#IrelandTurnsPurple on November 8th to mark International Intersex Solidarity Day

Over sixty buildings, including historic landmarks, government buildings and cultural and educational institutions will be lighting up in purple on Sunday, November 8th to mark International Intersex Solidarity Day. 

The #IrelandTurnsPurple campaign led by the Intersex Mapping Study at Dublin City University in association with Intersex Ireland aims to raise awareness of and show support for the intersex community, both in Ireland and across the globe.

According to the United Nations (UN) around 1.7% of the global population are intersex and in many countries, intersex children are subjected to unnecessary surgery and treatment to try to make their bodies appear more male or female, causing terrible physical, psychological and emotional pain and ultimately, violating their human rights.

Now in its second year, the campaign is supported by the Minister with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), Patrick O’Donovan, TD. Historic landmarks and buildings such as the Rock of Cashel, Dublin’s Mansion House, Cork City Hall, King John’s Castle, Limerick, Rathfarnham Castle, Kilkenny Castle, Dublin City Hall, Liberty Hall and the Phoenix Monument are on a list of over 60 buildings nationwide turning purple.

Dublin City University, University College Cork and the Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI) are among twelve higher education institutions lighting up in purple while trade union organisation SIPTU and the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) have also pledged their support. 

Dr. Tanya Ní Mhuirthile, DCU School of Law & Government, and lead researcher at the Intersex Mapping Study highlighted the significance of organisations across Ireland publicly committing their support to raising awareness of intersex.

Speaking in advance of International Intersex Solidarity Day, Dr Ní Mhuirthile said, 

“It is wonderful to see how many people and places have come together in this show of solidarity for our intersex friends, family and fellow citizens. #IrelandTurnsPurple represents the opportunity to shine a light on a hidden group in our community and to begin a conversation on how best to ensure support for their needs.”

Pictured- The Mansion House, Dublin which is lighting up in purple on Sunday, November 8th (picture credit the Intersex Mapping Project)

ABOUT THE INTERSEX MAPPING PROJECT

The Intersex Mapping Project at DCU: Research Team: PI: Dr Tanya Ní Mhuirthile. School of Law and Government; Co-PI: Prof Anthony Staines. School of Nursing, Psychotherapy & Community Health; AI: Dr Mel Duffy. School of Nursing, Psychotherapy & Community Health; PD: Dr Maria Feeney. School of Law and Government. Funding Partners. The project is funded by the Irish Research Council IRC COALESCE 2019/156

The following landmarks and buildings are supporting #IrelandTurnsPurple on November 8th International Intersex Solidarity Day *correct at time of publication

Cork City Hall, Rock of Cashel Tipperary, EPIC - the Irish Emigration Museum Dublin, the Convention Centre Dublin, Rathfarnham Castle Dublin, the Quad University College Cork, City Hall Dublin, King John’s Castle Limerick, Mansion House, Dublin, Phoenix Monument Dublin, Liberty Hall Dublin, Griffith College Dublin, County Hall Dundalk, Town Hall Dundalk, Millmount Drogheda, Dublin City Council Civic Offices Wood Quay, Áras an Chontae Laois, County Donegal Public Service Centres in Lifford, Letterkenny, Milford, Carndonagh, Dungloe and Donegal Town; National Concert Hall Dublin, George’s Quay Plaza Dublin, Kilkenny Castle Kilkenny, Derry City and Strabane District Council Offices Derry, Ulster University - Magee, Local Enterprise Office Waterford, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, Butt Bridge Dublin, Millennium Bridge Dublin, Casino Marino Dublin, Dublin City University, Áras Chill Dara Naas, Newbridge Town Hall, The Lantern Building Naas, Cavan Courthouse, Letterkenny Institute of Technology, Cork Institute of Technology – 46 Grand Parade, City Hall Galway, Trinity College Dublin, Plassey House University of Limerick, Foundation Building & Fountain University of Limerick, County Hall Wexford, NUI Galway, Monaghan County Museum, Town Hall Theatre Galway, Áras Chontae an Chláir Ennis, Samuel Beckett Bridge Dublin, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, National College of Ireland IFSC Dublin, County Buildings Tralee, Tralee Municipal District Building, Killarney Municipal District Building, Heuston Station Dublin, Institute of Technology, Tralee, Linenhall Arts Centre Castlebar, Athlone Institute of Technology, Department of Foreign Affairs, Dublin, TUD St. Laurence Church, Grangegorman, Waterford Institute of Technology, National Museum of Ireland: Collins Barracks, National Museum of Country Life Mayo, Maynooth University