Few times in my life I have experienced the degree of
#lesbophobia
I faced in the last few days in Dublin. Glorious, in all its forms, at the intersection of homophobia and misogyny.
[Rant 🧵]
As someone actively working on extreme hate speech/hate crime in Ireland + as a member of a targeted community, I’ll just say these political developments are exhausting. If there are issues with the bill you fix them at committee stage, not give up on a law that is badly needed.
We will ultimately bring down the patriarchy and change our societies, and together with the thought of the coffee I am about to prepare these are the only things that keep me going on a Monday morning.
After a good cry at my desk, I will go back to my Monday (as it wasn't enough). But please, do not leave lesbophobia and biphobia behind when talking about growing discrimination. Do not invisibilise our experiences.
The pandemic took away public spaces from everyone, so I had almost forgotten how heterosexuality comes with privileges in such situations: safety, lack of discrimination and harassment, public affection display.
Lesbophobia comes in different forms and shapes, depending on how society perceives you: as an instrument of cis-straight pleasure or a threat to conventional femininity and gendered expectations. All of these forms are equally violent and make our lives unsafe.
I am raging as I started the day feeling happy, and now I find myself ranting about the spike of lesbophobia - in line with LGBTIphobia and other forms of intolerance to fellow discriminated communities such as racialised people, Roma, Travellers, disabled people - in Ireland.
Alone, as a soft butch lesbian (= with a mild level of female masculinity, more than enough to be seen as non-conforming to what is expected from a woman), I have been looked at with disgust down the street, with people changing seats on the bus while mumbling lesbophobic slurs.
In a couple, out with a femme bisexual (=with a strong female gender expression), we have been stared at, encouraged to keep on kissing, cornered in supposedly safe spaces (a queer club) and in the street. Treated with disgust on the bus as we dared touching hands this morning.
As someone born and raised in 🇮🇹,
#italyelections
results come with hurt, sadness and fear but not as a surprise. Unlike other 🇪🇺 countries, we have never deconstructed our authoritarian history. This is what happens when you do not tackle the roots of fascism: it never leaves.
Attending this photographic exhibition organised by
@PaveePoint
as
@ICCLtweet
today. In a country with systemic intolerance towards Roman and Travellers, any reminder on how far hate against a minoritised group can go is fundamental.
60% of Travellers believe that hate crime against Travellers is a very serious problem + need for legislation to be expedited. It is key that Travellers and all communities affected by hate crime are consulted at every stage.
@ICCLtweet
@ITAJinUL
While several states have decriminalized homosexuality in 2018, Brunei has just passed a law to stone gay people to death. Unfortunately - as reminded by
@ILGAWORLD
recent map - it's only one of the countries where in 2019 consensual same-sex acts are still illegal.
The best way to tackle hate crime is to prevent hate crime from happening. Great long read today by
@PatrickFreyne1
and
@UnaMullally
, thanks for featuring myself as
@ICCLtweet
and other members of the coalition against hate crime.
#Greece
’s Parliament took a key step this week to protect the
#humanrights
of
#intersex
children, incl. by banning non urgent or medically unnecessary surgeries on children <15 yrs old.
Greece is the 5th
@coe
state with such a law and I encourage all others to follow suit.
#IGM
1️⃣ Sì - La bisessualità esiste.
2️⃣ No - Bisessualità non vuol dire essere indecisi tra uomini e donne bensì un vero e proprio orientamento sessuale.
3️⃣ Sì - La bifobia esiste ed è da condannare quanto l'omotransfobia.
#BiVisibilityDay
#BiProud
The amount of hate under this tweet on a campaign led and supported by communities that are daily targets of hate crime reminds me of why we do what we do, for everyone, to feel safer in this country and beyond.
Effective hate crime legislation sends a message as a society that hate crimes are not tolerated. But we must go beyond criminal law. Sign the
#StandByMe
petition to add your voice to the call for a National Action Plan to tackle the roots of hate
As someone actively working on extreme hate speech/hate crime in Ireland + as a member of a targeted community, I’ll just say these political developments are exhausting. If there are issues with the bill you fix them at committee stage, not give up on a law that is badly needed.
Yesterday I had the pleasure to moderate (as
@LGBTcoe
) a fruitful discussion on the impact of
#COVID19
on LGBTI+ asylum seekers in Europe with key representatives of academia and civil society. Thanks to
@QueerEuroAsylum
and
@mengiatschalaer
for organising it!
"Do you ever talk about anything else other than Traveller racism? "
Yes but because Traveller racism is so normalised in our country I need to keep shouting into the void until Travellers do not experience
#Racism
from birth til death.
