Comments on: Homophobic bullying 'widespread' in Ireland

By: Simon Murphy

Simon Murphy — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:20:05 +0000

The minister would love to hear from you:

To: @oireachtas.ie">bandrews @oireachtas.ie

Dear Mr Andrews,

I was pleased to see you acknowledge the serious problem of homophobic bullying in Irish schools and the fact that it needs to be tackled.

I would suggest the most effective ways of tackling homophobic bullying would be to end the absurd exemption religious run schools have from equality legislation. If a school reserves the right to discriminate based on someone's sexual orientation then it will always be ineffective in tackling homophobic bullying.

It would also help to throw out the discriminatory civll partnership legislation currently being proposed. Equal access to the legal contract of civil marriaage irrespective of sexual orientation sends a clear message that gay people deserve equal rights. Civil partnership for gay couples is not equality and will never be regarded as such.

Yours sincerely

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By: Simon Murphy

Simon Murphy — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:58:34 +0000

Oh the catholic cult has been mortally wounded in Ireland. They will never recover from the scandals of the last 20 years. The current administration looks headed for certain defeat in the next election. A new administration – FG/Labour would be far more likely to legislate for marriage equality. Let's hope this CP legislation is not enacted before the next elections.

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By: Bill Perdue

Bill Perdue — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:53:30 +0000

It's the sad result of living in a priest ridden land. The roman cult may not have the power it once had to murder us but it still has the power to torment LGBT children and revels in it.

Only an independent, unified socialist Ireland can tackle this problem. The current efforts, however well meaning, are like putting a bandaid on a cancerous lesion.

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By: tsuchan

tsuchan — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:18:01 +0000

I strongly agree with Simon (Comment 1).

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By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:51:46 +0000

"all the men in Ireland are gay… so they hate gays."

Eh? What the fuck are you talking about, you moron?

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By: The Menstruator

The Menstruator — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:11:43 +0000

This is rather shocking considering how gay irish people come off. How grab ass all the menare with each other. But I guess the homophobia comes from the self hating trait, all the men in Ireland are gay… so they hate gays.

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By: Glitzfrau

Glitzfrau — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:38:29 +0000

Simon – absolutely. And Andrews is still allowing religious schools to bully gay teachers out of a job if they want to, thanks to their exemption from the 2002 Equality Act. That's hardly the way to create a gay-friendly atmosphere around Irish children.

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By: George

George — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:37:00 +0000

I find it particularly disturbing to read that he had to make specific mention of bullying from teachers towards the children under their care.

Any adult in charge of children knows (or certainly should know) full well that responsibility of care means ensuring the physical, mental & emotional well-being of children. Clearly if a few bad apples are directing homophobia towards any of these children, then this is in direct contradiction to ensuring their well-being, and thus they should not be in charge of any minor.

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By: Simon Murphy

Simon Murphy — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:41:56 +0000

What he says is true for sure. It still annoys me to hear polticians on the 1 hand oppose homophobic bullying but on the other hand oppose full reqlationship equality for gay people. Andrews's party wants to introduce 'separate but equal' CP legislation.

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