Respect for members of LGBTQ community a priority for GAA
Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael John Horan during the GAA Annual Congress 2019 at the Clayton Whites Hotel in Ferrybank South, Wexford.
By John Harrington
GAA President, John Horan, said in his address to Congress 2019 that protection and respect for members of the LGBTQ community involved in Gaelic Games should be a priority for the Association.
“We have a huge presence in Irish life which impacts very positively on people and long may this be the case,” said Horan.
“Another area on our horizon will be the protection and respect which we show to members of the LGBTQ community who are involved in our Games.”
An important step in making the GAA a more inclusive organisation was taken at Congress today when a motion was passed that the Camogie Association and Ladies Football be recognised and represented on the Management Committee and Central Council of the GAA.
“This Congress represents another important milestone in the closer relations that continue to develop between the GAA, the LGFA and An Cumann Camógaíochta - or the wider Gaelic games family if I can use that term,” said Horan.
“The motion proposing to invite both organisations to take a seat at our Ard Chomhairle and Coiste Bainistíochta tables is more than symbolic.
“It is a further indication of the tangible developments that have followed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding to bring all three organisations closer together and to strengthen a network that overlaps in so many ways.
“The GAA is also an official partner to the 20 x 20 project being run by The Federation of Irish Sport, which aims to increase participation in, coverage of and attendances at women’s sport before 2020.
“Sport is for all of the family and the benefits of family engagement with sport – sometimes and quite often together – are obvious.
“All of these initiatives and efforts combined have the potential to make a difference and underline our message that we want everyone to play our games or get involved in our activities.
“And nothing promotes that better than seeing girls and women playing in growing numbers.
“The potential here is undeniable and attendances at recent camogie and ladies football finals shows what’s possible. We have a role to play and we are more than happy to take it on.”