SPI Statement on anti-Gay remarks made by Iris Robinson

national | rights, freedoms and repression | press release

Friday June 06, 2008 23:59

by Caoimhain Ceallaigh - Starry Plough Initiative

Say no to bigotry - Starry Plough Initiative

Iris Robinson of the DUP has, today, claimed that people of a homosexual orientation should seek help from psychiatrists in order to be "turned around" referring to their sexuality. It is unbelievable that a member of an assembly responsible for the lives of others can come out and make these sorts of ignorant comments putting people's lives and well being in jeopardy. Shocked by the homophobic and ignorant comments, the Starry Plough Initiative wishes to make a statement...

The Starry Plough Initiative would like to register its outrage and disgust by the ignorant, homophobic and frankly stone-aged comments made by the wife of the first minister of the 'Northern Ireland Assembly' Iris Robinson directed at the Gay community and homosexuality in general. Our statement is in response to remarks made by Iris Robinson about how Gay people should go to psychiatrists to be ‘turned around’ after hearing a young man was seriously beaten in Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim because of his sexual-orientation.

Her remarks clearly demonstrate the bigoted, right wing nature of the Democratic Unionist Party. There is nothing democratic about bigotry, there is nothing democratic about ignorance, there is nothing democratic about elitism and the Starry Plough Initiative are, frankly, shocked that the DUP think it is okay or correct to come out in public and make these comments in the 21st century or any century for that matter. It is not surprising that this story seemed to be completely omitted from any mainstream news publication in Ireland and Britain.

People’s sexual-orientation is nobody’s business but their own. Our friends in the Gay community contribute as much to the community and economy than anyone who is heterosexual. They should not be treated any differently and they should not be made targets for attack simply because of their sexuality.

The Starry Plough Initiative would like to state that it is not okay and it is not right to make these types of bigoted comments that conform more to a fascist mentality rather than a democratic one as the DUP claim to do. The DUP have again and again blackened the name of democracy and we would call upon anyone who shares our beliefs make their voices heard and protest against these comments.
How can someone with so much responsibility for the lives and health of working people in any part of Ireland hold such beliefs? By making these comments, Iris Robinson, is putting at risk the lives and well being of anyone who is in any way different and threatens a diverse future Ireland.

We would say to Iris Robinson that we believe she should take a class in human ethics and human rights before she attempts to take any responsibility for people’s lives in the Assembly in Stormont and we would also say to anyone who stands beside or behind her to distance themselves from the comments made, because those who stand with her are just as guilty. The people of the North should not allow bigotry to control their lives and continue to put people’s lives at risk.

The Starry Plough Initiative stands solid with all the working people in this country regardless of Religion, age or sexual-orientation and would like to offer our hand in support, friendship and solidarity for anyone who has been affected by bigotry of any sort at any time, bigotry which seems to be endorsed by the head of the state of Northern Ireland. It is very clear to the Starry Plough Initiative that the state of Northern Ireland is built on bigotry, is headed by bigotry and should be dismantled along with the bigoted mentality of the DUP.

Caoimhain Ceallaigh (Starry Plough Initiative)
http://theplough.proboards57.com/

Statement Ends.