The Equality Authority is hosting an event called Identity at the Crossroads for lesbians, gays and bisexuals with disabilities in the Erin Room, Dublin Castle on Friday June 29th at 7.30 pm as part of Gay Pride Week. Guest speakers include the Director of Outreach at the Policy, Ethics and Life Science Research Institute, Newcastle on Tyne, Tom Shakespeare. A well known broadcaster on- genetics and disability he will address the seminar with his co-author Kath Gillespie Sells of “The Sexual Politics of Disability”. Ms Gillespie-Sells was Chair of Regard an organisation for disabled lesbians and gay men in London and currently has a counselling and therapy practice for disabled people in Galway.
The Seminar will be addressed by Niall Crowley CEO, Equality Authority , Suzy Byrne, former Chair of GLEN and Declan O Keeffe a Director of the Centre of Independent Living, who are the convenors of Delicious the organisation for supporting and informing disabled lesbians, gays and bisexuals and Brian Sheehan Project Director of Gay HIV Strategies and past Director of Gay Switchboard.
“This is a unique event in the Dublin Pride Calendar with its focus on cross cutting identities. The Gay ,Lesbian and Bisexual community and the disability community are challenging society to have their needs addressed.” said EA CEO Niall Crowley. “It is important that we also look to the needs of Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals with disabilities. This is an event that is of interest across all the groups covered by our equality legislation. The international speaker and their focus on the importance of identity and multiple identities have an important relevance.” he added.
Admission to the event is free, and the event is being chaired by Donal Toolan, former broadcast journalist of the year and Co-ordinator of the Forum of People with Disabilities.
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