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COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE currently staging a demonstration outside the Russian Embassy in Dublin.
The gay rights protest is just one of many protests taking place across the world against the Russian government ahead of the Winter Olympics which is set to begin in Sochi in two days.
Speaking on Newstalk, Laura Harmon is Vice President for Equality and Citizenship with the USI said they wanted to support the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) people in Russia and wanted what is happening in Russia to be condemned.
Lobbying
She added that they will be increasing their lobbying over the coming weeks.
The Students’ Union Council said in a statement that this is their response to “Russia’s ongoing violations of Human Rights Law and persecution of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Queer (LGBTQ) people” adding “the failing international efforts to protest for repeal of the ‘Anti-Gay Propaganda Laws’ in Russia owes to the inaction of the powerful and the lack of orchestration of common efforts in different countries throughout the world”.
Trinity College Students’ Union (TCDSU) Tom Lenihan said the protest is “an act of solidarity to the wider LGBTQ community. We want to send a message to Russia that continuing with this violence and intimidation is not acceptable and make our voices heard in whatever way possible”.
TCDSU said they are “an outspoken advocate for the rights of the LGBTQ community and a proponent of Marriage Equality in Ireland”.
Gay rights protests are expected to take place in cities all around the world – including the UK and Australia.
Last year, Russia banned the promotion of “non-traditional” sexuality which makes providing information on homosexuality to under 18-year-olds.
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Fifth article on this topic and it’s not even lunchtime! Plenty of other minorities who need media attention also you know.
Which of those minorities are not allowed to marry in Ireland and are routinely assaulted on the streets of Moscow?
They’re going to ram it down our throats until we accept it. But what will they do then?
Intellectually disabled people throughout the world have been treated disgracefully, many for their entire lives. This includes being subject to physical assault in institutions (as one of my own relatives was in Ireland). In fact, it still happens in a lot of countries to this day. Where’s the outcry on that?
Foxy, you just showed your absolute ignorance and lost all credibility. It is not a choice. If it was, do you think young people struggling to come to terms with their sexuality would have the highest suicide rates? Please pinpoint the exact time and how you came to decide to be heterosexual?
@Foxy,
It’s not an alternative lifestyle choice, but even if it was, so what…
What two consenting adults do together privately is nobodies business and if it bothers you then you really need to take a hard look at why it does, because it’s your problem…
@Alpha Charlie
what’s so bad about accepting that gay people have equal rights, and a right to exist without ridicule and prejudice? How would that be a bad thing? How would making the world, or the country, a more tolerant, compassionate place for us all to live, be a bad thing???
It is a choice
Granted they are born with these urges They chose to have gay sex
I’m a straight man which is a lot more difficult than being a gay man I have to raise children and help provide for a family
Come to think of it of I was born gay life would be easy
Now as far as loosing credibility if the gay community don’t like me I’m not going to loose one minute of sleep
Frank
I’m not bothered by it If I was I would say it. Trust me on that
Don’t moan at me and suggest I’m homophobic because you’re annoyed at the journal
Mike is anyone stopping you from raising the issue? You could do something couldn’t you. Go organise a protest, write to the HSE or the media. Whatever you want- no one here will stop you.
So we should choose to act as you see fit? The support for SSM and the community in Russia spreads far beyond the direct LGBT community. You think society should be able to dictate who people can share their lives with. You are ignorant, plain and simple.
@Foxys Bicycle (nice camp sounding name by the way)
Yes, we are born with our sexuality and yes we do choose to express is, just like you choose to express yours, You are a homophobe, and studies have been done linking homophobes to suppressed homosexual desire… Maybe you should go and get some therapy for your homophobic neurosis…
More difficult for a straight man you say? Give me a break..
Most gay people go through years wishing they were straight..
We go through hell in adolescence trying to come to terms with our sexuality…
Your irrational fear and loathing of homosexuality has nothing to do with gay people and everything to do with your own psyche… check yourself before you feel you have he right to judge others solely on their sexuality..
God help your kids is all I can say…
A homophobic Dad… Vile…
Mike, write an article for the Journal if you think an important issue is being overlooked. My experience with them was that they were absolutely lovely and helpful – but it’s disappointing that you think the two experiences are in direct conflict with each other. After all, plenty of LGBT people suffer from disabilities.
Frank your a real tough guy aren’t you behind that keyboard
The only insulting I see on this thread is coming from gay people
As far as insulting my family just goes to show how frustrated you are with your lifestyle choice
@Foxys Bicycle,
Your homophobia is an insult, why should gay people have to endure your homophobic crap? Your the one with the issues about homosexuality, why do you fear and loath it so much? what is it you hate about yourself so much that you feel the need to harbor so much bile for others who have no impact on your life?…
I am not frustrated with my sexuality, you obviously are…
So foxy – for a gay man having sex is a choice but for a straight man having children isn’t?
Foxy – it is a choice to express our sexuality in the same way it is a choice to express yours. By that logic being straight is a lifestlye choice too. And by the same token nobody forced you to have a family so take your obnoxious complaints about the difficulties of being a straight man somewhere else.
@Frank I can’t find anything Foxy said that makes him a homophobe. Care to quote? He merely pointed out that he’s tired of reading the same story and the same comments over and over again. The sooner this referendum happens and it’s equal rights all round the better.
