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Cork LGBTI+ Awareness Week, which runs from May 12 to 18, was launched today in Cork City Hall.

Cork City Council, a proud member of the Rainbow Cities Network, will mark May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), with LGBTI+ Awareness Week. The annual awareness week this year runs from May 12 to 18.

The Cork LGBTI+ Awareness Week 2025 theme is ‘Trans Allyship in Action’ which highlights 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 on Monday, 12 May in Cork City Hall. 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”.

The Lord Mayor 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 T.D. and the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr. Mickey Murray to this year’s launch in, commenting that “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 stated that “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.

There is a range of free events running throughout the week inviting people to come together to challenge homophobia, lesbophobia, transphobia, and biphobia and to demonstrate the solidarity of the people of Cork with LGBTI+ communities, here and globally.

Some highlights include:

  • IDAHOBIT Seminar ‘Trans Allyship in Action’ on Wednesday morning, 14th May in Council Chamber, City Hall. (Registration is required).
  • LGBTI+ Culture Night Thursday 15th May: This year Cork LGBTI+ Inter Agency and Triskel Arts Centre present a special screening of the acclaimed drama RŪRANGI.
  • Rainbow Cities Network Photo Exhibition ‘Queer Sports’ on Friday 16th May at the City Library 1.00 p.m.
  • Rainbow Picnic on Saturday afternoon 17th May (IDAHOBIT Day) in Fitzgerald Park.

Most of the week’s events are open to the public. Full details of all events are available at www.corkcity.ie/lgbti and on our social @CorkLGBTWeek.

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