Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Beat the Bigots - Support Gay Pride!

Ross Hallinan

As I am sure a lot of you were, I was horrified at DUP MP Iris Robinson’s comments on homosexuals and her beliefs that ‘they could be turned’ with counselling. Such a disgraceful comment, unfortunately, is not surprising from a DUP elected representative, remembering Ian Paisley Junior’s infamous Hot Press interview.


As someone who knows how excruciatingly difficult and painful it is to accept yourself to be homosexual, and to inform your loved ones, I find Mrs Robinson’s comments completely irresponsible, offensive, and bigoted. Such behaviour is totally unbecoming from an elected representative.

The sheer audacity to suggest that a homosexual could be ‘turned’ is totally unbecoming from a woman who is elected to represent people from all walks of life, and an immediate and sincere apology should be forthcoming from Mrs Robinson. We are supposed to be living in a new, cosmopolitan Ireland, where people are accepted for who they are, but certain people seem to think they can abuse their position of authority and power to portray their negative, bigoted views.

But there is a way that the bigots can be ignored, and I would call on all Irish Republicans to support the initiatives of Gay Pride Ireland, with enthusiasm.



Very soon the annual Gay Pride festival will kick off in Dublin. Events celebrating Gay Pride will range from fundraisers for Gay Pride Ireland to street carnivals and parades.

I call on all Ógra Shinn Féin members to make a special effort to show solidarity with the fantastic work done by Gay Pride Ireland by attending these, or other events. Details can be obtained from myself at gerbasher7@hotmail.com.

Beat the bigots! Support Gay Pride!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Fair play to ya ross, bril piece. Ógra need to visible at these events as a show of solidarity.
Bigotry has no place in Ireland

Michael Co. Down

Ross said...

lets get a banner and activists to march behind it for the Dublin parade!! Email me my mail is on the post... I've some fine ideas Ógra activists could do to show solidarity.

Ross

Anonymous said...

I hope I see Ogra out in Belfast over the summer!

Anonymous said...

there's an old but kinda nice banner downstairs in 44 Ross. Good man on the post hope you'll give the same respect to the cause of womens liberation in future also.

While I'm away in July Ógra should do its best to get involved in supporting the gay pride events around them, whether pinking up the free derry wall or marching at Pride.

Anonymous said...

Nice post, didnt know u were gay ross but sure there ye go!!