Frankly I’m straight and im full support of equality but I’m tired of the same story again and again
Foxy your comments only serve to show how far removed you are from the difficulties facing homosexual people and couples, so don’t bother lecturing is on the hardship of your family life. Many in the gay community would envy you.
First it was the Race card now its the Gay card, anyone who disagrees with the LGBT agenda is now a homophobe, just like anyone who disagrees with Israel is anti-Semitic , and whats with all this talk of oppression? What rights do Gay people not have in Ireland other than the right to not marry??
Foxys there is no need for any one to insult as you are a walking insult to yourself.
@ Mike O’Neill, you raise an important point about the treatment of intellectually disabled people. What is stopping you organising a rally outside, say, the Department of Health? These rallies are organised and publicised by ordinary people. Nothing stopping you highlighting an important issues.
@Emma, thanks for your permission.
There was 1 article published each year in 2011, 2012 and 2013 on intellectual disabilities but there have been 5 alone this morning on this topic. Can you accept that there is a bias towards stories on gay-related issues on here, perhaps at the expense of other issues? The referendum can’t come soon enough so people can have their say.
@see my vest
Foxy reeks of homophobia, consistently referring to it as a ‘lifestyle choice’ is a deliberate attempt to inflame and annoy…
People are allowed to have opinions Frank. If Foxy wants to be a homophobe he is entitled to be one. You can’t just keep saying homophobic people are secretly gay. I’m not homophobic but i am sick to death of people using the word homophobe as an insult and acting like it’s a crime to have an opinion that isn’t in favour of the gay community. The gay community is now doing exactly what was done to them and they don’t even realize it. Some people just don’t like it, it’s not that they have a deep hatred of something deep inside themselves. They Just don’t like it and they don’t have to like it and they don’t have to accept it. I understand you are looking for equal rights but for your own sake stop ramming it down our throats.
@alpha, don’t be flattering yourself! I’m sure that gays won’t be ramming anything down your throat! If you don’t want to read stories on the journal about gay equality then don’t click onto the article! Simple!
@foxy, when did you choose to be heterosexual? Do you think that you can just change your preference and suddenly become homosexual?
Foxy my same sex partner raises two children. One of my closest gay mates has successfully raised three kids.
Here’s some areas of discrimination LGBTQI people face under Irish law:
•Freedom to marry their partner.
•We may be refused employment, fired, demoted or otherwise discriminated against in state-funded jobs in schools and hospitals.
•Intersex and transgender people are denied the right to have their gender reflected in their official documents, ie passports, drivers licenses etc.
•Any man who has ever had any sexual contact with another man (even oral sex, once, with a condom 30 years ago) is permanently banned from donating blood – whereas a straight man may have unprotected sex with an HIV+ prostitute and donate blood 366 days later without undergoing testing.
And this doesn’t even cover the bullying in schools, and the bashings on the street (2 of my friends have been savagely attacked in the last 9 months).
And then I read whining, self-pitying remarks below articles on the Journal about how tired some people are of seeing reporting on these issues
You poor wee things, how awful for you!
Try skipping the articles if they offend you so much, but at least have the nous to recognize that this is far from a settled issue in our society, and part of the reason is the distaste you have for confronting the absurd violence and discrimination that LGBTQI people endure, here and throughout the world.
Maybe direct your energies to solving problems rather than expressing contempt that they are being discussed at all.
Jesus Frank go easy on the insults!!! Its a place for discussions not character assassination!
For anyone who questions the newsworthiness of this, have a watch:
@Max
“Freedom to marry their partner” – Marriage in Ireland is defined in law as been between a man and a woman and that cannot change without the will of the people, feel free to enter a civil partnership, i understand that these carry less rights as marriage and I personally feel the government should address this rather than wasting time and money on a referendum!
“We may be refused employment, fired, demoted or otherwise discriminated against in state-funded jobs in schools and hospitals”. – Prove it, Can’t? Thats because it doesn’t happen, i have had many gay colleagues in various jobs, one of my leaving cert teachers was gay and that was in the early 90′s
“And this doesn’t even cover the bullying in schools, and the bashings on the street (2 of my friends have been savagely attacked in the last 9 months). ” – Bullying affects all children equally, a bully will always find a reason to pick on someone, Gay kids are not the only ones who get bullied, I’m sorry to hear about your friends but people are attacked for different reasons on our streets on a daily basis, generally the people who commit these kinds of acts don’t need much of an excuse!
The blood donation thing? Yep doesn’t make sense, its a the discretion of the blood banks but donating blood is not a right!
John I’m delighted to see you think a referendum is unnecessary. I also believe civil rights should not be down to the will of the people. I think it should be legislated for, plain and simple. Unfortunately that hasn’t happened. As a result, we have to fight for our rights.
Wow max, bit heavy on that one. I’d say that one took away all of your energy. It will be difficult for you to continue being fabulous
John, ove 90% of schools, though state funded, are under the management of religious authorities (remember the Mater controversy over abortions?)
All religiously run institutions have an exemption from employment equality law, Section 37 I(b)
Not all apply that exemption in order to discriminate against LGBT teachers, doctors etc, but they can if they wish. And LGBT employees in those institutions knows that they risk a cleric on the board taking a dislike to them, and bullying/discriminating/ denying promotion to them if they are open about their identity.
