The Fenway Institute was thrilled to host a delegation from Ireland and Northern Ireland of policy makers, advocates, youth workers, legal professionals and other leaders working on behalf of the LGBT community. The exchange program, Advocating for Human and Civil Rights for the LGBT Community, was coordinated through the Irish Institute of Boston College. Staff from the National LGBT Health Education Center at The Fenway Institute met with this delegation on April 27 for an in-depth discussion on The Institute’s work and how its research could be used to address challenges facing the LGBT community in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
During their visit, the delegates toured our Ansin Building and learned about the history of Fenway Health from President and CEO Dr. Stephen L. Boswell. Members of The Fenway Institute leadership team, including Dr. Kenneth Mayer, Dr. Sean Cahill, and Dr. Alex Keuroghlian, outlined some of the cutting edge research and education being done by The Institute. During the conversation, the delegates discussed some of the biggest issues for LGBT people in their countries and explored how some of the health care and public policy models being used by Fenway Health could be adapted for use across seas.
The delegates in attendance from Ireland and Northern Ireland included Sam Blanckensee, National Development Officer, Transgender Equality Network Ireland; Gavin Boyd, Policy and Advocacy Manager, The Rainbow Project; Senator Jerry Buttimer, Public Representative, Senator, Leader, Government Senators in Seanad Éireann; Inspector Paul Franey, Inspector, Strategic Planning, An Garda Siochana; Martin McConnellogue, Manager Jefferson Court, First Housing Aid and Support Services; Declan Meehan, Deputy Director, Cara-Friend; Ciaran Moynagh, Partner, McLernon Moynagh Solicitors; Anthony Muldoon Advocacy, Manager, EQUATE; Una Mullally, Journalist, Irish Times; and Sinéad Murray, LGBT Youth Worker, Donegal Youth Service.
We’d like to thank the delegates and the Irish Institute at Boston College for making this wonderful visit possible, and for helping foster critical international collaboration for LGBT people everywhere.