Today was after a wonderful concert last night, it was time for my next event which was a lively and most interesting debate. My next event being Politics, Pride & Equality - The Debate. From what I gather bottomline, the Politics of Marriage Equality. That was the basic line. So I got up, showered and got dressed. I was on my way over to Dublin City Library, where the event was being held, I was late by almost a half hour. Despite me being in that very building for more or less the same debate that was on last year, I still failed to locate the building. I asked a few people. Some were ignorant, some didn't actually didn't know it.What can ya do. But then I realised that the building was slightly older and I also noted the brand new Pearse Street Station. Boy I was gobsmacked. Absolutely lovely it is. So when I realsied and admired the new front, I went ahead inside to the Debate.
Adam Long Chaired the debate.
Following are the people who were on the panel.
Grainne Healy - Chair of the Marriag Equality group
Catherine Byrne - Fine Gael TD for Dublin South Central
Senator Ivana Bacik - Deputy Leader of Seanad (Labour)
Senator Averil Power - Fianna Fail
Cllr Chris Curran - Chair of Sinn Fein LGBT and Dublin Councillor
Cllr Roderic O'Gorman - Dublin Green Party Councillor
I recognised Tiernan from Glen and William.
The following are the proposals and ideas that were discussed at the debate.
It was proposed that the Labour Party is far more in favor of Marriage Equality more so than Fine Gael by the media. I can quite agree with him.
Senator Powers was asked something relating to the papers, and her response was 85% DON'T believe in the newspaper
It was also suggested that personal stories of the LGBT Community around the country will help the Yes side and help the campaign. If ever I was asked to get involve. There's no question, that I will be participating. After all, I was abused left right and center. No remorse., they go on LIEING, there way through to me, being hypocrites that they are. Like they know gay people yet they treated there own, like trash,
What was also suggested, was that we need to focus on the YOUNG people who actually support Same Sex Marriage and hence should get out and vote. However the majority just don't bother with referendums. Its the Older Ppl who vote in all weathers that we have to drive the message to them, to vote Yes in the Gay Marriage referendum. Currently USI is working on a campaign in colleges to get them to vote int eh Gay Marriage Referendum
Most importantly though, is the cross party support for the Referendum.
WE also have to be visible. Visibility is a major key. Instead of being closeted or even just keeping quite, get out their, be who you want to be, and force people to say, "There is such thing as Gay People" etc.,
Get friends talking etc about the issues that are faced by LGBT people on a constant daily struggle.
Getting equality we need to market European wide. Boris Dittrich has stated will help out in any way he can. Civil partnership was brought out in The Netherlands. It was the first country to bring it.
One fear facing the referendum is that of the gay couples have no family. We need to satisfy all the Fears out their.
Then onto the issue of Gender Recognition.
Currently its 18. So the panel agreed it should be brought down to 16, as medically speaking that's when the puberty kicks in and besides medically we have the right at 16 anyways. Gender recognition when person has changed gender. Denmark became the first country Europe for gender recognition and as such moves further and further away from sex, sexuality and gender model
In 1990 WHO(World Health Organisation) took Gay, Lesbian off da "mad/bad" list. - Grainne
Other points made at the Debate was:
Would it change constitutions of marriage r family if the Referendum were to be passed.
Constitution does not define marriage currently
"U start where u r. "
We need to put up armor for the things in the campaign
LGBT who r coming out n hearing the negativity in the course if the campaign
If we lose the fight and the Referendum is defeated, it will send us back to the "stone age".
As one member of the floor said, "We cannot afford to wait 10 yrs" let alone 40 to pass a legislation.
Instead of telling the No side what they can do with their facts and figures, WE can give them this as quoted by Chris Curran cllr. "Forgive them Lord for they don't no what to do. "
Using bullying tactics will result in strong no, its unfortunate but true. One member of the floor, had stated if we start yelling out about the Priests, and Catholicism covering up Kerry Babies, Mother and Home, etc., etc.,
Wording will need to be un confusing like the seanad switching lied to confusion n hence was defeated. Yes this needs to be done, right from day one. Unlike the Seanad referendum, it was blamed on the Wording of the Question on the Ballot Paper. It lead to confusion and hence was defeated.
Lgbt in da workplace educators
As long as the kids doing well in school the parents "don't give a damn about the sexual Orientation"(Sen power) of the educator
Can it be repealed the section 37 r removed. Recommended to change instead
Remove religious from school. That'd b brill. Let's move on.
Homonegativty
Homophobia: Tim from Amnesty who was on the floor, pointed instead of talking homophobia relating to fear and bullying etc., why can't we manifested it towards denying rights
Openness n being open opening minds.
So as you can see, a quite compelling debate. Quite interesting.
So Brendan O' F and I headed on home, and dispersed. While I was on my way home, I came across a bunch of girls, probably going to a party or whatever, were wanting to mess with me, by putting a cup ontop of me head. So I reacted quickly by swishing by hand and prevented them from doing their action. Perhaps they were wanting to just piss me off or perhaps with the TShirt: "Smile if you're Gay". Nobody, and I sincerely mean nobody gets away with bullying or whatever u wanna call. I was hidden and kept my mouth shut for too many years
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