A Fine Gael TD has called on sporting bodies, such as the GAA and FAI, to reach out to members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

According to Cork South Central TD, Jerry Buttimer, who is himself one of the first openly gay politicians in Leinster House, Ireland has changed considerably in recent years and is now a more respectful and tolerant society.

However, in building this fairer society, it is essential that trade unions, community organisations, civic society groups and sporting bodies ‘take a lead role in getting the message out that being gay is ok', he said.

"If we are to instill a sense of confidence in our young people in terms of their sexual identity, we need organisations such as the GAA, the IRFU and the FAI to reach out and take a leap toward real equality and building an inclusive society.

"It is unrealistic to think that there are not more gay and lesbian men and women who are prominent in sport. The fact that a fear still exists in terms of coming out in the sporting world is testament to how far we still have to go," he insisted.

He said that historically, it has been ‘unacceptable, especially for sportsmen, to publicly express their sexual orientation'.

"This feeds into negative stereotyping of the gay community which penetrates the psyche of our young people, affecting their willingness to be open about who they are."

Mr Buttimer made his comments at a conference on gay rights in the workplace, organised by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO). The conference aimed to highlight the importance of accepting people's sexual orientation within the workplace.

"This conference is a huge milestone and demonstrates nurses' and midwives' willingness to lead on excellence in healthcare and to recognise sexual orientation and gender differences at work. Today, the INMO is playing an active role in constructing a more caring Ireland and in building more secure communities," Mr Buttimer said.

He noted that an increasing number of Irish companies and organisations ‘are recognising the real value to their businesses of diversity among their staff'.

"People perform best when they can be themselves and providing a safe and respectful work environment for LGBT people will allow them to flourish and do better," he explained.

He commended the INMO for hosting the conference and supporting its LGBT members.

"The pace of change in Ireland is quickening and the more bodies and organisations that work to bring about an Ireland where love is embraced, whether it is straight or gay, the closer we will be to relegating homophobic attitudes to history forever," Mr Buttimer added.