Today I feel powerless as a woman, as a member of the LGBTI+ community and as a human rights advocate. Members of minoritised communities - including queer, racialised, disabled, non-catholic people, women - will most likely pay the highest price.
#italyelections
My first engagement with 🇺🇳 UN treaty bodies 🇺🇳 came to an end. A fantastic opportunity to advocate for equality and tackling hate crime/speech on behalf of
@ICCLtweet
backed up by 37 other endorsing organisations. Grazie to my country of adoption, Ireland 🇮🇪.
#HRCtee
#ICCPR
🗣🗯
@DoireannAnsbro
and I are voicing our recommendations on how 🇮🇪 can better protect and advance human rights under
#ICCPR
to
#HRCtee
. Our submission - endorsed by 37 organisations - covers:
▪️equality & hate crime
▪️police & justice reform
▪️digital & data
▪️civil society
Back to Italy after
@SCI_Belfast
#SCIConv19
. Still inspired by all the participants' activism and looking for the next occasion to strengthen our work with/for
#humanrights
.
Hate crimes are message crimes: they tell communities they're not welcome. As a Coalition, we are working to give Ireland the best hate crime legislation possible. Why is it important? My morning chat w/
@morningireland
🔊 Nobody is safe until we're all safe.
Thank you
@itmtrav
@Love1solidarity
for organising a briefing to highlight why and how upcoming legislation is key to address extreme hate speech against Travellers. Happy to have represented the Coalition Against Hate Crime that is united in supporting the passage of the Bill.
A recent article on
@IrishTimes
suggests that community leaders don’t want the hate crime bill. 20+ members of coalition against hate crime are strong in saying
▪️YES we want legislation + wider holistic approach
▪️NO we are not happy the way things are
Dublin is hosting the 2022
@PILnet
#PILnetGlobalForum
. I’ll be around today and tomorrow as
@ICCLtweet
to reflect on how law firms, legal clinics and NGOs can effectively work together for equity-grounded/led change.
Now at
#IEBrussels2018
@leilazadeh
presenting
@UKLGIG
research on Home Office decision-making in lgbtqi+ asylum claims. Even if emprovements were noted in the interview process, UK still has several bad practices with regard to eg delayed claims.
Front row to Ireland’s review under
#ICESCR
. In coordination with other civil society organisations,
@ICCLtweet
has briefed Committee members to ensure we obtain strong concluding observations to advance economic, social and cultural rights. NGOs are vital in this process.
Why do we need to talk about Lgbti asylum seekers in Europe? Here is an example. This is only one of the several cases of stereotypes and prejudices applied during the Refugee Status Determination.
The new incitement to hatred and hate crime bill is making its way through the Oireachtas. 4th stage today, an opportunity to show unity as Coalition Against Hate Crime. Now to the Seanad.
The Hate Crime Bill was passed by the Dáil this evening by an overwhelming majority. Next stop the Seanad.
Delighted to be in the Dáil gallery to witness the debate with colleagues from the Coalition Againist Hate Crime
@adamlong80
&
@LunaLiboni
.
Digital Campaign workshop hosted by
@SCI_Belfast
and
@TheEPIM
(day 2). Fantastic opportunity to keep up and learn from other campaigners around Europe. Happy to be here for
@Cild2014
.
Being part of the
@SCI_Belfast
community is such an enriching opportunity. In this video I say a couple of words on the mentoring programme I'm currently part of and on my daily work with
@Cild2014
.
🇺🇳International human rights and engagement with treaty bodies can seem complex and intimidating🇺🇳
Here's a PRACTICAL GUIDE to the
#HRCtee
review of
#ICCPR
(based on the 🇮🇪 review happening *now*)
#HumanRightsIreland
#ICCPRIreland
Day 2 of Ireland’s review under
#ICESCR
. Key rights under scrutiny today including housing, heath and education. Committee members are taking on board questions suggested by
@ICCLtweet
and other CSOs as they dialogue with the State. Frustration on many of the answers provided.
Timely discussion on SOGIESC-based hate crime across Europe hosted by
@LGBTcoe
@IrishRepCoE
on the day of the announcement of publication of 🇮🇪 hate crime legislation. Here as
@ICCLtweet
and Coalition against Hate crime to contribute to civil society perspective.
#noLGBTIhate
In Italia i rifugiati Lgbti incontrano una serie di ostacoli specifici sia durante la richiesta di protezione che nella fase successiva. Tuttavia, il nostro paese è anche esportatore di buone pratiche a livello europeo. Ne parlo su
@open_migration
.
The Incitement to Hatred / Hate Crime Bill is back in the Oireachtas today. Legislation cannot be further delayed and we need to be ready for its full implementation. We also need a serious human and financial investment in non-criminal measures.
