Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has called on DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to urgently bring forward the long-overdue LGBTQI+ Strategy for Northern Ireland, stating it is more than a decade overdue.

Ms Armstrong was speaking after the Alliance Party brought a motion to the Assembly on Monday, May 12th, calling for the strategy's publication, ahead of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) this coming weekend (May 17th).

"It is never acceptable to discriminate against or target anyone based on who they are or who they love," said Ms Armstrong.

"While there have been advances in recent years, we know our LGBTQI+ community continues to face significant barriers, including bullying, hate crime and discrimination." The Strangford MLA highlighted Northern Ireland's unique position regarding such strategies. "Despite these challenges, we are the only part of these islands which has never had a strategy to advance the equality and wellbeing of LGBTQI+ people. The Sexual Orientation Strategy, which was first promised more than a decade ago, continues to be delayed by the Minister."

Ms Armstrong criticised the Minister's engagement with the sector since taking office. "The Minister has been in office for over a year but has yet to meet with representatives of the LGBTQI+ sector, despite attempts by several groups to do so. That is not acceptable and speaks to a wider disrespect to a large section of the community."

She concluded: "It's time he delivered an LGBTQI+ Strategy, and all parties come together to celebrate diversity and stand against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in our society."