Activist Panti Bliss Honored With Ireland's Person Of The Year Award

Via Pink News:

Irish drag queen activist Panti Bliss has picked up a Person of the Year award. Drag artist Panti Bliss, played by Rory O’Neill, caused controversy in January this year when she labelled Catholic lobbying group the Iona Institute ‘homophobes’ on an Irish talk show, prompting state broadcaster RTE to award a payout of over €85,000 (£70,000) to the group and associated journalists. After the controversy, a heartwarming speech that Panti gave about the oppression that gay people face went viral online, and was even sampled as part of a Pet Shop Boys track.

About the awards: 

Now in its 40th year, the People of the Year Awards are not just the primary awards event in Ireland, they are also among the longest-running. They are widely recognised as one of the highest accolades a person can receive in this country. Based on nominations received from members of the public, the People of the Year Awards give public recognition of the achievement of those who, in their own way, have made such a positive impact on Irish society. The Awards recognise a unique range of people - from unsung heroes who have quietly made a difference and enhanced the lives of others in communities, to the household names who have made a real difference to people’s lives on a national and international level.

IRISH BISHOP SAYS OPPOSITION TO MARRIAGE EQUALITY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH 'THE GAY LIFESTYLE'

Irish bishop Kevin Doran has said that his opposition to same-sex marriage is “not about homosexuality or the gay lifestyle, it is about the meaning of marriage”, reports the Irish Times.

Doran, the bishop of Elphin since July and Secretary General of the Eucharistic Congress 2012, made his comments during a talk organized by anti-gay activist group the Iona Institute on “Marriage and the Common Good.” Members of the Iona Institute sued state broadcaster RTE earlier this year after drag performer Panti Bliss accused them of homophobia.

Doran, an unmarried celibate, warned the Irish government that legalizing same-sex marriage would remove “the unique relationship between marriage and procreation.”

Opening what is likely to be an unpleasant debate with a hysterical suggestion that marriage equality will lead to people marrying their pet hamsters, Doran said:

“Since [procreation] is probably the principal reason for the State to have any interest in regulating marriage ... why bother regulating it at all? One might even ask, why in that case would the State restrict marriage to two people? What, in the final analysis, is the difference between a ‘sexual friendship’ (in which the State has no interest) and a marriage?”

Ignoring the realities of day-to-day life and insulting same-sex families into the bargain, he added:

“As they mature, children benefit from the love and care of both mother and father, and from their parents’ committed and exclusive love for each other. Unlike friendships, which vary in kind and degree and formality, marriage ... has enough objective structure, apart from the spouses’ preferences, to be legally regulated.”

A referendum on same-sex marriage is expected in Ireland early next year. Doran’s comments are likely to be seen as an opening salvo in the Catholic church’s opposition.

IRELAND: Lovely New Marriage Ad

A moving ad has been released as part of a voter registration campaign ahead of next year’s referendum on equal marriage. The Republic of Ireland, which introduced civil partnerships in 2011, is set to vote next May on extending civil marriage to same-sex couples, with early polls suggesting a landslide victory for equality. However, referendums have a history of unpredictability in the country, due to a combination of low turnouts and powerful religious lobbies. The Gay and Lesbian Equality Network, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, and Marriage Equality Ireland have all joined together to launch the ‘Yes Equality’ campaign – which alongside LGBT charity BeLonG To launched its first ad targeted at young voters today. Michael Barron of BeLonG To said: “We know that Ireland is ready for this change and that Irish young people really want a fair and equal society.

Check Out This Irish Senator's Awesome Smack Down of Russia's Anti-gay Propaganda Ban

Senator David Norris, Ireland's first openly gay person elected to public office, appeared on RT's Worlds Apart program this week to dissect Russia's ever-increasing crackdown on LGBT citizens and their rights.