I agree with you that bullying affects all students, but it disproportionally affects LGBT students. And interestingly, addressing homophobic bullying has a positive effect on straight students:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140121131038.htm
So let’s batter some other minority group and you will feel better? You like Lucinda?
Did you choose to be come heterosexual Foxy?
Nicole, I want nobody beaten up.
What of like is to change hearts and minds through conversation
John, nowhere in Irish law is marriage defined as being between a man and a woman.
In the internet age, there is no excuse for forming strong opinions before educating yourself on the topic at hand.
No I was born straight the way homosexuals are born homosexual but it’s a lifestyle choice to have gay sex
Now with that said it was my choice to have sex with women I could of not had sex at all
Bottom line everyone has a choice gays and straight
We are sexual beings, humans. Sexual desire is an important motivational state. It would be a ‘choice’ to suppress your sexuality, not to do the natural thing and engage it.
So you accept that heterosexuals and homosexuals are born that way.
Can I just ask, are you then advocating that homosexuals should just abstain?
It was my intention to support gay marriage
But after the aggression shown towards me and the insults that were cowardly said about my children I have changed my mind
Sean
No I don’t think they should
I do think that they have that choice as do heterosexuals
Foxys I disagree. Your way of life was not criminalised for the first 72 yrs of this State unless gay people.
“unlike” i mean.
Cool ok,
Just wanted to clarify this.
While I don’t claim to speak for anyone but myself, I’d be very much inclined to say that the vitriol on both sides of this debate from the extreme corners is disgusting.
I have to say that while it saddens me that you’d vote no, given the character assassination going on here (with you and others on both sides), it’s sadly understandable.
All I’d do is implore you to reconsider and not let the harsh words of a few impact the decision you have before you which will impact on countless more, possibly for generations to come.
Eamon
Had it been criminalised none of us would of been born
Sean
I’m sure when the time comes I will do the right thing
Foxys, if you want everyone to “go forth and multiply” you will have overpopulation and famine like Africa. Gay people are evolutions way of population control. Demographers say that by 2025, Africa will only be able feed 25% of its people. You don’t want to starve do you?
Sorry to resort to ad hominem, but you come across as an idiot. You’re a straight, presumably white male; you have a free pass in life. Educate yourself. And don’t be offended when people call out your opinions as homophobic. Because when someone’s opinions, ie. yours, infringe on someone else’s civil rights, they have every right to call it discriminatory and homophobic.
I hope with some learning you can see that SSM may potentially affect someone you know, someone who’s afraid to come out or even your children.
Gay people have been around as long as straight people so if gay people are evolutions way of population control it isn’t working
And I seriously doubt most gay people will agree with you as they are looking to adopt children and it’s a myth that the stork leaves them
Sorry if it wasn’t obvious, my comment was directed at Foxys.
Peter
Dry your eyes
Nobody said population control is working. A lot of evolutions ploys don’t work. For Christ sake, I’m ginger! I’m allergic to sun!!!
The fact is that society should not force people to behave in a way that isnt natural when it harms nobody
When you are part of an oppressed or discriminated against group you have to fight for your rights, they are generally not handed over willingly, its easy to complain when you haven’t had to fight for the same rights as others.
Ailbhe, you’re right, it should just be a matter of civil rights, its safer, however from a legal perspective to have a referendum and get the law into the constitution, otherwise you’ll have the likes of Iona, YD et al keeping the law tied up in court for years and being a general nuisance . Judging by all the opinion polls, it looks most likely that the referendum will pass.
Peter why do you gay people like insulting young children
@Foxys
My sexuality is a non-issue and nothing I said is insulting to children of any age.
Mike, why don’t you just read The Daily Mail online instead, they have a bias towards articles on how gays, women and immigrants are causing the downfall of society. You don’t HAVE to read The Journal.
jezz at least you don’t wanna beat them up…..but you think you can talk to someone and persuade them not to be gay etc?? This gets better….well said Nicole your a pillar of sense in here
.
‘We’re here, we’re queer, we don’t want anymore bears!’
Beers?
Tis a Simpsons reference. Didn’t mean to offend any members of the LGBT community, or bears for that matter.
Everyone’s ‘offended’ nowadays about sweet FA!
Homer heard the chant at a moustache parade.
All above board.
@Rodrigo,
Gay people are rallying for equal rights, it’s a shame that you don’t see the importance of that…
It’s a topic people are interested in. It’s an issue that is important with an upcoming referendum and its an issue that has been highlighted by the money grabbing homophobic and litigious individuals that have been bowed to all to easily in recent weeks. If you don’t like it, don’t read it
Nah not really Ailbhe, there are more important things happening in the world right now, go to any other media outlet (bar the Journal) and you wont see 10% of the articles that appear here!
For sure not beers!
@John, skip over articles that don’t interest you, don’t be a martyr!
Gay people have as many rights as anyone else and socially acceptable to only the most bigoted old school god botherer. The problem now is some in the gay community are not satisfied with acceptance they now want to shove their agenda down everyones throats. putin was banning gay propaganda to kids under 18 and damn right too.this lefty liberal shite must stop. Years down the line yet another failed experiment of gay parents will result in broken lives and another round of state abuse payments. Promotion of the gay agenda in schools will be rife. (Its already going on in other countries) Mix gender bathrooms mandatory in case someone gets offended. Late term post term abortions? These leftys are fascists who aren happy until they are ramming their agendas down everyones throat. But thats not cool to say it now
Morris,
Can you please outline the “Gay Agenda” for me?
