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PEOPLE WHO TAKE part in the Belfast Pride parade are “repugnant” – that’s according to the future Northern Ireland health minister, Jim Wells.
Diana Rusk, political correspondent with The Irish News, writes on page 8 of the paper today that the South Down assembly member sent a text to Simon Rea, secretary of Belfast Pride, in which he said ”I find the behaviour of those who take part in this march totally repugnant”.
Rea told the paper that he was “personally offended and deeply disappointed” by the text – which was in reply to an invitation to a debate on the event – and that politicians need to realise 7 – 10 per cent of their constituencies are lesbian, gay, or bisexual.
Wells told The Irish News that his comments “refer to the parade”, including the costumes and behaviour of the participants.
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We are one of the “lucky ones” who have managed to secure a place for September only a year late. If this was typical children , with a whole year of primary education lost, heads would roll. I’m so relieved we have a school place for the the upcoming September but I also feel guilt for having a place when so many others don’t. Everything about this proposal irks me but most of all the fact that they are centres and not schools. Children want to go to school. Even children with special needs.
Madigan and Foley are incompetent self serving liars who should resign.
Through section 37a of the schools admissions act which allows the ministers to compel schools to set up special classes they have had the authority to resolve this for years.
They opposed it existing, watered down the original version of the law and have underused and abused it ever since.
They do not care and this latest “I could fix it but let’s segregate you kids and deny them their right to an appropriate education just cos” proves that point.
If the solution is a short term fix, that’s ok and better than nothing.
However if it is the schools and the department messing it about that’s different altogether.
I always look to the departments to see they why things are going wrong. Most ministers read what they are handed as the reason something cannot happen or is not happening at present.
have your say