00:00Thank you Mr. Speaker. I think some will think this is an unnecessary or a
00:04contentious debate but the reality is this conversation is happening right
00:09across our society therefore it's important that we as legislators debate
00:14the issue and lay out our position. I hope the debate can be both robust and
00:20respectful, mindful that we are talking about lived experiences right across
00:25Northern Ireland. This motion falls into three main areas which I will cover
00:30during my contributions. Firstly it's important that we commit to provide
00:35support for minority communities right across Northern Ireland. The travelling
00:40community, the disabled, the elderly, vulnerable and the LGBTQ plus communities
00:46particularly around health, education, dealing with bullying and the issues of
00:52mental health. To vote to leave out any one of these groups is not in keeping
00:58with an inclusive union I aspire to and therefore I will not be supporting the
01:03amendment. Secondly the motion talks about societal rights. The right to swing
01:10your fist ends where my nose begins. What does that mean? It means that at times
01:18rights can be conflicting and there is no automatic hierarchy in delivering
01:23what is best for the majority of people here in Northern Ireland or anywhere
01:26else. At times there are genuine conflicts and rights which are laid out
01:31in the Equality Act 2010. Over the last number of years many women have felt
01:37that their rights have been undermined. These issues can be best seen in regards
01:43to space, sport and language. Do women deserve their own space such as changing
01:49rooms, toilets, women-only groups, crisis centres, medical facilities such as
01:53hospital wards and holding facilities such as prisons? I believe they do and if
02:00you believe they do then you should support this motion.
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