Post by RedFlag32 on Jun 23, 2007 21:41:09 GMT
Paisley refuses to apologise for gay remarks
22nd June 2007 15:00
Tony Grew
A junior minister in the government of Northern Ireland has stood by his
comments that gay people are repulsive.
Ian Paisley Jnr rejected calls for him to apologise. He is a junior
minister in the Northern Ireland Executive, headed by his father Rev Ian
Paisley.
"What is done is done, I've said those comments why should I try and hide
what I've done," Mr Paisley told the local politics programme Let's Talk
last night.
He pointed out that his statements were not against the law. Sinn Fein and
SDLP members of the local Assembly have demanded an apology.
Mr Paisley, 41, told Hotpress magazine last month:
"I am pretty repulsed by gay and lesbianism. I think it is wrong. I think
that those people harm themselves and - without caring about it - harm
society.
"That doesn't mean to say that I hate them. I mean, I hate what they do."
There has been concern at Mr Paisley's remarks because the Office of First
Minister and Deputy First Minister, where he is a junior minister, is
responsible for ensuring equality for gay people.
Mr Paisley Jnr is a member of the DUP representing Antrim North in the
Northern Ireland Assembly.
He was appointed to the government job by his father, First Minister Ian
Paisley Snr, in May.
Northern Ireland gay rights activist Andrew Muir pointed out that Mr
Paisley's comments could cause harm, despite his protestations that he
does not hate gay people.
"Our research proves that 29% of young people have actually attempted
suicide because of homophobia in society and I think these comments are
very concerning."
www.pinknews .co.uk
22nd June 2007 15:00
Tony Grew
A junior minister in the government of Northern Ireland has stood by his
comments that gay people are repulsive.
Ian Paisley Jnr rejected calls for him to apologise. He is a junior
minister in the Northern Ireland Executive, headed by his father Rev Ian
Paisley.
"What is done is done, I've said those comments why should I try and hide
what I've done," Mr Paisley told the local politics programme Let's Talk
last night.
He pointed out that his statements were not against the law. Sinn Fein and
SDLP members of the local Assembly have demanded an apology.
Mr Paisley, 41, told Hotpress magazine last month:
"I am pretty repulsed by gay and lesbianism. I think it is wrong. I think
that those people harm themselves and - without caring about it - harm
society.
"That doesn't mean to say that I hate them. I mean, I hate what they do."
There has been concern at Mr Paisley's remarks because the Office of First
Minister and Deputy First Minister, where he is a junior minister, is
responsible for ensuring equality for gay people.
Mr Paisley Jnr is a member of the DUP representing Antrim North in the
Northern Ireland Assembly.
He was appointed to the government job by his father, First Minister Ian
Paisley Snr, in May.
Northern Ireland gay rights activist Andrew Muir pointed out that Mr
Paisley's comments could cause harm, despite his protestations that he
does not hate gay people.
"Our research proves that 29% of young people have actually attempted
suicide because of homophobia in society and I think these comments are
very concerning."
www.pinknews .co.uk
