Pride 2010 - Unite against homophobic attacks

Written by Paddy Meehan Friday, 30 July 2010 10:52

On 26 June, a gay couple were violently assaulted in Shipquay Street, Derry. Just a month previously, two men were found guilty of the homophobic murder of Shaun Fitzpatrick in Dungannon in 2008. These brutal attacks must be met with a firm response from the LGBT community and by workers and young people everywhere.

The 12 months between April 2009 and March 2010 have seen a spike of homophobic incidents reported to the police in areas like Carrickfergus, Banbridge, Newry, Antrim and Cookstown. However, the majority of incidents go unreported. The Rainbow Project surveyed over 1,000 gay, lesbian and bisexual people and found that 64% of incidents are never reported to the police. The project also found that over a fifth of participants had been victims of homophobic attacks in the last three years.

US - Fight for Full LGBT Equality!

Written by Katie Quarles, Socialist Alternative (CWI USA) Thursday, 10 June 2010 11:11

Being an LGBT person means facing discrimination in the workplace, bullying at school and in many cases from family members, not being able to marry your loved one legally, and being faced with higher rates of suicide and homelessness (between 20 and 40 percent of homeless youth identify as LGBT).

Stand up to homophobia

Written by Domhnall Ó Cobhthaigh Wednesday, 10 March 2010 10:48

To the editor, The Impartial Reporter,

I'm sure I wasn't the only reader of your paper to be disgusted by the homophobic content in the letter from Patrick Maguire in last week's paper.

It is estimated widely that approximately one in ten people are born homosexual and that this ratio is similar pretty much around the world. As a result of widespread hostility and prejudice, many homosexual people suffer from unremitting bullying, isolation and rejection from their families and communities. The situation in Fermanagh is known to be particularly grave in this regard.

40 years after Stonewall Riots...

Written by Kevin Henry Friday, 31 July 2009 00:00

STEP UP THE FIGHT FOR LGBT EQUALITY

This year marks an important fortieth anniversary for all who support equality for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) community.

On 28 June 1969 the police raided the Stonewall Inn in New York. This in of itself was not unusual. This time however LGBT people fought back against the police over two nights of rioting. After the Stonewall riots those involved in fighting police harassment organised the Gay Liberation Front which united with socialist, anti-war, anti-racist and trade union activists in the fight for liberation including bravely organising the first gay pride events.

Stand against homophobic bigotry

Written by Kevin Henry Thursday, 18 June 2009 00:00

"Homosexuality is not natural. My Christian beliefs tell me that it is an abomination and that is very clear.

"I have a very lovely psychiatrist who works with me in my offices and his Christian background is that he tries to help homosexuals - trying to turn away from what they are engaged in. I'm happy to put any homosexual in touch with this gentleman and I have met people who have turned around and become heterosexuals."

- Iris Robinson MP MLA (DUP)

Iris Robinson’s recent homophobic remarks, in which she described homosexuality as an “abomination” and said gay people could be turned into heterosexuals through counselling, exposed again the bigoted nature of DUP politicians. But more importantly it has also drawn attention to the discrimination that the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered) community still face in Northern Ireland.