Northern Ireland's First Minister says controversial LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall is about education and 'inclusive workplaces'
Michelle O’Neill says that the controversial LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall is “about inclusive workplaces” – and recommended that a TUV MLA might “take advantage” of the training programmes it offers.
The First Minister was responding to a question from Timothy Gaston about public money being spent on diversity schemes run by the lobby group, which he described as “discredited”.
However, the Sinn Fein politician said that the Executive Office – which she jointly runs with the DUP’s Emma Little Pengelly – does not provide “any direct funding” to the organisation.
Stonewall offers training schemes and ranks organisations on a public index, based on how well it believes they are meeting the criteria it sets out. Originally a gay rights charity, it has branched out into transgender issues in recent years – arguing that people should be accepted as the gender of their choice.
It has been accused by critics of misinterpreting equality law, and erroneously advising employers on issues such as single sex services – something it has repeatedly denied. In wake of the controversy over its advice from women and gay rights campaigners, many UK government departments have pulled out of its schemes.
Speaking in the Assembly on Monday, TUV MLA Timothy Gaston said Stonewall is “now reported to be in financial difficulty”. He asked Ms O’Neill is she would ensure that neither her department nor its arms length bodies would “make any further payments to this discredited organisation”.
The first minister – a supporter of the Pride movement – said if the organisation found itself in financial difficulties, it was a matter for them. But she said the Executive Office provided no “direct funding to Stonewall”.
“However, I do know that the civil service, as a member of the Stonewall diversity champion programme do, via the Department of Finance. Look, I think that the purpose of Stonewall is about education and it's about inclusive workplaces, and I think that that's something that perhaps even the member might take advantage of a wee bit of guidance and training from”, Ms O’Neill said.
Sinn Fein MLA Emma Sheerin asked the first minister if she agreed that “celebrating equality and diversity” is “key to building a more inclusive society” – and Ms O’Neill said she did.