Image via WikipediaRussell recently posted his coming out story. It has a few similarities to my own coming out experience. Mainly the fact that we both came out after coming in contact with LGBT Organisations. I suppose that shows there is a need for LGBT's both in and out of Colleges.When I read Russell's post I actually get quite emotional as it from the heart and is very personal. My own one pails in significance, in my own opinion. But my coming out was quite boring in retrospect and not really surprising to many people. Russell was faced with something of course I didn't. Coming out in rural Ireland. Russell lives in Listowel, Co. Kerry. A proper country area, with absolutely no gay scene at all in Kerry. For any sort of night time entertainment on a regular basis, you have to...
Image via WikipediaI saw an ad for this in this months GCN and there is a thread on GayCork.com about it too. So what are they? From the blurb The GALAS are Ireland’s first annual awards celebrating contributions to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) life in Ireland. We want you to tell us who you think deserves to be honoured for their contributions in 2008 at our very special awards ceremony later this year. The nomination process is easy, and you can nominate as many times in as many categories as you like.The GALA Awards are being run by the the National Lesbian and Gay Federation of Ireland who publish GCN.There are 11 Categories up for Grabs. # Person of the YearThe person you feel has most contributed to the advancement of equality and social acceptance of LGBT people...
Image via WikipediaScott has an excellent post about this campaign in the US on how LGBT People are treated, Hilary Duff took part in the campaign. I have embedded 3 of the ads below but read Scotts post for more on information the campaign.Related articles by ZemantaHilary Duff Releases "That's So Gay" PSAGeorge Spyros: Hilary Duff & Wanda Sykes Anti-Anti Gay Language PSA for GLSEN --...
Image by Getty Images via DaylifeAfter the recent did he mention it or didn't he mention speech by the Pope it is good to see that the English Catholic Church is moving with the times according to GCN.ie. Bishops in England have sent out leaflets urging priest not to use 'heterosexist' language in church. Priest have been told not assume that all Church goers are heterosexual. "Remember that homophobic jokes and asides can be cruel and hurtful - a careless word can mean another experience of rejection and pain,". It is good that part of the Church is waking up to how it talks about part of its congregation. Of course no everyone is happy with this. Lynette Burrows, a Catholic commentator, describes the move as 'pitiful'. She said it was ridiculous that Church leaders appeared to be '...
Image via WikipediaFrom the gays??? What? Really? We are responsible for the downturn in humanity? Has the Pope been having chats with Fred Phelps?I am amazed and disgusted. I find myself in complete agreement with the headline from Froodie's blog "Pope Benedict incites hatred, misunderstanding and probable bullying and violence.". While I know a lot of Catholics don't agree with the Church on everything but this does not help in anyway. A lot of elderly people do listen to the Pope for advice and guidance and him saying things like this do not help.It is a step back for the Church in general. I have a lot of respect for individual priests who hold differing views then the Pope, but this will not help those Catholics who are gay and still hold the Church in high regard.Other blogs have...
Since I got online this evening I have been listening to the 6 new Digital Radio Channels launched by RTÉ today. The 6 channels are: RTÉ Choice, RTÉ Junior, RTÉ Gold, RTÉ 2XM, RTÉ Pulse and RTÉ Chill. You can listen to them via DAB Radio's or on the web via Real Player or Windows Media.A look at the stations.RTÉ Choice is a mainly non-music channel. It features content from RTÉ Radio, BBC World Service, America’s National Public Radio (NPR) network, Deutsche Welle, Radio Netherlands, Radio France International among others.RTÉ Junior is RTÉ's kids channel. I obviously missed all the programming for the day. It is aimed at children aged 2 to 12 the station will broadcast chart music, nursery rhymes and bedtime stories. RTÉ Gold is a playlist radio station with no talking!...
LGBT Noise are holding a protest next Saturday December 6th in Dublin at 13:45pm. The time is a strange one to have a protest isn't it, why not 13:30 or 14:00 makes it easier to remember. Anyway the protest is from the Dáil to the Civil Registry Office on Grand Canal Street "to stand up for the Civil Institution of Marriage". This is according to an email I got from their info list.In the email about the protest LGBT Noise complain about "threats by Cardinal Seán Brady of legal challenges to the recognition of gay and lesbian couples"This may be news to LGBT Noise but the church, as a legal entity, have the right to bring legal challenges against actions they might see as impinging on the Constitution. Gay activists always amaze me, they are the first to use the courts if they think it...
