SPI Statement on anti-Gay remarks made by Iris Rob

[Papa C.]

SPI Statement on anti-Gay remarks made by Iris Robinson.
06/06/2008

SPI Statement on anti-Gay remarks made by Iris Robinson.
The Starry Plough Initiative would like to register its outrage and disgust by the ignorant, homophobic and frankly stone-aged comments made by the wife of the first minister of the 'Northern Ireland Assembly' Iris Robinson directed at the Gay community and homosexuality in general. Our statement is in response to remarks made by Iris Robinson about how Gay people should go to psychiatrist to be ‘turned around’ after hearing a young man was seriously beaten in Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim because of his sexual-orientation.

Her remarks clearly demonstrate the bigoted, rightwing nature of the Democratic Unionist Party. There is nothing democratic about bigotry, there is nothing democratic about ignorance, there is nothing democratic about elitism and the Starry Plough Initiative are, frankly, shocked that the DUP think it is okay or correct to come out in public and make these comments in the 21st century or any century for that matter. It is not surprising that this story seemed to be completely omitted from any mainstream news publication in Ireland and Britain.

People’s sexual-orientation is nobody’s business but their own. Our friends in the Gay community contribute as much to the community and economy than anyone who is heterosexual. They should not be treated any differently and they should not be made targets for attack simply because of their sexuality.

The Starry Plough Initiative would like to state that it is not okay and it is not right to make these types of bigoted comments that conform more to a fascist mentality rather than a democratic one as the DUP claim to do. The DUP have again and again blackened the name of democracy and we would call upon anyone who shares our beliefs make their voices heard and protest against these comments.

How can someone with so much responsibility for the lives and health of working people in any part of Ireland hold such beliefs? By making these comments, Iris Robinson, is putting at risk the lives and well being of anyone who is in any way different and threaten a diverse future Ireland.

We would say to Iris Robinson that we believe she should take a class in human ethics and human rights before she attempts to take any responsibility for people’s lives in the Assembly in Stormont and we would also say to anyone who stands beside or behind her to distance themselves from the comments made, because those who stand with her are just as guilty. The people of the North should not allow bigotry to control their lives and continue to put people’s lives at risk.

The Starry Plough Initiative stands solid with all the working people in this country regardless of Religion, age or sexual-orientation and would like to offer our hand in support, friendship and solidarity for anyone who has been affected by bigotry of any sort at any time, bigotry which seems to be endorsed by the head of the state of Northern Ireland. It is very clear to the Starry Plough Initiative that the state of Northern Ireland is built on bigotry, is headed by bigotry and should be dismantled along with the bigoted mentality of the DUP.

Caoimhain Ceallaigh (Starry Plough Initiative)
Statement Ends.

[Stallit 2 de Halfo]

Great statement Papa C.

Youd be surprised how much this can trickle down to ordinary joe soap and their mentality. "If our leaders think its OK then it must be"

I found myself that the people in places like Ballymena are a different kettle of fish. I got water thrown over me twice by two seperate people, probably because of my racial characteristics, and its a sham the far-rightism of loyalism and unionism in general.

It can only be a good think for the republican movement, and the amount of protestants who joined over the years because they saw through the bigotry shows this.

[Papa C.]

Jun 6, 2008 22:00:30 GMT Stallit 2 de Halfo said:

Great statement Papa C.

Youd be surprised how much this can trickle down to ordinary joe soap and their mentality. "If our leaders think its OK then it must be"

That's the problem with having reactionaries in positions of power in any part of the country. They are all right wing and some have very bigoted views. As for the DUP. They have close ties with the Orange Order, the anti-catholic organisation. What purpose does it serve to be anti-catholic or anti-protestant anyway?

Jun 6, 2008 22:00:30 GMT Stallit 2 de Halfo said:

I found myself that the people in places like Ballymena are a different kettle of fish. I got water thrown over me twice by two seperate people, probably because of my racial characteristics, and its a sham the far-rightism of loyalism and unionism in general.

That's horrible to hear comrade.

Jun 6, 2008 22:00:30 GMT Stallit 2 de Halfo said:

It can only be a good think for the republican movement, and the amount of protestants who joined over the years because they saw through the bigotry shows this.

Very true. It must be hard for a Socialist living in far-right loyalist areas to have to deal with the knuckle-dragger mentality on a daily basis. Its bad enough down south!

[Stallit 2 de Halfo]

What purpose does it serve to be anti-catholic or anti-protestant anyway?

It serves the interest of British imperialism, the cause of sectarian identity up the north. Its unfortunate that some from the nationalist community see themselves as 'anti-protestant', that plays straight into Britains hands.

Also, and I know its VERY widespread and 'accepted', but i never really 'got' the purpose of wearing 'Celtic' Jersey's. It seems like a very sectarian thing to do.

That's horrible to hear comrade.

