Katherine Zappone has appeared publicly for the first time since the controversy surrounding her appointment as a special envoy to the UN, but she declined to raise the matter, saying she would process what had happened and then write about it.
s Zappone spoke at the launch of Ireland’s first LGBTQIA+ guide for parents, which is designed to “assuage fears and help the community understand”.
ShoutOut, an LGBTQIA+ charity focused on educating the public, launched the guide at Outhouse in central Dublin to educate and educate the Irish public.
The purpose of the guide is to help parents and guardians help their children navigate their sexuality.
Amid the controversy surrounding ‘Meriongate’, Ms Zappone said she’s “still busy” with what happened last year.
“I’m still processing what happened during that period, it was a very stressful period,” she said.
“And when I’m done processing, I’m going to write about it.”
The outdoor social gathering on July 21 at the Merrion Hotel, hosted by the former children’s minister, was attended by 50 people, including the Tánaiste, at a time when there were Covid restrictions.
The government was then forced to seek the advice of the Attorney General, who said it was following the rules at the time.
The meeting took place six days before the appointment of the former children’s minister by Secretary of State Simon Coveney as UN special envoy for freedom of expression, although the Taoiseach had not been informed – a role she later relinquished amid controversy over the move. nomination process and the Merrion event.
Ms Zappone previously said she had been assured by the Merrion Hotel that her private party for friends and former colleagues was in compliance with the government’s Covid-19 restrictions.
She declined to appear before the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee to answer questions about the UN nomination.
The gay rights campaigner was previously an Independent TD and a minister in the 2016-2020 minority government led by Fine Gael.
Speaking about the guide’s launch, Ms Zappone said it was a “privilege and pleasure” to be at the event.
The guide will feature contributions from former President Mary McAleese, Ms. Zappone herself, and transgender activist Dr. Lydia Foy, who won a landmark case over transgender rights in Ireland.
Ms Zappone said encouraging the guide’s use of inclusive language is vital to drive change.
“I like the focus and emphasis on the importance of language, the glossary is fantastic,” said Ms Zappone.
“What language do we use to describe who we are? Our language becomes a powerful tool to bring about the transformation of celebration and affirmation of difference, of fluidity, for our development, maturity and sanity.
“Language has the power to change the way things are. When we use terms like non-binary, pansexuality, gender expression, we are both accepting the change and promoting the change.
“The guide is an encouragement for parents to learn new things, these are really big things. My favorite part of the guide is what LGBTQI kids wish their parents and guardians knew.
“The guide’s focus on encouraging happiness, if your child or young adult is happy in who they are, and if you as a parent or guardian are happy in supporting your child to become themselves, what can any of us do? want more?”
Ms. Zappone made her own contribution to the guide and wrote a piece called ‘It’s all about love’ in which she reflected on coming out to her own parents at the age of 35.
She married her partner Ann Louise Gilligan in 2003, but Ann Louise died in 2017.
She has now moved back to her native United States.
“Every parent or guardian wants their child to be happy. Mine does,” she said. “However, what happens if they find out that their child is trans, queer or lesbian? How do they help them to be happy? This guide offers smart and practical tools to answer these questions. I therefore expect more happiness for our beautiful young people – and their parents –.
The guide, available in print and on the ShoutOut website, provides information on the many different aspects of being LGBTQIA+, such as terminology, coming out, and how parents can support their children by building inclusive homes.