“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced. “ – James Baldwin
Outhouse stands with the Black community in Ireland and around the world fighting against racism, inhumanity and oppression. Social justice and inclusiveness is intrinsic to our organisation.
We stand in solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter movement around the world. We are outraged at the persistent police brutality, profiling and institutional racism that is endemic in society. The murder of George Floyd has once again brought this to the world’s attention but this is not an isolated incident
If you experience or witness racism or injustice of any kind, call it out. It is through years and centuries of inaction, that this oppression has been allowed to continue. Our community also suffers injustice and oppression.
Now is not the time to be silent. We must step up against all forms of discrimination.
Outhouse calls on everyone in the LGBT+ community and our allies to continue to fight for an end to systemic inequality and racism. We commit to highlight the indignity of direct provision here in Ireland that our migrant brothers and sisters suffer.
We are determined to continue in our work to provide a safe space for our migrant LGBT+ community and those living in direct provision. While looking externally at the conflict in America, we must also look inwards and we are outraged at the maltreatment and violation of human rights within Ireland’s ‘direct provision’ centres.
We remember George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and the countless others who died at the hands of police but we also remember Sylva Tukula, a black transgender woman, placed in an all male direct provision centre who died and was buried without the state informing her friends and family.
Right now, we ask you to support our black friends. It is the work of black LGBT activists Marsha P. Johnson and Silvia Rivera who were at the forefront of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, that later led to the Gay Liberation Movement and they are part of the reason why we can celebrate this Pride month.
Here are some links to organisations that help minorities and that support minorities here in Ireland and others that support the #BlackLivesMatter movement in the US
Ireland
INAR – Irish Network Against Racism
MASI – Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland
Black Pride Ireland
US
The Bail Funds George Floyd
Minnesota Freedom Fund
Black Lives Matter