It only ever happened me twice. But that happened me twice in the space of about 2 hours up in Ballymenagh*. Thats not to say they are all like that, I found that most are just grand in protestant areas, really nice people.

In Dublin on O' Connell St. a 'Celtic Wolve" tried to knock me onto the ground by shouldering me while passing. Only for I was eating I would have ran and given the cunt a dropkick in the back. Them Nazi's are dangerous. I suspect he was a CW by his clothes hair and general appearance (boots, combats, skinhead etc).

again, this sort of thing is very rare. I dont look that much oput of place, I pitty an african.

Very true. It must be hard for a Socialist living in far-right loyalist areas to have to deal with the knuckle-dragger mentality on a daily basis. Its bad enough down south!

I know of at least 3 socialists from protestant areas on the internet alone. Ulstersocialist being one.

[Papa C.]

On the point of Celtic Jerseys


Back in the day when there was mass immigration from Ireland to Scotland. Rangers were set up to raise money and help the poor protestant community. Hibernian were set up as a reaction to that to help Irish Catholic families and areas. The Celtic football team were set up to help all communities regardless of religion or race as a counter to this sectarian idealism.

It is pretty well known among Celtic fans that the team have an anti-sectarian/ anti-racist ideal and that is why you will see so many republican-types wearing these jerseys. Celtic is about equality between the peoples using sport to unite and that is why there is so much tension between themselves and Rangers which is a British Government supporting team, loyalist if you will. There is a huge protestant following of the Celtic football team. You just rarely hear about it.

The papers and commentators will paint this, as they do with socialist/ republican clashes with loyalists as 'sectarian'. Although some will wear Celtic jerseys as a sectarian statement, most will wear them as a socialist statement or an anti sectarian statement. I'm not saying all Celtic fans are not sectarian as I know some fools are but the Celtic ideal is a socialist one.

[anticapitalist]

Jun 6, 2008 23:36:29 GMT Papa C. said:

On the point of Celtic Jerseys

There is a huge protestant following of the Celtic football team. You just rarely hear about it

there is also a huge amount of so called catholics who support rangers, we all probably know a few, but i never really thought about it from the opposite side around.

[Stallit 2 de Halfo]

there is also a huge amount of so called catholics who support rangers, we all probably know a few, but i never really thought about it from the opposite side around.

Really? ;D

I remember about 2 years ago two Playstation games were launched and in the shops. One was a 'Celtic FC' game, the other was a Rangers one.

All I know is that the shelf was full with the rangers one and not so many of the Celtic one. Why they bothered importing the rangers one i dont know. Id imagine it would be quite embarrissing for someone to pick up the rangers one and pay at the till - oh the shame ;D

There's a definite bias towards celtic - in Dublin anyway.

I never knew many protestants supported Celtic, similarly, there;s probably a stigma attached for them.

[anticapitalist]

Yeah one neighbour of my Mothers was out at his door one evening when rangers were playing, he had one of their jerseys on, i felt like throwing water over him when i seen it, boiling water,
no not really i think he just liked them for the football side of it, he was too stupid i think to be political, i hope.


another fella i know, his oul man served in the Brit navy i think he secretly supports them,
i think it's great having opposition close to home, it gives us something to strive for.
raging we did'nt qualify for the European championship, and England are not there either, so i won't even be able to cheer for them to lose.

[soldieroflife]

didnt micky devine support the 'gers...

ya irish catholics generally seem to be biased toward celtic,many bar stool republicans think being a celtic fanatic makes you more republican.sad but true.

on the comments, they are the type of thing which expose the DUP as exactly what they are and any forwarded thinking person no matter what religion colour or creed can see how idiotic and plain wrong those comments were.she's obviously an idiot

[anticapitalist]

[quote author=soldieroflife board=general thread=2024 post=6297 time=1212952141

]didnt micky devine support the 'gers...

According to an interview, i read by his sister, he did support them ,most lads just see it for the sport,

Heard on the radio todat that the PSNI have recieved a report about Robinson's wife's comments, and it stated that they wish to interview her, doubt it if that will happen.
The previous Polish president made similar comments when he was in Ireland a couple of years ago, think they use such chances as publicity stunts.
glad they lost 2 nil last night, not for the above reason, but for many others

[Stallit 2 de Halfo]

The previous Polish president made similar comments when he was in Ireland a couple of years ago, think they use such chances as publicity stunts.

Yeah I remember that.

glad they lost 2 nil last night, not for the above reason, but for many others

;D ;D

[Papa C.]

Jun 8, 2008 19:09:01 GMT soldieroflife said:

ya irish catholics generally seem to be biased toward celtic,many bar stool republicans think being a celtic fanatic makes you more republican.sad but true.

on the comments, they are the type of thing which expose the DUP as exactly what they are and any forwarded thinking person no matter what religion colour or creed can see how idiotic and plain wrong those comments were.she's obviously an idiot

Welcome to the boards comrade! Thanks for the comments. Hope you stick around for a bit.