Issue link: http://digitaleditions.uberflip.com/i/1273037
www.ladiesgaelic.ie | SUMMER 2020 | 49 INCLUSION & DIVERSITY Q: Last year, the GAA was officially represented in the Dublin Pride Festival for the very first time. How significant a moment was this? In his 2019 address to Congress, GAA President John Horan stated that protection and respect for members of the LGBTQ community involved in Gaelic Games should be a priority. Since then the GAA has strived to live up to those words. The GAA, the LGFA, and the Camogie Association were officially represented at last year's Dublin Pride Parade. It was such a memorable day as it was my first event as Diversity and Inclusion officer in the GAA. It was a lovely start for me but this work is still continuing and there are many things yet to do. One of our pillars of inclusion in specifically the LGBTQI+ community. A first draft of a new policy in this area has gone for consultation to the various stakeholders in the Association. It is called or titled the 'Positive Participation of the LGBTQI+ community in Gaelic Games'. Q: GAA President John Horan and Ard Stiúrthóir Tom Ryan also attended a Church of Ireland Service in Christ Church Cathedral last May. This was another symbolic moment There is simply no place in the GAA for discrimination. John Horan spoke at an ecumenical service in Christ Church Cathedral and his words were clear: "When we cross the threshold of a GAA club or dressing room, the only thing that should matter for the time that we are there is the colour of the jersey that we pull over our heads. It's those colours and the crest which the jersey bears that should be the only distinction between everyone involved on a given day. Race, gender, creed or absence thereof, gender preference, profession or political persuasion are all issues from our personal lives that bear no relevance to the playing of our games." Those words signal the next chapter of the GAA, one where we embrace the natural societal change in our Country. Q: How pleased are you and your colleagues to see the establishment of the East Belfast GAA club? I'm really pleased, the establishment of a new GAA club is always a cause for celebration and the East Belfast Club is no different. Dave McGreevey a passionate sportsman saw the need for a GAA club in East Belfast and got people on board to make it happen. The club has one founding principle – it will be cross-community, open to any and all who feel they'd like to get involved. There probably isn't a better ethos upon which to build any club! A nice touch is that the club crest includes English, Gaelic and Ulster-Scots translations for 'together'. Q: In recent times, the George Floyd killing in the United States led to the 'Black Lives Matter' campaign. We saw members of the Gaelic Games family detailing their experiences of racism and discrimination. How far down the road are we towards dealing with these issues? During the last number of weeks we have heard so many stories and it is important that their voices are heard because it is only by shining a light on such discrimination when it occurs that it can be exposed and rooted out. The Association is anti-sectarian, anti-racist, and committed to the principles of inclusion and diversity at all levels. These values are enshrined in the GAA's Official Guide. We are working hard in this area and ongoing efforts to address racism on behalf of the GAA, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, and the Camogie Association. In order to address racism and discrimination we are continuously collaborating with other experts in this area, for example Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI). In the last number of months we have developed workshops and awareness campaigns to proactively address any issues but I don't see the problem as 'solved' but rather the start of our journey to ensure everyone feels welcome in our association and an incidents that suggest otherwise are dealt with swiftly and professionally. Q: What does diversity and inclusion mean to you on a personal level, and how it then impacts on and transfers directly to your role? I am the youngest of 14 from Carna in Connemara and I have always played football. My love for sports began at a young age while attending a Gaelic speaking primary school and always played a variety of sport in the community. I have always loved sport and coaching and have experienced first-hand how the opportunity to try out whatever sport you want can bring such rich experiences to your life. ALL BELONG