#hatecrimeshurtusall
Today the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence of Hatred and Hate Offences Bill) 2022 will be examined by the Oireachtas Justice Committee.
After years of campaigning for legislation, we in the Coalition Against Hate Crime strongly welcome this Bill.
Cork LGBTI+ Awareness Week begins: a programme of events to mark
#IDAHOBIT
, check it out on and join us in creating an inclusive city - a city of welcome for all!
Tina was an incredible trans rights advocate and - as it not so often occurs - an incredibly nice person to work with. Their wisdom, knowledge and their ability to always see the bigger picture will be missed by everyone working for a better Ireland and Europe. Me included.
ICCL is saddened to hear of the passing of Tina Kolos Orban, former
@TENI_Tweets
Director. Tina was an outstanding trans rights advocate, a pleasure to work with and will be deeply missed. Our sincerest condolences to their family, colleagues and community.
Rest in power ,Tina.
Just to say
@OlgaCronin
is doing incredible work on Facial Recognition Technology, voicing concerns on how a new bill introducing FRT in policing violates a set of rights (eg non-discrimination, privacy). Or how she says, even just the right to be a face in the crowd.
This week, ICCL's
@OlgaCronin
and
@Tupp_Ed
went before the Dáil Justice Committee to talk about the bill to introduce FRT in Irish policing.
Watch Simon explain how the proposed power would result in a seismic shift in the surveillance capabilities of
@GardaTraffic
👇
Thinking about my last taxi ride to Dublin airport. I usually use gender-neutral language when referring to my gf with strangers (safety mechanism) but a "she" slipped. Hoping it went unnoticed, at T1 my driver gave me a big smile and said "happy Xmas to you and your gf".Oh boy🥲
A must read to understand what is still going on in the Mediterranean, despite the efforts to criminalise search and rescue operations. Great piece by
@jadeswilson
in Lampedusa.
Ho avuto il piacere di parlare all'ultima edizione del festival sulle migrazioni organizzato da
@BaobabExp
. Oggi su
@open_migration
il racconto di questa grande esperienza di accoglienza conosciuta a livello internazionale. Buon compleanno!
Roma continua a non avere un piano accoglienza, ma Baobab Experience sfama e aiuta centinaia di persone.
A pochi giorni dal suo terzo compleanno, raccontiamo
@BaobabExp
con
@EleonoraCamilli
e le foto di
@FedericaMameli
.
With a bit of delay as I am not around Twitter very often anymore - Had a fabulous time at the
@nxfie
@TheGalas
on Saturday surrounded by friends, colleagues, community and changemakers. Proud of
@ICCLtweet
confirming its commitment to active allyship - what's my people! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
The last
#ICCPR
review in Geneva is an example of successful cooperation between the 🇮🇪 NHRI (national human rights institution)
@_IHREC
and CSOs (civil society organisations). You can catch up with their report and review some of the key
#HRCtee
recs here.
UN
#ICCPR
concluding obs for Ireland are out, including recommendations for state action on a number of areas including hate crime, historic abuse, racism, discrimination, gender, refugees, institutions and trafficking.
@_IHREC
statement available here
L'accordo UE-Turchia presume che quest'ultima sia un "paese sicuro" per i rifugiati. Ciò ha serie conseguenze sulla vita dei richiedenti asilo LGBTI che transitano e vivono nel paese. Quali? Ne ho scritto su
@open_migration
.
Listening to the State in Geneva talk about high standard for housing and healthcare, you would think they live in a different country we do. Particularly challenging to hear while being part of the LGBT community (trans healthcare now) and with Traveller colleagues.
#ICESCR
Cambiare la narrazione del fenomeno migratorio (e non solo) in Italia è possibile? Spoiler: io credo proprio di sì. Un grande in bocca al lupo a
@thegoodlobbyit
@BalcaniCaucaso
e
@Cild2014
per questo progetto in cui ho creduto molto, fin dall'inizio.
The new National Action Plan Against Racism was published today after 15 years since the last one.
@LeoVaradkar
recognised need for Government to have a leading role,
@rodericogorman
announced new special rapporteur. It’s now time to address systemic and institutional racism.
Dublin born and raised girlfriend brought me on a Dublin culinary delights tour yesterday (batter sausage and milkshake not displayed but been there done that) and I feel my life is not the same. Garlic cheese chips and O’Connell st donuts for the win.
Proudly sharing the stage of the
@EuroLesbianCon
“Lesbian Resistance” conference with fellow Italian lesbians. United we are, standing against fascism. Ora e sempre. 🇮🇹✊🏻🏳️🌈
Give Ireland hate crime and incitement to hatred legislation and tackle the roots of hate with comprehensive measures to ensure all communities feel safe. That’s pretty much what I’ll tell the
#HRCtee
in Geneva for
#iccpr
review. And that’s what you can read on the
@IrishTimes
.
