It’s been difficult not to notice that Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht affairs Pat Carey has hit the ground running in terms of visiting community projects around the country and trying to offer soothing words to the decimated sector. Minister Carey has a lot of making up to do given the bad relations which have existed with other ministers in a number of departments in the past three years.

For LGBT groups the area of community development is still rather new, or at least the national recognition and co-ordination of initiatives is still new .

Minister Carey earlier today launched the LGBT Diversity initiative which aims to support lgbt organisations and communities throughout Ireland. Currently there are nine organisations involved in the programme and a number of staff have been appointed throughout the country to work in supporting the development of programmes which support LGBT people, build sustainable communities and support voluntary and statutory bodies at local and regional level in how they work in the area.

Merrionstreet.ie were there to cover the launch and the Minister’s speech – which included his views on gay marriage. (Merrionstreet.ie is the Government’s new online portal/news service with video, ‘blogs’, tweeting etc. It’s cost €40,000 so far and there is no way for the voters to engage back with their socially mediaesque elected officials.)

The Minister believes that same sex marriage will happen ‘sooner rather than we think’ but will be difficult and require further lobbying. Interesting to see him take up the issue in a speech and he also spoke about homophobia and suicide in the LGBT community. I can’t find the full text of his speech yet but will include it when it is published. Thanks to the speech genie you can read the Minister’s speech here.