Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 July 2023
132. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the current status of Action 7.1 of the National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy, for which her Department is responsible, regarding the engagement of cultural institutions with LGBTI culture and history; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34699/23]
View answerThe National Cultural Institutions (NCIs) are very active in relation to LGBTI+ initiatives, offering special access and tours for the LGBTI+ community and discussing LGBTI+ contexts as well as providing other opportunities for the general public to engage with LGBTI+ related arts and culture.
For example, Chester Beatty is currently planning a school-related event for November as part of Stand up Awareness Week under the umbrella of Belong To LGBTQ+ Ireland; and part of the National Concert Hall's collaborative programming for its Metronome series for emerging artists and emerging music involves Gash Collective, an Irish collective and label focused on supporting female, trans, queer, non-binary and other underrepresented people in music production + DJing - with Gash Collective events in May and July.
In terms of the national collections, Crawford Art Gallery CAG has acquired two works by artist Stephan Doyle which depict and prompt discussions around LGBTI+ experiences and also hosts a short film on its website of the artist speaking about his painting 'Dylan is Ainm Dom' and the importance of queer work being represented in collections.
I am confident that NCIs will continue to strengthen and develop their programmes in relation to the LGBTI+ community and heritage which will ensure it is available to and seen by increasing numbers of visitors.
