Sinn Féin will lead the world on LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) rights, the party’s ardfheis has been told.

LGBT rights officer Chris Curran, who hit out at Russia's anti-gay laws and propaganda, said Sinn Féin's published discussion document on the issue would result in a world-leading policy on such rights.

Speaking about the RTÉ homophobia controversy, he praised Rory O'Neill, who performs as Panti Bliss, and said: "Panti, Sinn Féin LGBT commends you, for you represent the Ireland of tomorrow."

'Right-wing ideas'

Mr Curran added that while Ireland was not as oppressive as Russia it was "not immune from such right-wing ideas", which "push LGBT people into the corner of their lives with isolation, loneliness and low self-image".

The Dublin-based rights officer said Ireland was a country where transgender people were still not properly recognised under the law, where the gay community’s blood was not acceptable to blood banks, and where gay health workers and teachers still worked under threat.

He said LGBT people were more likely to self-harm, to abuse drugs and alcohol or to suffer mental-health issues.