Looking forward to speaking at this key conference tomorrow on the unprecedented opportunity Ireland has to tackle hate crime through legislative and other means. Will listen communities, academics and other experts' inputs on best approaches and practices.
#hatecrimeshurtusall
TOMORROW & THURSDAY
Civil Society and Academia Collaboration in Combating Anti-LGBTQ Hate Crime
Where: L013 (Moot Court) Sutherland Building, UCD
When: Wed, 24 May 2023 10:00 - Thu, 25 May 2023 17:30 IST
Organiser:
@alexkondor
(
@ucdsociology
)
Oggi si svolge
#LGBTpeopleatwork
,
incontro annuale organizzato da
@parksdiversity
tra aziende, professionisti e istituzioni riuniti per confrontarsi sulle migliori pratiche di
#diversitymanagement
.
Perché le persone
#LGBT
siano libere di essere, anche sul luogo di lavoro.
We had a super day connecting with many of our member organisations yesterday. 🏳️⚧️
Together we are working to create an Ireland where trans and non-binary people are equal, safe and valued.
Proud to be part of Trans Equality Together coalition, launched today, as
@ICCLtweet
. Unfortunately cannot be there in person but following the livestream here: .
Against transphobia, today as every day.
@transeqtogether
Happy for and proud of having given my small contribution to the
@WFDemocracy
. Lab 3 I moderated (one of initiatives shortlisted, yes!) focused on history and the power of owning narratives. If democracy is a verb - quoting a speaker - let’s democracy then.
Shoutout to the
@IrishCentreHR
, where the human rights journey and 🇮🇪 adoption process started. If you want to pursue a human rights career, this is the place to get your degree.
Despite the attempts of the far-right to cancel us, we are here to stay. Today is the day in which we need to stay united, listen to Bella Ciao on repeat, and work for the change we want to see in a country that does not represent us. Ora e sempre, resistenza.
#italyelections
The most effective way of tackling hate crime is preventing hate crime from happening. Thanks
@GCNmag
for the chat on the upcoming legislation and on why this is only the first key step towards change. Full piece:
Got my 🇮🇪 job 2y ago, one of the first things I did was to compile a list of Irish names I didn’t know how to pronounce. Asked a colleague to sit down with me for 5 minutes, used YouTube videos as support,practices. Basic respect for people/culture/history, if you ask me.
SAVE THE DATE - Venerdì saremo al Cassero LGBTI center di Bologna per parlare delle problematiche specifiche affrontate dai migranti e richiedenti asilo LGBTIQ+ in Italia e nell'Unione Europea. Tutte le informazioni sul come iscriversi al seminario in locandina. Vi aspettiamo!
Thank you so much
@KarSugrue
and thank you
@together_safety
for the inputs provided to the Shadow report! Far from being a HR hero but feels good to receive support on a social that has gotten us used to hate! ❤️
Among the most impacted by the pandemic are the
#LGBTI
refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.
#COVID
ー19 exacerbated pre-existing issues and created new ones. I discussed this with key activists and academics in Europe, and the panel is now available online.
#WorldRefugeeDay
Council of Europe Equality, Minorities & Inclusion
🎬 🦠 🏳️🌈
#WorldRefugeeDay2020
: What is the impact of COVID-19 on LGBTI refugees in Europe? The panel "A European Perspective on COVID-19 and Queer Asylum" is now available online.
#WolrdRefugeeDay
“Welcome to Ireland” is the incipit of the new
@ICCLtweet
@IrishRefugeeCo
KYR guide to international protection applicants. The guide (✍️ by
@drlucymichael
team) aims at responding to real concerns that emerged during consultations
@masi_asylum
. Supported/hosted by
@_IHREC
.
Ogni anno circa 10mila richiedenti asilo
#LGBTI
raggiungono l'
#UE
scappando da persecuzioni perpetuate spesso da chi è a loro più vicino (comunità e famiglia). Arrivando in UE, ciò può non essere abbastanza per essere al sicuro. Ne parlo su
@open_migration
.
The solidarity between the Muslim and the LGBT community in 🇮🇪 shows that as groups targeted by
#hatecrime
, we are stronger together. Don’t you dare trying to put us one against the other, exploiting our identities to reinforce the status quo. Legislate and educate now.
"
#HateCrimesHurtUsAll
" is the new
@ICCLtweet
led joint campaign of the Coalition Against Hate Crime Ireland. Hate crimes are message crimes that impact individuals, communities, societies. Today we stood together to say that we need to tackle the roots of hate.