Cork mourns with Sligo
By Katie O'Keeffe
A vigil was held in Cork City last Monday evening in remembrance of the two gay men who were murdered in Sligo in separate attacks this week.
The remains of Aidan Moffitt were found at his home on Monday evening, while Michael Snee’s body was found on Tuesday night. 22 year old Yousef Palani with an address at Markiewicz Heights in Sligo has been charged with their murders.
The vigil organised by Gay Project, LINC and Cork Pride was also in solidarity with the Irish LGBTQ+ community. Member of the community and Cork City Council Labour Councillor John Maher spoke at the vigil: “Hearing the stories following Michael’s and Aidan’s murder from members of our community, it's clear that while we have come a long way, we still have a road to travel.”
He added: “I would love if local businesses, sporting clubs, community organisations flew a Pride Flag all of the time – sending out a message that all are welcome in each establishment. I am glad that Cork City Council through Cork Pride and the Inter agency Group will establish the first two pride crossings in our wonderful city.”
In a statement following the horrific attacks in Sligo LGBT Ireland CEO Paula Fagan said: “These devastating crimes bring to the fore the need for comprehensive hate crime legislation, and I – along with other sectoral representatives – will be speaking with lawmakers over the coming days to stress the need for them to redouble their efforts and ensure the forthcoming legislation is effective, comprehensive and enacted with urgency. The LGBTI+ community has the right to feel and be safe on our streets, and online.”
Ms Fagan added: “The focus of recent events must remain firmly on the perpetrators of violence against LGBTI+ people. These crimes are on the extreme end of a spectrum of violence experienced by the LGBTI+ community and highlight the vulnerabilities and very real fears of the wider community.”
Speaking to the Cork Independent Former Gay Project Ireland CEO and member of the LGBT community Padraig Rice said the Government needs to implement the agreed national LGBT strategy urgently.
“Various things need to happen from training gardaí, to hate crime legislation, to banning conversion therapy, to improving trans healthcare and rights for transgender people.”
Padraig added: “Ireland has great moments of real progress like the marriage equality referendum, but that only solved one issue. While we've won the right to walk down the aisle together, we still have to look over our shoulder as we walk down the street.”
Research studies in Ireland have found that three quarters of LGBT young people feel unsafe in school, while in 2019 the CSO found that 33% of LGBT members faced discrimination, the highest figure across any group in Irish society. An LGBT Ireland study found 75% of people had been verbally abused one in five had been physically attacked.
Cork Pride Chairman Clive Davis told the Cork Independent that there is a fear among the community that last week's horrific attacks will stop people from coming out and being their true selves.
“2015 came and we got marriage equality, but homophobia didn’t disappear it’s still there. Last week's attack might force people who were on the cusp of coming out to go back into the closet due to fear.”
Appealing to those who have been affected by the events Clive asks those to contact the different organisations available.
He said: “There’s a vibrant community out there, organisations such as Gay Project, LINC, Gender Rebels and LGBT Ireland are ready and waiting and will help anyone who reaches out.”
In a statement President Michael D. Higgins said members of the LGBTQ plus community are faced with homophobic comments and slurs far too regularly.
He said, “When it comes to behaviour, we still hear far too regularly of members of the gay community being faced with homophobic comments and slurs, often unchallenged. Heartbreakingly, we hear friends or family members telling us that they do not feel comfortable holding the hand of their partner, of their husband or their wife, in public. This suggests an environment which somehow allows that while under the law someone’s sexuality will be tolerated, its expression must not be allowed. We must do better.”