality Organiser, Ethel Buckley, said: “According to the largest survey ever undertaken of gay people in Ireland conducted by the National Gay and Lesbian Federation, the number one concern of LGBT people was discrimination in the workplace.”
  
She added: “SIPTU regularly represents the interests of LGBT people, and increasingly transgender workers, in the workplace. We have an established track record in fighting discrimination in all its forms.”