THEGAYUK

Tag: Ireland News

Get the latest LGBT+ Ireland news from THEGAYUK. Breaking news, features and interviews from the gay community in Ireland.

  • Ireland Makes History Will Pro Gay Marriage Yes Vote

    After a high turn out, the votes have been counted for the historic same-sex marriage referendum vote in Ireland and Ireland has overwhelmingly voted yes to allowing gay couples the right to marry.

    Gay and lesbian couples will now be able to get married in Ireland thanks to the historic referendum vote that took place on Friday 22nd May. More than 62% of those voted, voted in favour. The referendum enjoyed a 60% turn out.

    With no exit poll it proved difficult to guess what the outcome would be, but pundits were quietly confident that the result would be Yes, meaning that same-sex couples will be afforded the rights to marry in Ireland.

    The referendum on whether same-sex couple could marry was held 22 years after homosexuality was decriminalised in the Republic of Ireland.

    In total, 1,201,607 people voted in favour of same-sex marriage, while 734,300 voted against.

    The same-sex marriage referendum in Ireland has become worldwide news as countries around the world wait to see the outcome of what will be the first ever-public vote on gay rights.

    Ireland had a referendum on the subject of gay marriage because of its written constitution, which can only be changed by a public vote. Same-sex marriage will now be protected by the constitution.

  • COMMENT | The Natural Order, Marriage Referendum

    Friday 22nd May sees an important and somewhat historic day for Ireland, as a marriage referendum will be cast to see if same-sex marriage will be legalised.

    If the yes vote wins out, Ireland will be the first country in the world to pass a marriage equality bill by national vote. This is an exciting time, not only for the Irish nation but also for LGBT rights in general.

    Throughout my social media feeds there are pleas for both sides of the argument, which as I read from comment to comment make me happy and frustrated in equal measure. As I scroll through them I can’t help but be reminded of two years ago, when the bill was being rolled through our parliament here in Britain.

     

    Back then in February 2013, I posted an online survey asking the social media flock for their anonymous opinions on the matter at hand. The artist in me decided to delve into it head first to find out whether the people of Great Britain had great pride or great prejudice. I created a photographic series entitled The Natural Order with some of my results. Somewhat unfortunately this piece is still relevant today so in lieu of Friday’s vote I decided to dig into my archives and promote it again.

    I posted one simple thing:

    “Please can you tell me what your honest opinions are about same-sex marriage. Be as negative or as positive as you like, just be honest.”

     

    And honest they were…

    Homosexuals are obviously mentally twisted since they resist what nature has already determined. Their deviant sexual behaviors are proven to be disease ridden and from personal experience I can say that they have been an unusual high percentage of child predators. Gay marriage normalizes their gross ways and will endanger our children.”

    “It’s a sickness on our society in every sense of the word. Homosexuality, to me, is just as bad as incest. Two people of the same family having sex, let alone getting married, is instinctively frowned upon. So why in black thunder does anyone think it should be perfectly acceptable for two members of the same gender to have sex, let alone get married?”

    “They must be deranged in the mind to fight against the natural order of God’s creation. All they see is happy pink not their disgusting truth.”

    I had prepared myself for the odd negative comment, but still found myself completely taken aback by the outrageous opinions festering in these strangers’ minds. Some of the negativity made me want to laugh, some made me angry and some produced a bizarre mixture of both. Being compared to a “child predator“ was one comment in particular that made me laugh at first and then turn red in the face with frustration. The comment about incest is too ridiculous to even comment on.

    A lot of the anonymous writers questioned the mental state of a homosexual person – suggesting we are “deranged in the mind.” These comments empower the belief that a heterosexual couple should be celebrated because they’re committed to one another yet a homosexual couple should be committed for wanting the same celebration.

    “It’s a direct mockery of the natural order of things (i.e God’s creation). While I’ve heard some people argue that it happens in the animal kingdom, I have to remind you that we, as humans, are not dumb animals! God did not intend for members of the same sex to marry each other, otherwise he would’ve created two men and two women, and told them their options…”

    “It’s disgusting and unnatural”

    “Marriage is religious construct, you cannot ask for something that the religion does not believe in.”

