Vigil for Aidan Moffitt, Michael Snee and all victims of homophobic and transphobic violence

A MESSAGE FROM DUBLIN PRIDE

It is 40 years since the murders of two gay men in Dublin, Charles Self and Declan Flynn, led to the birth of our organisation and the following year, the first Dublin Pride Parade.

During those past 40 years we have worked tirelessly to make Ireland a safer, more inclusive, and kinder place. Not just for our own LGBTQ+ community, but for all marginalised communities.

In the words of President Michael D Higgins “Pride has helped change the laws and constitution of Ireland, as well as the hearts and minds of many of our citizens.”

We are not prepared to let our work be undone.

We are not prepared to see the progress the people of Ireland have made in the past 4 decades be undone.

We are not prepared to accept homophobia, transphobia, racism, or any form of discrimination.

We are not prepared to see our country as anything other than safe, inclusive, and kind and we are not prepared to stop until we achieve that goal.

We call upon all communities in Ireland to join us in condemning hate in any form and to actively join our march towards a better future.

We as a community are in pain, we are angry, we are afraid and many of us are feeling powerless right now.

We have been here before, and we know exactly what to do.

We are going to come together and share our grief, we are going to remember and honour Aidan Moffitt, Michael See and all victims of homophobic and transphobic violence.

We are going to remind ourselves that together we are powerful and harness the emotions we’re experiencing to create something positive.

We are going to stand Proud.

In solidarity with our Pride community in Sligo and working with our LGBTQI+ sector partners, we will also hold a vigil this Friday, April 15th, at 6pm at Dáil Éireann (Kildare Street) for Aidan Moffitt, Michael Snee and all victims of homophobic and transphobic violence.