Explaining that Russia's attitudes towards gay rights are "30 years behind" Western sensibilities, Norris wasted no time in bringing up the "dishonest" campaign that the Russian Orthodox Church and lawmakers have led in trying to "protect children" with the country's anti-gay 'propaganda' ban. 

When host Oksana Boyko explained that perhaps Russia's anti-gay efforts were related more to protecting its cultural "heteronormativity" rather than criminalizing homosexuality or perpetuating discrimination, Norris fired back:

"What about parades, marches banned by the mayor of Moscow? Why was that? What about the people being beaten up, being dragged out of their homes, being tortured, being subject to vicious, brutal attacks by thugs in Moscow with the police standing by. That's hardly equality...what we should be doing is making sure that our family structures are more rational and they reflect the views of everyone in society and that we protect everyone in society. We don't just do lip service for the individual's rights and say "Oh you can be homosexual in a hole in the ground somewhere as long as nobody knows about it, but we're perfectly alright with you being clobbered and battered to death on the streets of Moscow with the police turning the other way'"

It's a 30 minutes segment, but well worth a full watch - especially towards the end when Boyko gets all flustered after being asked about Vladimir Putin's own sexuality in light of his fondness for "galloping around with little small beady eyes, half-naked on a horse."

IRISH AQUARIUM REPORTS PAIR OF GAY PENGUINS

Ireland's Dingle Oceanworld says that a pair of gay penguins have reportedly revealed themselves by setting up a nest together, the Irish Examiner reports:

The Irish duo are one of five couples which have paired off for the breeding season at the polar exhibition which mimics the icy conditions at the South Pole in the Kerry Aquarium.  

The head penguin keeper, Kate Hall, said same-sex couples are not unheard of in the penguin world, although it is usually two males who pair off.

"It’s definitely not an unusual occurrence although this time it’s two females."
She said Missy and Penelope have been displaying all the signs of a courting couple in their enclosure, which is home to a dozen of the black and white creatures.
"The thing penguins do to show they like each other is they bow to each other and they are doing that.

HOMOPHOBIA is "insulting to God", Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has warned.

In the wake of the so-called 'Pantigate' controversy over homophobia comments made on RTE and a defamation settlement, Dr Martin said: "God never created anybody that he doesn't love."

Speaking to the Irish Independent, the senior cleric said this meant that "anybody who doesn't show love towards gay and lesbian people is insulting God. They are not just homophobic if they do that – they are actually Godophobic because God loves every one of those people".

Referring to the revelations made last week by TD Jerry Buttimer, that he was beaten, spat at, mocked and harassed because he was gay, Dr Martin expressed concern saying: "Certainly the sort of actions that we heard of this week of people being spat at because they were gay or ridiculed . . . that is not a Christian attitude. We have to have the courage to stand up and say that."

He added: "We all belong to one another and there is no way we can build up a society in which people are excluded or insulted.

"We have to learn a new way in Ireland to live with our differences and for all of us to live with respect for one another."

Concerns have been raised that debate could be stifled ahead of the upcoming referendum on gay marriage, after the national broadcaster paid compensation and apologised to officials from the Catholic advocacy group The Iona Institute over comments on homophobia made on 'The Saturday Night Show' by gay rights activist Rory O'Neill, who performs under the drag name Miss Panti Bliss.

Dr Martin called for the debate around marriage equality to be carried out "in a serene and sober way in which people can express themselves and differences can emerge".

Dr Martin also noted: "Just because a person isn't in favour of gay marriage doesn't mean that one is homophobic – let's be very clear on that."

But he added that "all of us have to be careful about the way we speak and the language we use".