    The reasoning behind the majority of this adverse attitude was unsurprisingly linked to religion; something that I’m certain will be the root of the no votes in Ireland on Friday. I received a constant reference to “God’s natural order,” throughout the replies. As an atheist who is standing up for same-sex rights, my view of God’s natural order is obviously biased but the consistent referral to His creation made me just as angry as being called a peadophile.

    I’m not here to list my anti-religious views or argue whether God exists but I cannot justify intelligent human minds in today’s society using God as an excuse. If there is a God, then he created me, and he created me as a homosexual. It is irritating that some people still see homosexuality as a choice, when it is not. It is natural and because that fact is somehow lost in translation between homosexuals and heterosexuals, the anti-crowd turns straight to God as an alibi for their ignorance. Quite a large chunk of my conceptual photographs were created with a religious thought in mind.

    “How is it acceptable for a heterosexual person to marry several times but not for a gay person to marry once?”

    “Currently, 50% of heterosexual marriages end in divorce & those are people who have never had to fight for the marital right. But, like the now infamous image states “Marriage is a human right, not a heterosexual privilege.”

    I am pleased to say that a lot of the survey feedback was positive. The above two answers suggest interesting points about the state of heterosexual marriage – competing with another survey reply,

    “Homosexuals will make marriage a joke.” I am uncertain whether the quoted statistic above of 50% is a fact but it still leads to the same conclusion that many people remarry and remarry and have the right to do so yet a same sex couple cannot have the same privilege even once.

    “Homosexuals will make marriage a joke.” I am uncertain whether the quoted statistic above of 50% is a fact but it still leads to the same conclusion that many people remarry and remarry and have the right to do so yet a same sex couple cannot have the same privilege even once.

    “Unnatural and Immoral. You have to ask yourself what would Jesus do? And know that his answer would be opposed to the ludicrousness.”

    The results I gathered made for interesting reading no matter how absurd or low the answerer sunk. They became the backbone to my personal conceptual art project The Natural Order. For the negative results, I wanted to turn the answers into a “ludicrous” version of themselves through portraiture and tableaus. Whereas the positive results simply inspired me to push further towards equality awareness.

    I was disgusted that the opinions collated through modern social networking sites contradicted the modern means with the old fashioned views. Yet as the same-sex marriage bill still steadily rolls its way through the world, soon the opinions of the anti-party will be voided out by the equal rights decision to allow anyone to get married, no matter their gender. It is only natural after all.

    The series was part of a group exhibition at UCA Rochester Campus in June 2013 and can be seen now online here www.markgoggin.tumblr.com.

    “Love is love, we are born the way we’re born, and it’s literally stupid to think homosexuals shouldn’t be allowed to marry in the same way heterosexuals are. Why is it STILL even up for discussion? Equality for all, one earth.”

     

     

    Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.

  • Even Kids Are Saying Yes To Gay Marriage In Ireland

    The folks behind the “YES” Campaign in Ireland’s Referendum for Marriage Equality are doing such an amazing job.

     

    Hot on the trail of the Video we shared with you the other day comes another wee heartwarming film about what children think of it all. If this doesn’t move those voters who are still sitting on the fence on the issue, then nothing will.

     

  • Irish Gay Marriage Vote: Bring Your Family With You

    A recent poll in Ireland found that 76% of adults believe that that same–sex couples should have a right to marry, now they just have to get them to the Polling Stations on May 22 to vote YES on the national referendum o marriage equality.

    The Irish LGBT advocacy group BeLonG To Youth Services has produced a touching ad to make sure people get out and vote … We defy anyone to watch this and not start to get watery eyes.

    If the referendum passes, (or hopefully ‘when’) the following line will be added to the country’s constitution: “Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex.”

    Share this video with anyone you know who may know an Irish voter.

     

  • Top 10 Hottest Irish Actors

    Ireland is famous for many things. As a proud Irish man myself, I’ve grown up with Riverdance, Sinead O’Connor’s numerous tabloid meltdowns, Guinness, the outdated stereotypes of leprechauns and pots of gold. Oh, and Irish men. Because you see, ain’t nobody can do it like an Irish boy.