What about straight propaganda Morris?
Officially its supposed to be about protecting children but in practice it is being interpreted as a criminalisation of all homosexuality. The police do nothing or even join in gaybashing incidents.
Morris, you might want to educate yourself a bit more about the “gay propaganda” law, and how it is applied. The growing rate of suicides among LGBT teens and hate crimes against people *suspected* to be LGBT would also give you some hints on implications of these laws.
What in blazes are ya on about? Straight propaganda? Thats a first. I aint never heard of no straight propaganda group? Straight parades. Straight rights.have you? Im not having a go at the gay community. Just gettin tired of hearin about it all the time and this lefty liberal agenda we are all suppoosed to swallow
Sure. Gay parents should be allowed adopt. Kids. Hands up all those who would sign up for that social experiment. The teaching of “diversity in schools” have a read here . http://standupforthetruth.com/2013/06/students-taught-about-homosexual-foreplay-disguised-as-tolerance/. The promotion of alternative culture to kids in school is going beyond the beyonds. We can all learn acceptance of alternative lifestyles but the lefties want it to be taught in schools to kids. This is the sort of thing im talking about. Its not the business of the state to be doing this. The agenda im talking about is all for this
@Morris
First of all separate abortion and SSM, they are two completely different issues. Secondly what is the ‘gay agenda’? Thirdly banning any type of pro-LGBT content that could be shown to minors is extremely devolved. LGBT teens struggling with their sexuality in Russia will see it as ‘wrong’. Violence and suicide has thus undoubtedly increased. How can you agree with that?
Its not the business of the state to be teaching this in schools. Period!. Overall im talking about the left liberal agenda which is in the business of dictating to everyone how they should think via politcal corectness and what values they should have and making sure noone is offended. They also despise pro lifers who care about the unborn and anyone of a religious bent now has to hide their religious affiliation ( im not religious) in case these lunatics become god forbid “offended”. Each to his own i say but thats not good enough anymore for the liberal fascist leftie. Before we had the church telling everyone how to think and what to think on pain of hell. Now we have these luders telling us what values we should have or else we have committed a thought crime.
God forbid someone should get offended. I hear its fatal these days
@Morris.
I’m sorry but that’s just unintelligible waffle. You didn’t answer my question. Why must the church and religion be continuously brought into this debate? It’s a civil issue. It’s a rights issue. And yes, if you oppose it because of an aversion to LGBT people you are homophobic. And just as you call out your so called ‘liberal left fascists’, others will continue to call out homophobes, such as yourself.
“Allowed adopt” says it all
Equality is not enough.
Privilege is the goal.
Homophobes ? ( that means ) anyone who is not “Gay”.
I see. If i dont buy into global warming then i must be a climate change denier. If i criticise israel i must be anti semetic. If i dont fully cooperate with all the needs and demands of the lesbian and gay community then i must be a homophobe. Theres no middle ground with you guys is there?
@Morris
Okay here’s the picture. This is about equality for LGBT people in Ireland; yes there are other oppressed minorities in the world, but this has nothing, and I repeat nothing, to do with that. It has nothing to do with what you or anyone else believes about other unrelated issues. Your use of irrelevant comparisons, honestly, is tiring, self-weakening and non-comparable.
You are completely missing the picture. They’re neither needs nor demands; they are civil rights. Is that so hard to comprehend? (That’s rhetorical. You probably wouldn’t answer it anyway.)
And yes, you’re right there is no middle ground when it comes to denying LGBT people their rights. Discrimination has no middle ground.
Ah Morris, do you hear yourself? You probably would have said the same about women getting the vote, ‘ next thing they’ll want equal pay, then they’ll want to keep men in cages as pets!’
LGBT people just want the same rights as others enjoy, there is no agenda or plot to ‘take over’ and make straight people their slaves or something, don’t be so silly now.
I find it strange how those who have always had the rights and privileges don’t seem to want other people to have the same, is it a need to feel superior?
John, do you not want to share any of your privilege with others?
If you are a straight white male then, as a group, you have all the potential privilege in our society, if you don’t want others to have equal rights to you it simply means you don’t feel they deserve it as much as your group does.
Its a fear of being ‘demoted’ from ‘superior’ to ‘equal’ .
Do you think that others gaining the same rights as you will somehow mean you will lose rights? You won’t, everyone will have the same human rights, that’s the whole point.
Peter. What is it exactly you guys want that youre not getting iireland?.
Morris, did you seriously just ask that question?
Yes and ill ask it again. What is it you want you aint gettinin ireland.
If you don’t know by now, then why bother instigating a discussion? Go educate yourself.
I want equality.
You need to read a book. It’s very clear that gay people do not have the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts. If you can’t see that, it says a lot about you and lends to your complete ignorance on the topic
Morris, sorry, I don’t understand people who don’t use punctuation.
Resorting to insults just means you are losing the argument.
I’ve found, from being a regular Journal reader, that most of the comments come from educated and intelligent people. Most, not all.