Dan Savage On Ireland's Panti Bliss's Amazing Speech

"Consider this post a thank you note to shitty bigot [Irish Times columnist] John Waters and shitty bigot Breda O’Brien and all the shitty bigots at the Iona Institute. Thank you for bringing Panti Bliss to our attention. Thanks to your stupidity and Rory 'Panti Bliss' O'Neill's eloquence, Panti has gained an international following. And if you shitty motherfuckers are dumb enough to sue Panti, know this: she not only has thousands of supporters in Ireland, she has thousands of new supporters all over the world. Myself included. And we will spread the word and we will raise money and we will call you shitty fucking homophobes without a moment's hesitation. Because you're a bunch of shitty fucking homophobes. So congrats, you dumb fucking haters. You made that Irish drag queen an international superstar—and if you are stupid enough to come after her, you've made her an international cause célèbre." - Dan Savage

Ireland's Trinity College to Ban Coca-Cola, P&G Products During Sochi Games

Citing Coca-Cola's refusal to denounce Russia’s anti-gay propaganda laws, Ireland’s Trinity College has announced that products by the Olympic sponsor will be banned from the campus during the upcoming Sochi Games. Products made by Proctor & Gamble, also a sponsor, will be banned as well.

 

TheJournal.ie reports that LGBTQ Rights Officer for Trinity College Dublin Students' Union, Stephen Hatton wrote a letter to Coca-Cola announcing their school's intent to boycott the company:

"Your company had an unparalleled opportunity to denounce the vulgar and inhumane Anti-Gay Laws of Russia on a worldwide stage, an action which, if made, would have undoubtedly sparked global awareness and positive change for the LGBTQ community in Russia and beyond."

Leanna Byrne, Communications Officer with TCDSU, says the ban “sends our a strong message”

“We’ve been mandated by the students to do this,” she said. “I think it’s very important that we stand by our minority groups. People might think it is not a student issue, but it it certainly is for a lot of  the people in college.”

She added: “There seems to be a lot of positive reaction from LGBT societies and organisations throughout the country.

TCDSU has also written to Coca-Cola about the company’s recent removal of a gay marriage scene from an Irish TV advertisement, saying that the omission is “an open insult to the LGBTQ community in Ireland and

Judge rules gay blood ban 'irrational'

Mr Justice Treacy held that the DUP minister breached the ministerial code by failing to take the issue before the Northern Ireland Executive.

The verdict on gay blood donation, in a challenge brought by an unidentified homosexual man, represents a major victory for campaigners seeking equal status with the rest of the UK.

The complete prohibition - put in place during the 1980s AIDS threat - was lifted in England, Scotland and Wales in November 2011.

It was replaced by new rules which allow blood from men whose last sexual contact with another man was more than a year ago. The 12-month deferral was left in place following a Government Advisory Committee report.

It identified a much shorter period during which infection with blood-borne viruses could not be detected.

Mr Poots maintained the ban in Northern Ireland on the grounds of ensuring public safety.

But a gay man, granted anonymity due to his perceived vulnerability, launched a judicial review challenge to Mr Poots' position.

Applying different standards to imported blood defeats the whole purpose of a permanent deferral.

Mr Justice Treacy

Mr Justice Treacy heard claims that the Minister had displayed apparent bias which went beyond religious beliefs and into the realms of prejudice.

It was revealed in court that, despite the unidentified applicant's sexual orientation, he has become a born-again Christian who now disapproves of homosexual practices.

Attorney General John Larkin QC, the chief legal adviser to the Stormont Executive, questioned the legitimacy of the challenge.

Eternal Flame At President Kennedy's Grave To Light Irish Memorial

This is the 50th anniversary of the death of President John F. Kennedy and throughout the year there will be memorials and moments to remember the young idealistic and vibrant President. Those of us alive at that time will never forget those three years of his Presidency. He inspired us to do more for the rest of our lives.

Irish Central is reporting that the flame from the grave of President John F. Kennedy will light a torch to be taken to Ireland to light a memorial which will commemorate his visit there fifty years ago.
Caroline Kennedy and the President's sister Jean Kennedy Smith will be part of the ceremonies in Ireland.

This is the first time in fifty years that the family has allowed the eternal flame in Arlington Cemetery to light another flame.