LGBTI+

Cork LGBTI+ Awareness Week 2026

Theme: Intersectionality in the LGBTI+ Community

Cork marks May 17th, the International Day Against Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) each year with LGBTI+ Awareness Week, reaffirming our commitment to equality, inclusion, and solidarity.

This year’s theme, "Intersectionality in the LGBTI+ Community” examines the diversity within the LGBTI+ Community and how various intersecting identities can shape people and their experiences, as well as how they can create further barriers for an already marginalised person.

Hate speech and attacks on members of the LGBTI+ Community, both in person and online, are growing as more and more people are influenced and emboldened by anti-LGBTI+ global sentiments and trends.

We invite you to explore the events throughout the week and to attend, engage, and learn more about family, friends, neighbours, and colleagues who are part of the LGBTI+ Community.

Allies are key in helping to oppose anti-LGBTI+ sentiment. Please join us as we grow and learn through a series of events, discussions, and community gatherings for Cork LGBTI+ Awareness Week 2026. The more we know, the more we understand. The more we understand, the more supportive we can be.

Contact lgbti@corkcity.ie for more information on this year's events.

Check out this year's programme

Cork City Council's Commitment to LGBTI+ Inclusion

Cork City has pursued LGBTI+ inclusion for many years, drawing in the strong vibrant LGBTI+ community in Cork.

Cork City Council is committed to supporting and promoting LGBTI+ equality in Cork city.

Since 2011, Cork City Council, through its Community Section and Cork City Inter-Agency Group organises Cork LGBTI+ Awareness Week to coincide with international IDAHOT (International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia). The purpose of the week to bring Cork City: it’s Council, public service agencies and communities together. LGBTI+ Awareness Week has become an annual event with increasing support and involvement from public service agencies and city communities.

Did you know?

Cork City Council was the first city and public building to officially fly the Rainbow Flag; raised in Cork City by the Lord Mayor in 2014. Cork City is the first and only city on the island of Ireland to have become a member of the International Rainbow Cities Network, who pledge to protect and enhance LGBTI+ rights and inclusion. And in June 2022, Cork installed two Rainbow Crossings in the heart of the city, on Patrick’s street. The design is unique to Cork, incorporating as it does both the 6 bands of the traditional Rainbow Flag and also the progressive chevron representing people of colour , transgender and intersex identities.

Deputy Lord Mayor at the time, Cllr Damian Boylan welcomed these colourful and inclusive additions to the city’s public realm saying “These Crossings are a powerful and progressive symbol of the City’s support for and collaboration with Cork’s LGBTI+ Communities, we’re delighted that our Rainbow City now has some Rainbow Crossings. Commissioned jointly by the Cork LGBT+ Pride Festival and Cork’s LGBTI+ Inter-Agency Group , with the active support of Cork City Council the Rainbow Crossings are a visible and physical symbol of our commitment to being an open, welcoming and inclusive city.“

Cork City is proud to be Ireland's first and only Rainbow City. Rainbow cities is a growing network of international cities concerned with LGBTI+ policies. Find out more: https://www.rainbowcities.com/

Rainbow Cities in Action Policy Guidelines

The successful completion of the Rainbow Cities Network project was marked by the publication of the
document "Rainbow Cities in Action, LGBTI policy Guidelines for Municipalities".

During the past two years, the cities of the Network, through their representatives, invested efforts in
researching and solving the challenges faced by the LGBTI community, and the goal of everything was to
gain understanding, raise awareness and advocate for inclusiveness and equality.

The mentioned guidelines are available in the attachment of this announcement, as well as through the
link : https://www.rainbowcities.com/in-action/

Rainbow-Cities-in-Action_Policy-Guidelines-for-Municipalities.pdf (size 5.1 MB)

Beneficiary-Information-Template.pdf (size 141.3 KB)

Cork City Fire Brigade flew the LGBTI+ flag outside its HQ for the first time in 2019.

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