So the Gay Marriage debate continues apace heightened since all the happenings since the passing of Prop 8 in California. Maman Poulet has two excellent posts on some mistakes been made by groups here in Ireland looking for gay marriage and I have to agree whole heatedly with her. She gives some advice and this should be required reading for LGBT Noise and Marriage Equality activists. On one point that I must stress is that where Maman stresses Don’t talk about segregation and apartheid - see here. Find your/our own language to use in this situation and stop using the very different experiences of others.She is correct. A phrase that is far more useful us "Second Class Citizens" and is something that resonates more with people. Its something that people understand more in the context of...
Palin seams to get a lot of bad press lately about her attitudes towards homosexuality, but those of you who pay attention to my google shared items or my friendfeed would have seen that Gaypatriot.com have an excellent post on Palin and her ACTUAL position on homosexuality. The video is below, but do read the original post also.So, while I disagree with how the whole choice thing comes across, but maybe she does think like Bruce comments, that she means choice to come out. So that is the Presidential Candidate and Vice Presidential with good attitudes towards...
Though I am not a chritian (still not sure what I am) I am always heartened of reports in the press of Churches that a Pro-LGBT. One of those churches is the Episcopal Church in the United States. Two Bishops in California have released guidelines for clergy to allow gay marriages to take place in their church. The marriage itself will not be carried out by a clergy member but by the civil registrar. The two Bishops, Marc Andrus, Bishop of California, and Mary Gray-Reeves, Bishop of El Camino Real, deserve great applause and appreciation. This comes about due to the May 15th Supremem Court ruling in California. Also there will be a amendment in the fall elections to try and change the constitution to ban gay marriage. Could be an interesting election, its one I will be watching more then...
I have read two blog posts recently that will send chills down the spine of everyperson in Ireland who has campiagned for Gay Partnerships (Unions, Marriages, Whaterver you want to call em!). Two high profile figures in Biffo's cabinet are not fans of the Gays.One is Tánasite and Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment and the other is Minsiter for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.It was David Garrahy's blog that alerted me to Mary Coughlan's attitude and Maman Poulet who alerted me to Dermot Ahern. This is quite worrying, Dermot Ahern's Derpartment is the one that will be responsible for drafting the legislation and Mary Coughlan will have a lot of sway in Cabinet as Tánaiste. I must say I am disapointed that in Ireland two high profile ministers can be against same-sex unions...
Its not very often I get emotional over a blog post, but there are two over on the PFLAG blog that make me emotional, in fact make me tear up!
The first is by President of PFLAG, John R. Cepek, entitled "Father Knows Best: Having a Gay Son is Great". An excellent post setting out why they are doing it and his expeirences.
The second which also brought a tear to my eye is "You Bet I Am" by...
Last month I wrote a post about Gay Pride, was it Triumphalist or rembering a historical battle for human rights? . The Daily Bohomian yesterday wrote a piece that towards the end touches on Gay Pride and raises some interesting points.
He wrote
I believe that there's a fine line between showing off to deliberately make people feel intimidated and in showing pride just as there's a fine line...
I read a very interesting post over on GayPatriot today on the reaction of Conservative towards Gay Conservatives and the reaction of Gays towards Gay Conservatives. It got me thinking about my own experiences of being a Gay Conservative. The author is actually looking for peoples experiences so I sent along mine which I have reproduced below. (With salutations etc removed!)
I joined Fine Gael...
Well we have had Godhatesfags, Godhatessweden, godhatesamerica and my personal favourite godhatefredphelps. Now we have godhatesireland.Where do people get off?Now i know the WBC, does not speak for all americans, but this kind of hate speech belongs in the past. Calling David Norris a fag (A cigarette in Irish slang, something they have failed to notice) and putting a pink triangle with a shamrock on his picture is not going to offend Norris in any way. He has heard way worse. This is disrespectful to the Irish NationThis is disrespectful to the Catholic Church, while I have no love for the church myself, it cannot all be tarred with one brush.This is disrespectful to Irish LawThis is disrespectful to the ECHR Court and Convention.I feel sick after reading this line"However, the worst...
