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HERE TO CHALLENGE! A GUIDE TO WHATS HAPPENING IN LGBT BRIGHTON & HOVE
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Homophobia Is Alive and Kicking In Ireland
By Maurice Fitzgerald,
Jun 5, 2011 - 7:41:46 PM
Jun 5, 2011 - 7:41:46 PM
Homophobic racism is raging in Irish journalism against Irish presidential candidate and gay rights campaigner Senator David Norris.
Nothing short of a vicious smear campaign has begun against a man who has beaten the Irish Catholic-run state in the European courts and forced a u-turn on criminalisation through legislation of the Irish LGBT community which had been on the statute books as late as 1993.
An ageing female journalist Helen Lucy Burke has come out of the wood work with a interview and an article written almost a decade ago in a Irish political magazine, quoting references by Mr. Norris on incest and on the age of consent which are disputed by Mr. Norris as taken completely out of context.
Opinion and interpretation seem to be significant factors surrounding what is claimed to be a damning article by Helen Burke, who for some reason felt compelled now to come forward, even though his comments appeared to cause no controversy at the time.
The Irish media, and especially the press, which is strewn with ultra-conservative Catholics are giving a man who has won favour with a lot of wider community and is seen as a non-corrupt politician, a very tough time.
The progress of the gay movement in Ireland and those who fought for it could get a rude awakening if the vilification against the gay presidential hopeful continues the way it has.
Gscene should keep a very careful eye on David Norris's presidential campaign in what some believe is still a very backward country. Mr. Norris's campaign is already drawing overtones from conservatives who may not want him to run as a gay presidential candidate because he has a different life style.
One wonders if real sexuality-neutral sociological progress in Ireland is purely aspirational, despite what can only be token legislation?
Maurice Fitzgerald,
Shanbally,
County Cork
Nothing short of a vicious smear campaign has begun against a man who has beaten the Irish Catholic-run state in the European courts and forced a u-turn on criminalisation through legislation of the Irish LGBT community which had been on the statute books as late as 1993.
An ageing female journalist Helen Lucy Burke has come out of the wood work with a interview and an article written almost a decade ago in a Irish political magazine, quoting references by Mr. Norris on incest and on the age of consent which are disputed by Mr. Norris as taken completely out of context.
Opinion and interpretation seem to be significant factors surrounding what is claimed to be a damning article by Helen Burke, who for some reason felt compelled now to come forward, even though his comments appeared to cause no controversy at the time.
The Irish media, and especially the press, which is strewn with ultra-conservative Catholics are giving a man who has won favour with a lot of wider community and is seen as a non-corrupt politician, a very tough time.
The progress of the gay movement in Ireland and those who fought for it could get a rude awakening if the vilification against the gay presidential hopeful continues the way it has.
Gscene should keep a very careful eye on David Norris's presidential campaign in what some believe is still a very backward country. Mr. Norris's campaign is already drawing overtones from conservatives who may not want him to run as a gay presidential candidate because he has a different life style.
One wonders if real sexuality-neutral sociological progress in Ireland is purely aspirational, despite what can only be token legislation?
Maurice Fitzgerald,
Shanbally,
County Cork
More Articles by Maurice Fitzgerald,
2-May-2012
Child abusing church declares war on the gay community
20-Apr-2012
Have we really progressed with equality?
11-Apr-2012
Don't hold your breath on Irish reform
2-Oct-2011
Irish politics has reached a crossroad on the 'gay' issue
4-Sep-2011
Road running is a mugs game
14-Aug-2011
Tatchell is spot on
4-Aug-2011
No room for gays in the Irish establishment?
31-Jul-2011
Amy has become another statistic
29-Jul-2011
Catholic Church still controls the outcome of Irish Presidential Elections
5-Jul-2011
Aids is off the political agenda
View all articles by Maurice Fitzgerald,
