AN ACTION plan intended to support the government’s ambition to make Wales the most LGBTQ+ friendly nation in Europe has been published. 

The Welsh Government has developed the plan with representatives from across the LGBTQ+ community, and it is intended to help coordinate action between the government, stakeholders, the public and other agencies, to further LGBTQ+ equality in Wales. 

It sets out a wide range of policy-specific actions covering areas such as human rights, safety, housing health and socila care and the workplace and is intended to lead to a cross-government approach. 

Hannah Blythyn, the deputy minister for social partnerships, said the government is also reaffirming its commitments, announced in June at the end of Pride month, over seeking extra powers which it believes will help it support LGBTQ+ equality and supporting Pride events across Wales. 

She said: “I set out the key steps on the journey towards achieving greater LGBTQ+ equality in Wales. I want to reaffirm our key commitments; seeking the devolution of powers relating to the Gender Recognition Act, to use all available powers to ban all aspects of LGBTQ+ conversion therapy and to support Prides across Wales by sponsoring Pride Cymru, establishing a Wales-wide Pride Fund and appointing a Wales-wide Coordinator. 

“Our ambition is to tackle the long-term structural inequalities that still exist, to challenge discrimination and to create a country without prejudice.” 

The Welsh Government has also released an independent expert panel report which has helped it consider the actions it needs to take and issues to address in achieving its equality aim. 

Members of the public are being urged to take part in a consultation on how the action plan’s goals can be achieved. 

Chair of the LGBTQ+ Independent Expert Group Lu Thomas said: “Ministers have continually used the phrase: ‘Progress is never inevitable’ and with the release of the consultation today, it clearly shows the Welsh Government is committed to achieving real progress in our society. 

“Our report deliberately gives a focus to intersectionality, ensuring that all areas of Government pull together, with stakeholders, community groups and individuals from across our society to engage and contribute to the plan. 

“It’s only by uniting as a nation can we achieve real progress and deliver a fairer and more equal society in Wales.”