The Minister for Health must come out and publicly state whether she believes it is fitting that a publicly funded body should proceed with a controversial conference where the headline male speaker promotes men ‘breastfeeding’ and inducing lactation in males.
The Association of Lactation Consultants (ALCI) has caused uproar and deep public disquiet over its planned Conference in October where an individual, Jacob Engelsman, who is well known in America for promoting men ‘lactating’ for sexual gratification is down to speak.
Aontú Senator Sarah O’ Reilly says
“I am shaking my head as I write this as it really is beyond ludicrous and stretches the bounds of any rationale, biology or common sense.
Does Jennifer Carroll McNeill really believe that a man, who is best known for his views on men ‘breastfeeding’ in order to satisfy some weird curiosity they have should be funded by taxpayers to come and talk at this conference?.
I have written to the Minister (Letter attached) outlining my grave concerns.
What is particularly concerning is that Mr Engelsman has previously discussed men inducing lactation for reasons including “curiosity, fun, or sexual gratification”. He has also previously given a presentation entitled
“Inducing Lactation for Kinksters” and has spoken at an adult lifestyle and fetish convention.
Using babies or children for one’s sexual gratification is child sexual abuse and I for one will not run or hide from calling this out for what it is .
Understandably the public has voiced its disgust and disquiet to this speaker being platformed and in the wake of this backlash the ALCI has issued statement on its website announcing a “change” to its advertised conference programme for October 9th and 10th The ALCL
ALCI states that it has paused ticket sales and temporarily removed the conference timetable and speaker details while its Council considers its next steps, adding that it is “currently exploring options.”
However, it is frustratingly vague and perhaps deliberately so.
It states that it has changed its conference programme but is still advertising that it is looking forward to “two inspiring days of learning, networking and professional development “ and has an exciting programme featuring national and international speakers” .
So, the questions remain.
Is this event going ahead?
Is Engelsman still speaking?
Or is ALCI simply trying to ride the storm of public anger and hope that the inertia that allows this woke and dangerous ideological nonsense to take root in society provides the perfect safety blanket?
Platforming this dangerous ideology is becoming more and more prevalent.
The relentless push by shrill ideologues is becoming more and more bizarre
The Minister for Health and the HSE simply cannot stand back while such a contentious event like this, organised in the guise of ‘healthcare, is so offensive to many people including healthcare professionals, including nurses, midwives and lactation consultants who have raised serious concerns.
Naturally, Mothers have raised serious concerns. As a mother myself, I am horrified.
“The HSE and Minister for Health need to explain how an event connected to healthcare, involving healthcare professionals and receiving public support, could reach this point without adequate scrutiny of its programme and speakers.”
Does the HSE not recognise the huge moral and ethical questions around this?
It is staggering to think that a publicly funded body, established to help women breastfeed and encourage them to do so , should in fact invite a MAN to speak about breastfeeding for men.
At times like this I really feel I am living in a parallel universe where all common sense is thrown out the window.
Babies and their safety and basic human rights and dignity should not be sacrificed on the altar of woke
Common sense should not be sacrificed on the altar of woke absurdity
Biological facts should not be sacrificed on the altar of work absurdity and misguided ‘familial inclusion and diversity’
Tax payers money should not be sacrificed on the altar of woke absurdity.
People are getting really sick and sorry sore of this rubbish, but it is downright dangerous when it strays into an area where little, tiny babies are ‘incidental’ to the ‘rights’ of delusional men, and those who promote and cheerlead them”
The HSE and the ACLI have SERIOUS questions to answer here”.
