In late June 2024, Dr Fergus Ryan, Head of the School of Law and Criminology at Maynooth, featured as a plenary speaker at the Europride 2024 Human Rights Conference in Thessaloniki Greece (organised by Thessaloniki Pride). Speaking on the theme of ‘Achieving Marriage Equality in Greece & Europe: Best Practices of Advocacy, Resilience & Policy Changes' Dr Ryan addressed the legal and social background to the extension of marriage to same-sex couples in Ireland in 2015. His presentation explored the social factors and political and legal developments that led to this ground-breaking reform, as well as the challenges and gaps that remain in relation to the protection of LGBTQ+ rights in Ireland and Europe. The panel also feature high-profile speakers from the Netherlands, France, Slovenia and Greece, including the French Ambassador for LGBTQ+ rights and the Dutch Human Rights Ambassador.
Dr Ryan has written and spoken extensively on the topic of LGBTQ+ rights and the law, his most recent publication on the topic being 'LGBTI Populations and the Right to Health' in Andreas R. Ziegler (ed.) et al. The Oxford Handbook of LGBTI Law (Oxford Academic (Online)/Oxford University Press, 2024).
Photos courtesy of Europride 2024/Thessaloniki Pride and Áylo Studio, Thessaloniki (reproduced with permission)