Whether in the social, political, economic or cultural spheres, they are denied equality of rights and opportunities. There is no logical or rational defence for such exclusion. Only ignorance and indifference enable such a denial of basic fundamental rights to continue.
Republicans are only too well aware of what it means to be treated as second-class citizens.
Our politics are the result of decades of resistance to marginalisation and discrimination. Self-determination is our core demand, not only as a nation, but also as diverse communities within that nation. The denial of justice from one section of this nation is a denial of the rights of us all. It is also important to remember that lesbian, gay and bisexual people are not a community set apart from the heterosexual population. In every community, in every locality and in every political party, there are lesbian, gay and bisexual people who are denied equality on the grounds of their sexual orientation.