Found this article over on gay.com and i love it!Gay sex fuels Anglican brawlStewart Who?Rumblings of a ‘schism’ have plagued the Anglican Church ever since election of the openly gay bishop of New Hampshire, Gene Robinson, in 2003. The liberals who support the timely election have spent the past few years been deflecting the curses of those who feel it’s in contravention to the teachings of the Bible.The Archbishop of Canterbury has been a bipartisan wader in this spiritual river of discontent. He's optimistically hoped, and no doubt prayed, to save the 78 million-strong worldwide Anglican communion from cracking like a big,God-shaped egg.Unfortunately, it looks like Anglican omlette will be on the menu as Rowan Williams prepares to fly to Tanzania for a meeting of the church's...
After my last post on Nigeria, I've found two interesting blog posts over on FACT OR FICTION on the issue. One is a post on Nigeria's human right obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.The second is an open letter to the President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo. USI LGBT have a page on their website about Nigeria, and what they are advocating to do, including contact details for the Nigerian Embassy in Dublin. Organisations supporting the abandonment of this Bil:Africa Action, United States African Human Rights Organization, Cameroon Alliance Rights, Nigeria Center for Democracy and Development, Nigeria Centre d'Etudes et de Recherche en Droits de l'Homme - Démocratie et Justice...
What a turn around for the Catholic church, story here (Telegraph). Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has taken the controversial step of allowing fortnightly Masses in his Westminster diocese specifically for homosexuals.Wooo! I now officially love the Cardinal! :POf course not everyone is happy with the decision, despite the fact that it is backed by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome, the most powerful of the Vatican's departments.Juventutem na hEireann - Oige Caitliceach Traidisiunta, who i robbed the title off seam to have a problem with it saying that sodomy is a sin which 'cries out to Heaven for vengeance.'and also attacks secularisation in the same post warning us of the Day of Judgement. I think people tend to forget, as a result of their 'indifferentism' that...
From the USI LGBT WebsiteWe will be assembling from 12.30pm on Thursday March 1st, in the Front Square of Trinity College Dublin, and then, - route subject to Garda clearance, - marching to the Department of Health on Hawkin’s Street. There will be a short demonstration there, with one or two guest speakers, and there will then begin a 24-hour vigil outside the department.!!COME OUT AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT DURING LUNCH!!Giving blood is seen as a civic duty in many countries as it allows many life-saving operations to take place. But imagine your are not allowed to give blood, not because you are a IV drug user or engaged in unsafe sex, but for the simple fact you are Gay.This is highly discriminatory and has been continually opposed by USI LGBTWhat is disgusting and homophobic about this...
Deputy,I am writing to you on a matter of extreme urgency. The Labour Parties Bill on Civil Unions is due before the Dáil next week, and is due to go for a vote on Wednesday. I urge you as a concerned constituent to vote for this bill as it will vastly improve the quality of life for many Lesbian and Gay couples who are in a current state of legal limbo, in regards to partnership rights. Also if you vote for this measure I will encourage family and friends to consider voting for you at the upcoming election.I look forward to hearing from you on this issue.Yours in Pride-- Stephen Spillane Southern Area Officer Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Working Group Stíofán O'SpealáinOifigiúil Ceantair an DeiscirtGrúpa Obair na Leispiach, na...
Via USI LGBT (email so no link)"Nigeria seems certain to legislate one of the world's most sweeping and repressive anti-gay laws, unless international pressure is bought to bear on the Nigerian government in the next few weeks," Peter Tatchell has stated.The leader or OUTRage! went on to say, "We appeal to gay and human rights groups worldwide to take urgent action to press the Nigerian government to uphold international human rights law and to drop this draconian legislation."A new bill, currently being debated in the Nigerian parliament, is the most comprehensively homophobic legislation ever proposed in any country in the world. Its extremism is rivalled only by the death penalty that exists for homosexuality in several Islamic fundamentalist states," added Mr Tatchell."The bill is...
Im doing research at the moment on hate crime as part of overall research for the SGMHP and it came to the point of how am i going to back up my version of a hate crime so i did a few searches to see if any would back me up!Ill give my version firstFor the purpose of this survey a hate crime is any physical or verbal attack; where the victim is primarily targeted because of his or her perceived sexual orientation.(Spillane, S 2007, to be published)and i found the following definitions for hate crime:n. A crime motivated by prejudice against a social group: "[His]murders were hate crimes targeting victims by gender" (Jane Caputi and Diana E.H. Russell). American Heritage Dictionary Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth EditionCopyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.Published by...
