By looking at the religious history of Ireland, it is interesting to think that there are “positive trends in Ireland surrounding the acceptance of LGBTQ+ identities” compared to the negative trends that are occurring in the United States (GCN). Since arriving in Ireland, I have seen first-hand the widespread acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. From the large cities like Dublin to the smallest villages, I have seen pride flags flying high showing the Irish support for the LGBTQ+ community. Although pride flags are flown in the United States rarely do you see such support for the LGBTQ+ community in small rural communities like in Ireland. I have seen pride flags on the side of buildings, buses, trains, and schools throughout the country of Ireland. The best way I can describe the acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland compared to the acceptance in the United States is genuine. Ireland’s acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community seems so genuine because many “Irish residents largely have a desire to not judge, categorize or prescribe how LGBTQ+ people live their lives” (GCN).

 

In the United States, I feel like the attitude toward the LGBTQ+ community is quite the opposite compared to the attitude in Ireland. According to Translegislation.com, there are currently 589 Anti-Trans bills in the United States. Furthermore, the political debates in the United States often deal with negative perceptions of the LGBTQ+ community. While in Ireland, I have watched several political debates on TV due to the local elections occurring, and during the debates, the LGBTQ+ community is never brought up.

 

The acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland is astonishing to me because I come from a rural republican community where I am not exposed to genuine care for the LGBTQ+ community.  Furthermore, a large debate in the United States surrounding the LGBTQ+ community is about what bathrooms are appropriate for members of the community to use. This debate has been going on for as long as I remember and there has yet to be a solution to satisfy all. In Ireland, the bathroom issue that surrounds the LGBTQ+ community seems to have been solved. Most bathrooms that I have encountered are individual and cater to anyone. While visiting Waterford Crystal, I noticed that the bathroom was labeled “Inclusive Bathroom.” I really liked the wording that was used because it allows anyone from any background to utilize the facilities without directly singling out a community. It’s crazy to think that something as small as the wording on a bathroom could blow my mind about the acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland compared to the United States.

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​Although I am not a member of the LGBTQ+ community I am an ally, and I believe that members of the LGBTQ+ community would feel much safer in Ireland compared to the United States. I will probably never forget the moment that I hopped off my train in Dublin and saw a pride flag painted across a train and it wasn’t even Pride Month at the time. That same day while walking in Dublin, I saw a residential door painted with beautiful rainbow colors as well as crosswalks. While in Waterford, I saw a school with pride flags all over it and signs that supported youth members of the LGBTQ+ community. In the United States, I feel like the only time you see the widespread use of pride flags is during Pride Month. The progressiveness of Ireland within the past 50 years is truly inspiring and is a lesson that all countries throughout the world could learn.