Trans allyship is theme of LGBTI+ week
There is a range of free events running throughout the week inviting people to come together to challenge homophobia, lesbophobia, transphobia, and biphobia.
It’s hoped the events, taking place during Cork LGBTI+ Awareness Week will demonstrate the solidarity of the people of Cork with LGBTI+ communities, here and globally.
Cork LGBTI+ Awareness Week, which runs until 18 May, was launched in City Hall on Monday. Cork City Council, a member of the Rainbow Cities Network, is also set to mark 17 May, the International Day Against Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT).
The Cork LGBTI+ Awareness Week 2025 theme is Trans Allyship in Action which aims to highlight the urgent need for meaningful and active support for trans and non-binary people.
Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Dan Boyle officially launched LGBTI+ Awareness Week. During the launch, he thanked the LGBTI+ Inter-Agency Group for their continuing hard work in creating a more inclusive city commenting. “This year’s theme of Trans Allyship in Action is a call to all the people living in Cork to engage in active ‘Allyship’ with our transgender community members, by showing solidarity, respect and friendship at every opportunity in all your social engagements.”
He thanked Siobhan O’ Dowd who led from the front on LGBTI+ rights through her leadership on the LGBTI+ Inter-Agency. The Lord Mayor recognised Siobhan’s work by adding her to his Civic Awards list for 2025.
Cork City Council Chief Executive, Valerie O’Sullivan, welcomed keynote speaker, Minister of State for Department of Rural and Community Development, Jerry Buttimer TD and the Lord Mayor of Belfast Cllr Mickey Murray to this year’s launch.
She said: “This high level of engagement signifies an important all-island collaborative approach to social inclusion, equality and rights for the LGBTI+ communities across our shared spaces. It will bring further awareness to the issues faced by the LGBTI+ Community and their need for strong allies.”
The Lord Mayor Cllr Dan Boyle, stated that the invitation from the First Citizen of Cork to the First Citizen of Belfast, enshrines Cork city as a ‘City of Welcomes’ which values connectivity, cooperation, outreach and collaboration. He said: “It has been one of his highlights of the year to welcome the Belfast Lord Mayor Cllr Micky Murray, to the launch of the LGBTI+ Awareness Week here in Cork city.”
Commenting on the significance of LGBTI+ Awareness Week, Dr Kevin Hosford, representing Gender Rebels on the LGBTI+ Inter-Agency, said: "The theme of Trans Allyship in Action, highlights the urgent need for meaningful and active support for trans and non-binary people. At a time when trans rights are increasingly under attack globally, allyship must go beyond statements of support. It must be a commitment to advocacy, protection, and empowerment.” This Awareness Week 2025 attempts to build upon all previous years and thereby continue the work to create a more just and equal society, where absolutely no one is left behind.
Most of the week’s events are open to the public. Full details of all events are available at corkcity.ie/lgbti and on social media @CorkLGBTWeek.