One of my friends sent the above clip to me and it really shows that homophobia is not limited to any person, place or class in society. We all have a duty to treat everyone equally. I think T.R. was very brave in coming out, its not very easy for someone in the limelight to come out, but i wish him continued success and may he prove an excellent roll-model for young gay man.Shame on Isiah...
Hey all, I've recently been getting a lot of hits from this website due to my recent post on 'State to let transsexuals alter gender in passports'It looks like a great resource for T members of the LGBT community and even have suicide prevention trained moderators. What an excellent idea! From the home pageWe are a personal Transgender support site and the only one with youth suicide prevention moderators online. Visit our certified moderators in the live chat rooms.The site is aimed at the following This Support site deals with Transsexual, Transgender, Transgenderists, Crossdresser, Androgyne, Intersexed and Transvestites. We also support (MTF) Male to Females, (FTM) Female to Males, Transwomen, Transmen, families, wives, partners and friends.A fantastic support site. I wish there more...
Paris, November 20, 2006 — Prof. Louis-Georges Tin, president of the International Committee for IDAHO (the International Day Against Homophobia), today announced the launching of a global petition campaign for a proposed United Nations resolution in favor of the universal decriminalization of homosexuality.“With more than 70 countries in the world still making homosexuality a crime by law — and punishable by death in twelve of them — this is a legal scandal which the petition for a proposed U.N. resolution decriminalizing homosexuality gives people a concrete way to fight,” Tin said.The International Committee for IDAHO coordinates world-wide annual observances of the Day Against Homophobia each May 17 — and in this, its second year, IDAHO was marked by events in over 50...
Via BreakingNews.ieThe motion was on the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) RegulationsDuring the debate, the DUP and Ulster Unionist Party criticised the British government for implementing the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations in the North on January 1 ahead of the rest of the UK and for holding only a two-month consultation in the North.For a change im glad that Sinn Fein are on this side of EqualityAfter a tense two-hour debate at Stormont, 39 Assembly members voted in favour of the DUP motion and 39 against.The dead heat meant that the motion was not carried.SF, accussed the DUP of HomophobiaSinn Féin equality spokeswoman Caitriona Ruane accused the DUP of whipping up homophobic sentiment with the motion."This motion is part of yesterday's agenda, part of the bad old days...
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Under 18s Lesbian Gay Bi & Trans D.I.S.C.O.BeLonG To Youth Project brings you Dublin’s only under 18’s LGBT club night - returning for its fifth and bestest Bopp! Doors €5. Open at 8pm at Filmbase, Curved Street, Temple Bar. Expect fabulous frolics, pretty performers, elfish excitement, and a Rockin Robin inspired disco. Everyone is welcome, so spread the word and bring your straight friends and your neighbour’s reindeer.BeLonG To Youth Project works with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) young people in Ireland. It supports and resources them to actively participate in the world around them, and provides them with a space where they can experience inclusion, acceptance, social justice, fun and safety.BeLonG To meets every Sunday (for LGBT youth aged 14-23): 3.30 -...
Public Service Announcement by Erase The Hate National Organization. PLEASE NOTE: Some of the images contained in this PSA may be too graphic for some people. Viewer Discretion is Advised.ILGA Adoption AdAmercanized version of a popular Nowegian Ad about LGBT YouthAbsolute Cut...
Transfusion Service needs more blood donationsThe Irish Blood Transfusion Service needs four thousand people to donate blood every week between now and Christmas.With hospital demand increasing significantly over the last two months, sixteen thousand donations are required to ensure that stocks are maintained.According to the IBTS holiday times are traditionally difficult as donations are generally lower.Click here for the IBTS donation clinics locationsAs usual the IBTS are calling for more blood donations. If you are in a poisition to dontate blood please do. I myself may need a blood transfusion soon (hopefully not). But of course the IBTS changed their position on Gay Men giving blood, I myself would be the first in line to give blood.What I dont get if France, Russia, Portugal can...
http://www.lawreform.ie/#Third%20Annual%20Conference%202006%20Cohabitation:%20Models%20for%20Legal%20Reform At the above link the Law Reforms Commission's Report on Rights and Duties of Cohabitants which was published yesterday. Also availible at the above link is the Draft Cohabitants Bill...