Comments on: Gay Greens angered by lack of action against Iris Robinson

By: Seán McGouran

Seán McGouran — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:17:12 +0000

If the 15,000-odd people who signed the petition against Iris R all did what The Rainbow Project in Derry suggested it might have the effect of driving her out of politics (if not out of her mind). They sugested taht she (and Peter Robinson, First Minister of NI) should visit them.
All Gay organisations and individuals should approch them to come and learn who we 'abominations' go about our business. If everyone who signed the petition did it, it might have the ussful effect of clogging up thyeir computers

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By: CONOR

CONOR — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:29:54 +0000

I heard a rumour that the Conservatives have aligned themselves more to the moderate UUP unionists because of evil witch Iris Robinson. She antagonised and angered the Conservatives when
the DUP backed Gordon Brown for the vote in the Commons on 42 day detention. Her gesture of sticking 9 fingers up at them in the House of Commons did the trick for 9 DUP MPs backed Gordon Brown. She really can be so obnoxious not only to gay people.

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By: gery mc mahon

gery mc mahon — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:37:49 +0000

i reckon shes a bit of a lesbian deep down eh?

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By: Robert, ex-pat Brit

Robert, ex-pat Brit — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:31:02 +0000

Its also the government's job to address bigotry since the none of the religious cults are doing anything about it. If Iris Robinson and other of her ilk had uttered ethnic slurs, I think we would be seeing a totally different response. Note how silent the religious cults are in all this?

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By: Omar Kuddus Gayasylum Uk

Omar Kuddus Gayasylum Uk — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:51:27 +0000

It is time that ALL major party officials realised that the gay community will no long accept homophobia and discrimination against us, due to our sexual orientation.
If things go unchecked they shall pay the price in the next general election when a call is sent to the LGBT community to show their disapproval and to vote not on their political beliefs but on their sexual orientation.

This is the full petition to the Prime Minister to reprimand MP Iris Robinson on her recent comments about Homosexuality, in regards to the MP for Strangford who had recently suggested that all homosexuals should receive psychiatric treatment to help "cure" them. These comments are not fitting of a MLA let alone an MP. They show narrow-minded views and the belief that in Northern Ireland that bigotry is acceptable. It attracted 15,714 Signatures (This petition is now closed, as its deadline has passed).

The Prime Minister's Office has responded by saying that;
There is no constitutional role for the Prime Minister to reprimand individual Members of Parliament who are accountable to their electorate for their own comments. The Government is committed to strong equality legislation in Northern Ireland and citizens in Northern Ireland are protected against discrimination on grounds of race, religious belief or political opinion, gender, sexual orientation, age or because of a disability. If anyone in Northern Ireland believes that they have been discriminated against on any of these grounds they may be able to bring a complaint to a tribunal or to a county court. Further details are available from the Equality Commission whose website is at http://www.equalityni.org. In respect of sexual orientation specifically, the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 make it unlawful for employers and others to discriminate on grounds of sexual orientation in the areas of employment, vocational training and further and higher education. The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (NI) 2006 extend the protection against discrimination to the provision of goods, facilities and services, the management and disposal of land or premises and the provision of education in schools. In addition, section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 requires designated public authorities to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity between 9 different groups: religious belief; political opinion; race or ethnic group; age; marital status; sexual orientation; gender; disability; and persons with dependants. The Government’s vision is an equal, inclusive society in Northern Ireland, where everyone is treated with respect and where opportunity for all remains a priority.
One hopes that people will take up the Governments offer, as Bigotry and Discrimination will not be tolerated irrespective of from whom or where it is made.

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By: Simon Murphy

Simon Murphy — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:26:08 +0000

The DUP's general email is @dup.org.uk">info @dup.org.uk

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By: Sean O Rourke

Sean O Rourke — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:02:30 +0000

Again, search 'PSNI' on google, and file a hate crime report on their website. They take these things very seriously, as they have to. The more people that complain, the more chance that something will be done. Also complain to the Equality Commission

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By: Robert, ex-pat Brit

Robert, ex-pat Brit — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:31:54 +0000

Yes, why isn't David Cameron speaking up? He has nothing to lose. If he wants to attract more minority voters, he'd better do something about it. So far, I remain unconvinced just how genuine he is about equality, or his party for that matter.

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By: Pie

Pie — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:31:00 +0000

what's that apostrophe for then?

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By: Jill

Jill — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:43:18 +0000

Its about time some of the other mainstream parties piped up and condemned her as well. Good for the Greens but what about Camerons New Tory's – they want minority votes come the next election but they seem pretty silent on this. As for the "liberals", not a peep!! It would be great if the electorate in Northern Ireland were not disenfranchised by the fact that we are unable to vote for the parties that can potentially make up our government. Is it not time that the "big 3″ fielded candidates in the province so that we can finally get rid of the dinosaurs that call themselves politicians in this part of the world!

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By: Maria

Maria — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:29:17 +0000

Why not write to her and her party leader and her party to express your horror? Her email address is @parliament.uk">robinsoni @parliament.uk. Her party leader's address is @niassembly.gov.uk">peter.robinson @niassembly.gov.uk. The DUP's address is @niassembly.gov.uk">peter.robinson @niassembly.gov.uk

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