Gay people convicted before decriminalisation will receive apology today

Same sex relations were decriminalised in 1993.

People who were convicted of homosexuality before it was decriminalised will receive an apology in the Dáil and Seanad today. It was decriminalised 25 years ago. Labour Senator Ged Nash tabled the motion that asks the Oireachtas to offer a sincere apology to men convicted by the courts before 1993, when former Justice Minister Máire Geoghegan-Quinn decriminalised being gay. In the motion, which has been agreed upon by all parties, it will maintain that the law prior to 1993 caused an unnecessary amount of harm to gay people and to their family and friends. Irish foreign policy will also be addressed to ensure it promotes the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people globally. The motion is expected to get the support of the Cabinet at a meeting this morning, which will follow on with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar delivering a key speech in the Dáil. This comes just as the Government plan to hold a reception in Dublin Castle next weekend to mark the 25th anniversary of decriminalising the old law, where more than 700 people are thought to be attending.