Who are you referring to when you say ‘you people’?
Why should I shut my ‘pie hole’, as you so eloquently put it? I have as much right to comment here as anyone else.
Do you always try to silence people who disagree with you?
Equality? For what? What is it you are not allowed do?
What right? Gettin married? What else cant you do? . Tell me and enlighten me
I dont bother with punctuation as im on an ipad and its a pain in the ass. Your comments were peurile and irrelevant. Yu say say em all you like but dont expect respect for them. Next time read what i write not what you think and if you think that journal readers are informed then you’re real funny
Morris, your reply clearly shows that you have no idea how the “gay propaganda” law is applied in Russia. Nor can you even scroll down and read some examples I was giving below in a different thread. Let me repeat, giving you two examples of how the “gay propaganda” law have been applied in Russia most recently: 1) attacking the unique programme providing support and counselling for LGBT youth (and temporary accommodation for LGBT teens thrown out by their parents) and putting its founder under a trial, and 2) making a teenage lesbian girl to register with police as a potentially dangerous individual after she came out to her classmates. This is how “protecting minors” (which is the main goal of that law, on paper) is understood in Russia. If you think that this sort of oppression is normal, that this is how you protect teenagers, do write it clearly, so that everyone who ever uses Google to search for your name finds your clear statement that you see no value in lives of LGBT kids.
It is a business of the state to provide basic sex education to young adults. That decreases the level of sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies and abortions. It is a business of the state to provide basic information that same-sex attraction, as well as opposite-sex attraction, is not a disease. That decreases the rate of suicides, hate crimes and bullying towards not only LGBT but also heterosexual teenagers, as research shows. Of course, the material via your link is disturbing – but for any good idea there are clowns that make it into a harmful farce – but do not pretend that you are describing anything that happens systematically. That’s the difference between the two of us at the moment – my statements are supported by peer reviewed research, while you cite one bizarre incident and claim that it is relevant, ignoring all scientific studies. Maybe it’s time to do more reading.
If you scroll down to another thread, you can be enlightened absolutely for free:
Really, why do you not even attempt to do some research before blurting out all this nonsense?
clearly your parents failed in education their child to be respectful, tolerant or progressive. if you use the term “lefty liberal shite” you already disqualified yourself from any debate.
but teaching them that there is a God, creationism, marriage being the way (when more people get divorced than not) is the state’s business? you simple have no clue what you’re talking about. and stop using the reactionary term lefty. we don’t call you backwards either.
I don’t understand why people are giving out about this story being on the journal, surely they are just telling us about something that is happening isn’t that the point of news? So what if there are other news items involving gay issues that day, should there be a gay news story quota so as not to offend those uncomfortable with the whole thing? Oh and reporting on one story doesn’t take away from the importance or seriousness of any other story.
How would u like it if us catholics were protesting outside french embassy over issues like school prayer etc. The gay agenda in the irish media has to stop. Stop pressing ur beliefs on us. Irony
You miss the distinction David. Gay rights is rights for gay people not influencing other to be gay.
Catholic religion current influences children as young as 0 (baptism). I am straight and agnostic yet I was baptised, communed and had my conformation. All before I was 14! It’s shameful. It’s about personal rights not rights to influence.
As a straight man I would greatly appreciate if someone would explain to me what the “gay agenda” is.
I’m straight aswell but the agenda is equal righst as average joe or Mary Irish
@David Thornton,
but the difference is David, Catholics aren’t being denied rights, nor are they murdered by certain states just because they are Catholics. This is a human rights issue- but I suppose how can we expect the Church to understand human rights? ..
There is no gay agenda either, and if there was, so what…
@John,
“the gay agenda” is an imaginary idea usually used by those whom seek to suppress the rights of gay people. It doesn’t exist but it evokes paranoia that’s why they use it…
David needs to be educated about the way Catholics were and still are being treated around the world.
Gay agenda bad. Christian agenda good?
Catholics, Christians are been killed in a host of countries. Nothing said. The gay agenda has been hijacked by atheists liberals as a battering ram against old ireland they despise. Also i dont like an agenda when as soon as u disagree with them ur labelled homophobic which most instances not the case at all. Like facism if you dnt agree you are ostracised.
Sorry my spelling has gone to shit!
LOL
@David Thornton…
Your fascist analogy is hilarious…
Mainly because you fail to see the irony…
I’d actually have a lot of sympathy when arguments are made about the oppression of Christians in parts of the middle East and Asia. I just don’t understand why people use that to derail the very real inequality the LGBT community faces in Ireland and across Europe.
Well said David I think they will be made to rue this strategy come Election Day.
Good point
Us Catholics? The homophobic ones you mean. The religious right ones? I bet you love Lucinda and her anti choice group. And who cares who prays where or for what purpose.
What about gay priests?
By whom? Other Christians? (So called)
What makes you not Homophobic David?
Your everything is gone to shit
Why wouldn’t anyone despise ‘Old Ireland’? Should we miss Catholic control over every issue in life? Why would anyone miss the repression and corruption, the lack of rights, in fact blatant abuse of children, women and minorities including the mentally and physically disabled and the silencing of dissenters?
Why would anyone want to go back to that dreary, backward, bigoted, close minded and socially controlled place?