    In the past we’ve swooned over Pierce Brosnan, Liam Neeson and more recently Colin Farrell, but there’s a smouldering new pack of Emerald hunks about to take Hollywood by storm and set hearts aflutter. These 10 guys will want you wishing you had some Irish in you.

    10 ) An acquired taste perhaps, but anyone who has seen Michael’s stunning performances on Hunger or Shame, would know that the Kerryman is well, ahem, equipped. Fassbender has been on a steady rise to stardom the past few years. Smouldering, intense, Michael Fassbender is an intriguing proposition.

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  • Watch This Amazing Marriage Equality Video: ARMAGAYDDON

    A brilliant parody video has emerged about the future results of same-sex marriage in Ireland circa 2017.

    The video, which was produced by like:minded productions in association with LGBT Noise, shows what life could be like for two non-gays in Ireland two years after gay marriage.

    The video has already been seen by over 180,000 people.

    Currently same-sex couples can be civilly partnered under the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010.

    A discussion about the legal recognition of same-sex marriages in the Irish Constitution has grown in Ireland recently. This amendment is due to be discussed in February to April 2015.

  • Coca-Cola slammed for gay couple removal in irish broadcast

    Coco-Cola the world’s biggest drinks manufacturer has been slammed for removing the gay couple segment from the Irish version of the advert.

    A Spokesperson for the drinks company said:

    “The wedding images used in the ad for the UK and in other parts of Europe show two men getting married.

    “The reason this was changed for Ireland is while civil partnership for gay people is legal, gay marriage currently is not. We wanted each ad to be relevant and valid for its own market.”

    Coca-Cola trended in Ireland as many people took to the social network to complain about the edit.

    Adam Long an LGBT Rights activist from Dublin said:

    “@CocaCola Ireland excuse for deleting gay couple from ad just not credible. Cut scene could just as easily have been a Civil Partnership

    “Accurate ‘consumer research’ on issue would also tell @CocaCola that Ireland has one of the highest levels of support for marriage equality.

    “@CocaCola Ireland made a bad call. They need to apologise to the Irish LGBT community and put the deleted scene back into ad #cocacolaadvert”

    TheGayUK has asked the spokespeople for Coca-Cola about the scenes shot for the advert – as it is impossible to tell whether the scene is a marriage or civil partnership. We’ve yet to receive a response.

    The first same-sex marriages are to be legal in the UK in March 2014.

    The new ad campaign by Coca-Cola, which is called ‘Reasons To Believe’, shows a male same-sex couple holding hands in wedding suits in the UK, but the Irish version of the same advert omits the scene for a straight interracial couple walking down the aisle.

    The advert is apparently tweaked to fit where the advert is shown – with the gay couple being shown everywhere in Europe where gay marriage and civil partnerships are currently legal.

    Coca-Cola has been under fire recently for not speaking about LGBT issues in the run-up to the Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia. On the 22nd of December a PR event hosted by the company was ambushed by Peter Tatchell and other gay rights protesters.

    “Coke is sponsoring the Sochi Winter Olympics, without even a murmur of unease at the anti-gay and repressive policies of the Putin government. It is shameful acquiescence with oppression,” said Peter Tatchell, Director of the human rights advocacy organisation, the Peter Tatchell Foundation, who coordinated the protest.

    “By sponsoring the Sochi Winter Olympics, Coca Cola is rewarding the Putin regime; giving it legitimacy and credibility. Coke’s sponsorship comes at a time when homophobia and other human rights abuses are widespread in Russia.

    “It is shocking that Coca Cola has not been willing to express its disquiet at the anti-gay legislation and violence in Russia. Equally remiss is Coke’s unwillingness to speak out against other Russian human rights abuses.”

    In a survey by TheGayUK, 96.3% of respondents believed that commercially supporting Russia’s winter Olympics threatened a company’s LGBT friendly image.

  • COLUMN: Two Glasses Of Water And A Gay Mag

    Hark back to the summer of 2003 and what do you recall? The scorching Indian summer? Beyoncé’s ‘Crazy In Love’ blasting out of every radio, Topshop, hair salon and car stereo?

