Government to back historic apology to gay and bisexual men

The Government has confirmed that it will support a motion in the Dáil and Seanad tomorrow which apologises to men who were convicted of engaging in consensual same-sex sexual acts.

It comes ahead of the 25th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in June 1993.

The text of the motion, introduced by Labour Senator Ged Nash, has been agreed with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan, the Labour Party said.

The motion states that the Oireachtas “acknowledges the hurt and the harm caused to those who were deterred by those laws from being open and honest about their identity with their family and in society and that this prevented citizens from engaging in civil and political life and deprived society of their full contribution”.

The Oireachtas also “offers a sincere apology to individuals convicted of same-sex sexual activity which is now legal”.