AQW 3597/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 12/03/2020
Answered On Date: 23/06/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities for an update on the Sexual Orientation Strategy.

Answer:

I remain committed to developing a Sexual Orientation Strategy to address any barriers or inequalities related to Sexual Orientation and to fulfil the commitments in New Decade, New Approach and the Executive’s Programme for Government.

I am keen to ensure that the people who will be most affected by the Sexual Orientation Strategy are able to make a meaningful contribution to its development and delivery, based on the principles and practice of citizen and community engagement.

You are aware that the COVID-19 pandemic has placed significant and unprecedented pressures on everyone. The primary focus of the Executive and all Departments has been to address and put in place measures to resolve current and emerging issues relating to the pandemic, especially those issues affecting the most vulnerable in our society.

I am therefore closely monitoring the ongoing COVID-19 situation so that work on the Sexual Orientation Strategy can commence at an appropriate time and be sustained throughout the co-design and co-development process.