     

    Me? Well, I was fresh out of college with the usual aspirations of world domination. The comedown from the heady student days was starting to kick in. My newfound residency at the dole queue was another bone of contention. My battle with my sexuality was nearing a denouement. After all the soul searching and pathetic, half arsed attempts at being a Hetty, I had as good as conceded a blissful, euphoric defeat to queerness.

     

    It was time to take the plunge, albeit gradually. At the time I was spending a summer of discontent in Dublin dossing around with my best mate and the hot straight guy from college I was convinced I could turn. There comes a time in every novice Homo’s life when they have to take that rite of passage. No not that one… Thats another story… The other one. Yes, your first visit to a gay bar. Funnily enough the song of the same name by Electric Six was a hit at the time. Sang to me at regular intervals by the hot straight guy from college I was convinced I could turn.

    The pub in question for me was the granddaddy of them all on the Dublin gay scene -THE GEORGE!

     

    Located in Central Dublin, I had often walked by and stared at it’s alluring, purple exterior. In the back of my mind noting that sooner or later, I would tentatively mince through it’s purple doors. And it was to be sooner. Bored and skint, me and my best friend and future hag had decided to go. One drink, that was it. Walk in, have a look around, absorb it all, the faces, smells. I wasn’t expecting to pull, I probably would’ve run a mile had I been approached.

     

    It was a gorgeous, bright Dublin evening, of the type you can just get lost in. I didn’t worry about what to wear. It was a whistle stop visit after all. I settled on a a tight, casual green top from what I can remember, that would extenuate the appalling farmers tan I had accumulated that summer and the obligatory pair of jeans. Every strand of hair was lubricated and gelled to within an inch of its life.

     

    My stomach spoke of pure terror. I walked briskly through the inner city streets, talking a mile a minute to disguise how tense I was feeling. It wasn’t all one way though. There were overwhelming pangs of excitement. All these feelings danced and collided together with such a life affirming gush. Time to taste the rainbow.

     

    The closer we were getting to The George, that stupid feeling of naïve terror persisted to tease me. What was so terrifying? It’s the realisation and culmination of it all. We’ve all been there. Wrestle and grapple with al those feelings. Taking that great leap of faith. I wasn’t blessed with much confidence back then. I envy the younger generation of confident and relaxed gay youths with their heads seemingly screwed on.

     

    The purple cauldron of The George was just in sight as we waited at the traffic lights on Dame Street. We arrived. No fanfare, no epic Europop anthem to soundtrack it all.

    I was the youngest thing in there. I could feel every stare and every head that turned. Unbeknown to me at the time, this was the part of the bar frequented by the older clientele. Granted, there were a few relics propping up the bar, there was only a a very small band of people in there. Less than 10 I think, including the bar staff.

     

    Of course my best friend and I hadn’t a pot to piss in at the time. I was mortified walking up to the bar and ordering two glasses of water. The look he gave me. So no money to even grab a pint to knock back and neutralise the anxiety and self consciousness.

     

    Admittedly it was flattering to get those few, paltry stares. All those older eyes must’ve seen so may awkward new pretenders come and go over the years. And here I was. All scrawny body, farmers tan and badly manicured Craig David beard.

     

    We sat in a quiet corner, as you do, sipped our waters and looked around. Absorbed. Took it all in. Sitting in a gay bar in Dublin, knocking back a glass of water. Talk about living the dream. I laugh now. At the time I felt like I’d scaled Everest and erased world poverty.

    There was nothing to see. I don’t even know what I wanted to see. I just knew I wanted to be there. Even if there was only a handful of people clutching cigarettes and drinks, sheltered from the impending July dusk.

     

    We didn’t do much the pair of us. I went for a piss intending to make eye contact with everyone, to let them know I was here. On the way back from the toilet I did the same thing. We then found ourselves transfixed by a couple snogging the faces off each other. We tried not to look, but when we did, we giggled incessantly like two schoolgirls. My mate’s face was priceless.

    We finished our waters, grabbed a tonne of free gay listings mags and left. A bit of an anti climax but a worthy one. As I laughed my way through the sunlit streets of Dublin, I knew I’d be back. Keep me seat, mine’s a water.