The past is another country.
well said Nicole
well said Kelly
This has gotten WILDLY out of hand.
From both sides of this debate people are resorting to name calling, insults, back biting and personal comments to try and score points.
This is a serious f*cking issue, bitta respect from everyone would move the conversation along a lot smoother than this stupidity. I’m really surprised by how aggressive things have gotten on this topic, again sadly from all sides.
Also, Journal staff, I’ve defended you in the past but I really think you need to monitor and act more frequently on these types of comments.
Well said Sean. We can agree on one thing anyway.
Fair play. The ‘anti-propaganda’ law is written so broadly as to make it illegal to portray homosexuality as normal, natural or okay, even when not aimed at people under the age of 18. So not only are LGBT Russians treated terribly, they’re not allowed to effectively campaign for change. Furthermore, it is the state condoning the homophobia that already exists there.
In the third paragraph you wrote “queer”. That can’t be right, can it?
Woe
*wow
Should read LGBTQ which would be Lesbian Gay Bi Trans* and Queer! :)
Every time I see that word, I think of the barman in the Savage eye.
I’m gay. LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. There is no Q in LGBT. The word queer in your article is as offence as F*****. I want the journal to remove this now please. And apologise.
Don’t gay people call each other queer I have personally witnessed this
It’s like the N word. They can use it themselves but if anyone else does, they’re lambasted.
Black people call eachother the N word. So white people can too? Am..no. Yet another straight person telling a gay person what is and what isn’t homophobic. Laughable.
Exactly alpha they create this term for themselves and cry murder if anyone else uses it is it for attention
Hi all,
The term LGBTQ was used by the Students’ Union in its statement. It denotes the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer community. It is a widely used phrase and not seen as derogatory. This is a good definition from the University of Michigan:
Used as an umbrella identity term encompassing lesbian, questioning people, gay men, bisexuals, non-labeling people, transgender folks, and anyone else who does not strictly identify as heterosexual. “Queer” originated as a derogatory word. Currently, it is being reclaimed by some people and used as a statement of empowerment. Some people identify as “queer” to distance themselves from the rigid categorization of “straight” and “gay”. Some transgender, lesbian, gay, questioning, non-labeling, and bisexual people, however, reject the use of this term due to its connotations of deviance and its tendency to gloss over and sometimes deny the differences between these groups.
Just to clarify it wasn’t one of our reporters using a term she shouldn’t. Hope that helps and thanks for the feedback.
Cheers
Sinead
News Editor.
@Tom Toms
Oh get over it! I’m sure no offence was intended.
Yesterday there was an article about LGBTI we’re in danger of running ot of letters!!!!!
Give Tom Toms his money and we can put it all behind us.
The people at today’s protest used the word queer. Both in speeches and chants. If they identify as queer they can say it -in Ireland ….not in Russia
Yeah Tom,
I’d lay off the moral outrage dude.
While it might be annoying/frustrating for people there are a lot of acronyms I’ve seen used.
LGB
LGBT
LGBTQ
LGBTQQ
LGBT QQI
etc.
Point is, it’s an accepted term.
LGBTQQIAAP is the fullest related acronym i’ve seen…
Lesbian
Gay
Bisexual
Transgender
Qu**r (Happy Tom?)
Questioning
Intersex
Asexual
Allies
Pansexual
Actually there are people in the LGBTQ community who identify as queer as the other terms do not fit them. You identify yourself as gay, some identify themselves as queer.
Is bender one of them Fiona
Way to go Russia!
For what?
Way to go? Beating, raping and murdering people, you see this as positive? You support this?
No such thing there! U read that on the Internet ?! They have their gay clubs and communities there and it s not illegal, no one is murdering them.
There should be no gay parades or propaganda, it will never be accepted as normal among straight people! Stop crying about it! Just get on with it, there are plenty of other problems nowadays
@ Nichole,
Crawl back under that rock you came out of, and let the adult humans have a civilized discussion…
Thanks..
Why don’t you crawl back under your gay rock where you came from and stop annoying everyone with your discrimination none sense !
Nic hole. There is a program on tonight on Channel 4 at 10pm. It is a documentary about gay bashing gangs that target people, beat and torture them. You say it’s no happening? Are you aware of the denial you are in?
@Nichole
Nichole doesn’t deserve responses, she/he is a troll..
I tend not to believe media, but, fair enough, if it is really happening, it is absolutely wrong. But it is also wrong to propagate this as normal , especially among kids.
It would turn my stomach if I saw two men kissing on the street, and I can’t help it, it’s just the way it is. When kids see this, they would think it s normal and who knows if homosexuality is something people are born with or not!
I know Nichole. Like you I have experienced denial. I tried to deny my sexuality. I tried not to be gay. After years, I woke up one morning and cried for hours because I realised that I was living a lie and that I would have to be honest and as a result suffer homophobic slurs and be treated like a second class citizen. I can guarantee you, I didn’t choose this. I have however learned to accept it. You should too
If you don’t believe the media, do you belief first hand accounts?
You’re dead right Nichole, I wonder if SSM passes will we see an end to near naked grown men prancing around the street in broad daylight? Is this what passes for culture? Each to their own but an end to this ‘pride’ nonsense – you’re gay we get it and don’t care
@Nichole
You have a severe, and obviously, extremely critical, case of homophobia..
There are treatments for it…
Get some therapy luv.
A lot of it..
best of luck xx
@john, if you don ‘t care then why do you post all over the Journal about Gay issues?
It obviously means something to you..
What’s wrong with naked grown men? You are a grown man yourself I take it? and occasionally naked? Do you repulse yourself?
And Pride will never end… it gets bigger, better and more popular in Dublin , and globally, every year… actually Dublin Pride is the best day/night/street party in Dublin
@Frank. In protest to 50% of the content on here relating to the LGBT, far left agenda. There are serious REAL issues in this country – Poverty, long term unemployment, serious corruption, sky rocketing suicide rates, mental health mis management, soaring crime, old people been beating and robbed in their own homes…. Oh but the Gays can’t marry, hold the presses!
@Frank. “What’s wrong with naked grown men? ” absolutely nothing, just keep it behind closed doors have a bit of self respect and decency at least for the children’s sake , the ‘pride’ prance only serves to normalize it
All those issues you mentioned are all covered regularly..
Get a grip bud..
Yes John, human rights issues in our own country are a big deal. But you don’t like gays, so you think we should all lie down and shut up. Ehhhhhh……no thanks
@John,
If naked grown men bother you so much then don’t look at them… and anyhow, there are no naked people at Pride… it’s illegal to walk down the street naked… so seriously get a grip.. you’re talking crap…
And yes, Pride is about visibility, and if that normalizes it then great….
Well Said Ailbhe :)
There is a big difference between gangs gay bashing and state sponsored gay bashing that your suggesting happens. Believe it or not gay bashing is still assault in Russia and anyone caught will be punished as such .
Frank they had to stop people going naked in San Fransico because and I quote one guy’s comment (that nearly made me wet myself laughing) “I couldn’t walk down the street with my kids because guys walking aroundthe place with their thumbs up each others asses”.
So in an effort to lower the tone of the conversation, you bring up something unrelated. I suggest we just ignore this ignoramus
@Ailbhe. “human rights issues” – give me a break and the right to marry isn’t a human rights issue marriage is a privilege not a right.
Go on there and compare notes with those who are having their human rights abused in Syria right now or those been raped, tortured and persecuted in Congo, you wouldn’t know what oppression was!!
One group is discriminated against. It is a rights issue. There is a scale of human rights issue. What you refer to is the extreme. It does not mean that this issue is ignorable.
Why’s that? Rember the pic yesterday of the protesters on here? Some lad running around in his boxers with a cowboy hat on. How do you expect people not to think they’re not sexual deviants when at protests/parades they’re always trying to shove their sexuality down your throught (no pun intended)?
You could bet your life on it that if a normal guy wore that crap around town the cops would be having words with him but when the shoe is on the other foot to say anything is to be homophobic.
You assume all LGBT peple do that do you?
As with any grup, there is a minority that goes to the extreme. I agree with you that it is not appropriate, but you only ever refer to it when discussing LGBT issues.
Well if thats the case Ailbhe, why don’t the rest of the LGBT community speak out against it, I know a lot do. If you have a right to SSM can we have a right to less indecency on our nations streets?
Next time i ll prepare some rotten eggs when i see a gay parade! stay home and bang each other, no one cares! Disgusting!
Nichole, grow up
@John,
I find that kind of extreme behaviour counter-productive and not representative.
How’s that?
I’d also say though that you’ll find that photographers will always look for the most sensationalist picture they can get. I’m in no way defending that behaviour, but they have papers to sell, ads to serve.
I’m not being contrived or sarcastic, is that enough of an admission?
John, I asked that very question before and was told it was them having fun, being “fabulous” and to mind my own business. Well if people are going to dress and act ridiculous, I’m to make fun of them, simple as that and if if that makes me homophobic then your argument is very weak beacuse I would slag anyone that does the same.
John, yes I believe there should be less adult content in public. We can agree on that. I also believe the state has an obligation to treat its citizens without prejudice
Better get off this site so Nichole, you might catch gayness and that would be disgusting for you! But seriously open your mind its a beautiful world with beautiful people, all that bile is not good for you!!!
That’s a lie and you know it. People are being killed and assaulted in Russia. Your a silly woman with a pea brain
You think it’s a disease that will infect people? If you are born that way, how come you were born heterosexual?
All of the above affect gays too……now what else?
Nicole or is it Nichole or is it Loki or is it Benedict or is it Gerard or is it Gearoid or is it hsbadfff etc .
idiot Nicoleeee
your the disgusting one Nikhole……….immature self centered, uneducated fool
Ignorance is bliss! I wonder if anyone tried educate themselves and actually watched the C4 program Hunted?
*to
Fair play. We should break off diplomatic relations with this Jurassic country. It’s free reign to attack and bully anyone that is gay or bi. As ever driven by the religious right and supported by Putin to garner more votes. Pathetic
Or send an ambassador who is a member of the LGBT community… Send a message that all people deserve respect and recognition.
Ye send Norris over, maybe they’ll keep him!
Or send the buttman over!
It’s very anti heterosexual on this forum
Paddy, you do know this is a news website and not a gay dating chat room, you seem to pop up on all the articles relating to gay equality, I think you are confused in more ways than one.
Back into your dungeon……. You seem to follow me quite a lot. I’m starting to get concerned for my safety.
Paddy is probably a secret gay supporter. Come out Paddy…..
Excuse you, it’s anti-heterosexism. Everyone here seems to be fine with people bieng heterosexual as long as they are not heterosexist.
Well Paddy, I’m heterosexual and I feel comfortable here, I haven’t seen anyone say anything against heterosexual people in general only calling out the people who are anti-equality.
Maybe that just makes you feel uncomfortable so you’re feeling defensive ?
Think this is just Gay people fighting for there rights like anybody in the World no matter where they come from or colour they are.
“Q” stands for “questioning” as some people are not sure and are still questioning and sorting out their sexual orientation. It must be a most difficult thing in a world so against anything different from the norm.
LGBT: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transvestite, Queer? That can’t be right.
It isn’t right. LGBT is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*. LGBTQ adds “queer” on to that.
@Sean,
It’s only going to get worse as the referendum approaches..
Only if the people virtually banging their fists on the table don’t grow the hell up.
Again, both sides of the debate.
@It’s an emotive issue, why are people so afraid of emotive issues?
There’s nothing wrong with being emotive.
There is something wrong with personal attacks.
Whether it’s sexuality or religion, children need education on both but at an age they can make their own decisions. 14 ok? Any science on this?
Yeh! Science Bitch!!
This why traditional media will always be better than this online news lark. The former actually have journalists who research. The Journal is as usual is just pushing its agenda or “shaping the news” as per its banner head.
Well Said! they might aswell rename this website gaymob.ie
Great suggestion John.
Terrific input as always.
Thanks Jeremy!
That journalist in the Guardian did not do his homework at all. Otherwise he would have known about how the “gay propaganda” law has been applied in Russia most recently, attacking the unique programme providing support and counselling for LGBT youth (and temporary accommodation for LGBT teens thrown out by their parents) and putting its founder under a trial, and making a teenage lesbian girl to register with police as a potentially dangerous individual after she came out to her classmates. This is how “protecting minors” (which is the main goal of that law, on paper) is understood in Russia. If being aware of that does not provoke any remnants of empathy you may have, and you are still talking about someone’s “agenda”, there is not much one can do, is it?
These people should go protest in Moscow or st Petersburgh
Maybe Siberia Lashes. …..grow up. I’m sure the Russians will give a visa to go over and protest.
Lashes I will if you give me the money!
Just because LGBT people, women and minorities have more rights and protections here than in some other countries, that doesn’t mean they should accept ‘near equality’ rather than full equality in this country. Having ‘nearly’ as many rights as others just isn’t good enough.
The ‘you’d have it worse in that country if you lived there’ notion is trite.
They have everything for you men to enjoy,
You can hang out with all the boys …
I came in late to this.
Now I have witnessed extensive and extreme homophoc comments by quite a few people. Such homophobic comments offend me. But although such homophobic comments are egregious, they are an aspect of free speech. There is an unitended side effect. The homophobes expose their prejudice and lack of rationality. This is good.
On the other side of the coin, any person, gay or straight, who is offended by homophobic expression is fully entitled to respond robustly and even severely. It would be lopsided to allow the reactionary homophobes full freedom of expression of their bile and invective but to restrain the persons offended by such remarks.
It is interesting to see people who nominally subscribe to same sex marriage show their true homophobic colours when they are called on their homophobia.
Yes, we will see throughly unpleasant and unedifying debate but democracy is not easy. It is a price to be paid but, once equality is achieved, feelings will settle down after a while and marriage equality will be accepted as unremarkable.
Of course, the reactionary and homonervous minority in the community will fight a hard opposition battle but yiu can’t stop an idea and reform the time for which has come.
Even the hardcore French minority who engaged in violence after same sex marriage was permitted quickly settled down.
Peter. Thou writest well but thou hast been offended. A terrible crime indeed. And indeed you are correct. In time you will be found to be most correct. Things will indeed setle down and those of all persuasions will be able to settle in whatever life suits them best. However thou may find that that wont suit some individuals who get off on being a persecuted minority and may even find that the last thing they are comfortable with is being accepted and normal. Now who are they going to be? Lke everyone else. Oops but their previous role defined them. What next? A terrible dilemma indeed……
try your protests in Saudi …see how far you get
@Patric Reilly,
And… another homophobe comes out of the woodwork…
What bothers you so much about gay people Patric that you feel the need to be so nasty?…
I’m genuinely trying to understand this irrational fear and hatred of gays…
not nasty frank
.I have gay freinds ..but they dont feel the need to go around rattling there sabers in protest. ..they accept who they are
the country and culture they live in and if they have even commented on some of thw nonsense protests and some of the ridiculous requests ask for at times by so called poeple supposedly acting in their best interests
@Patric Reilly,
I find it hard to believe you have gay friends. If you do- god help them.
im gay ….its a gay day …so to say im gay meanimg im happy and hving a gay day dowa that mean your partaking in a sexual act with a same sex person…get a life ita only a word and im sick of every bloody newspaper and news programme givim airtime and tabliod space to this constant lgtb crap…
‘Non traditional sexuality’ are you f***ing serious??
Infected limb must be removed to prevent risk of spreading & infecting entire body. Ignorant tyrants must be taken down!
have your say