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www.Gay-Ireland.com - News
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Media Watch
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Brian Dowling opens new Dublin cafe
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Camp TV personality Brian Dowling was in Dublin on Wednesday March 13th to launch a new Internet cafe `Yeah` - The Dawson street store, which boasts the best internet services in the city, flew
Brian over from London to cut the red ribbon on the shop.
Brian of course is an unusual choice to
open an internet store as he is a self-confused newbie when it comes to computers.
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Thursday, 14 February 2002
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St Patricks Day NYC 2002
We have been asked to post the following message relating to Patricks Day in New York.
---->
Hey Everyone,
It`s that time of year again, "when were all off to 5th ave in the
green, in the green..." oh wait, except for the Irish lgbt.
This year we have a new mayor, Mr Bloomberg who stated during his
election campaign that he would not be
marching in the St.pats day parade. He has now decided that he is going
to march in this bigoted parade to honor all
the victims and the rescue workers of september the 11th?
We need your help in asking the mayor not to march in the parade,
please
send letters to Mr Bloomberg , Irish Echo,
Irish voice and the Irish media in Ireland. I have enclosed a sample
letter that you can use to send to Mayor
Bloomberg or you can do your own. It is really important the Echo &
Voice recieve letters from Irish people living in
Ireland Supporting the lgbt community, most of the Irish Americans are
ultra conservative and view Ireland the way
they left it 60 years ago (I`m sure this is not news to any of ye).
Thanks for the support,
Irish Queers
grainne close <grainne_close@hotmail.com>
Mayor Michael Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007
Dear Mayor Bloomberg:
Your decision to march in the St. Patrick`s day parade- an overtly
exclusionary, bigoted parade-not only blantly
contradicts a capaign promise, but aligns you squarely with the
unrepentant homophobia of the parade organizers.
The st.Patrick`s Day parade has clearly and deliberately defined
itself
as a venue for marchers who do not support
civil rights; who are willing to invoke the right of religion to place
themselves out of reach of civil rights law; to exclude
lesbian, gay and transgendered people, as in the past they excluded
women, Irish community members resisting
British occupation, people of color and people in wheelchairs. The
presence of police and firefighters does not
change this fact. Similarly, your own presence does not promote
inclusion "from the inside", but simply lends the
strength of the mayor`s office to the exclusion.
There are many ways to honor the victims and the rescue workers of
September 11th, and there are many reasons,
particularly now, to stand strong for civil rights. We hope you will
choose a venue that honors all people affected by
9/11- queers, people of color, immigrants and others whose civil rights
are under attack right now-and which does not
serve to pit the NYPD and FDNY against the people of New York City.
Sincerely,
IRISH ECHO: Editor- Tom Connelly: tconnelly@irshecho.com, 309 5th ave,
New York, NY, 10016-6548
IRISH VOICE: letters sent to letters@irishvoice.com, letters to the
Editor 432 Park Ave. South, suite 1503 , New York,
NY 10016.
When you send a letter to any of the above could you please let us
know.
Thanks
Looking forward to hearing from you all.
grainne close grainne_close@hotmail.com
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Wednesday, 13 February 2002
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Hotpress Magazine to launch Gay special
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A forthcoming issue of Hot Press Magazine will be taking an in-depth look at the Irish Gay Scene, celebrating its myriad manifestations, its vibrancy and the colour and excitement it adds to Irish life in general.
From the bigoted early days, Irish society has come a long way towards
accepting those with Gay leanings and interests, although there is still,
unfortunately, much work to be done in this area. Hot Press has traditionally argued from an inclusive pro-Gay stance, often during times of
considerable resistance, but the focus of this feature will be to look at
the upside of Gay Ireland and to accentuate and celebrate the positive.
The forthcoming Hot Press special feature will take a look at how Gay
culture has become a key feature of Irish life in several different areas,
from music to art to film, sport and politics.
If you have any comments, details of special events, photos, information,
advertising copy etc., please send it to Gay-Ireland.com or forward it to Hotpress directly
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Saturday, 09 February 2002
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Athlone GLB society launch website
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Athlone`s Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Society have just completed the initial Web site.
The Society has been running for about a year now and have a membership of about 60 in total.
It was set up as a support group for people in the Midlands region.
The address is http://homepage.eircom.net/~athloneglb if you require any more information please do not hesitate to contact Jay the Society Coordinator.
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Wednesday, 09 January 2002
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Northern Ireland`s gay Magazine
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Not content with helping in the organisation of Belfast Pride, Jasper Knight and Mark Winter have
got together to bring out `Pride Post` a new magazine that carries scene news, articles, advice and humour aimed at a Northern Ireland Audience. Copies of the magazine can be obtained by sending an A5 self-addressed envelop to Pride Post, PO BOX 160, Belfast, BT1 2AU.
The editors would appreciate your ideas and feedback. Watch out for a feature article on `Pride Post` next week on www.Gay-Ireland.com
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Thursday, 27 December 2001
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Graham Norton - 5 nights a week
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Camp Irish Comic, Graham Norton looks set to launch a weeknight chat show
on channel four, the show will be a reworked version of his award winning
So Graham Norton show, which currently shows once a week on Fridays.
Norton`s company `So Television` looks set to sign a contract with channel four
to produce the as yet untitled venture. Graham has featured in three major channel four programs over the christmas season plus has recently released his first `Stand up` DVD.
More Information
www.channel4.co.uk
www.producion.com
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Discussion on homophobic media reports
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On Nov 30th The Dublin Queer Studies group will hold a Mass Media discussion on the recent spate of homophobic media reports in the _Evening Herald_, _Sunday People_, and more recently, Hot Press Magazine.
These reports were written in the wake of the September 11 massacre in the United States, the appearance of a new book claiming that Hitler was gay,
and David Norris`s denouncement of the present pope as `evil`.
Photocopies of the aforementioned will be
provided, as will a queer response to the _Evening Herald_ piece.
Some examples on topics that will be dealt with...
From `Queer fascists: a book concerning Adolf Hitler`s alleged homosexuality gives our correspondent pause for thought` in _Hot Press_ `
I am not surprised by the extent to which Nazi thinking was influenced by homosexuals. There is a thread of misogyny that runs through many gay men; an aesthetic that places style
over content, control over feeling. A community of men that excludes the input of women is more likely to
seek and glorify strength/expansion/growth/progress/war and disregard human pain/suffering/feeling/"weakness"`.
From `Osama terrorists` gay secret revealed` in the _Evening Herald_ `Homosexuality is not an uncommon phenomenon among the most fervent believers of any faith, particularly when a facet of that religion prohibits normal contact with members of the opposite sex. In the Arab world, particularly in Saudi Arabia
where women are not allowed to interact with men freely, homosexuality is rife...In a society like that of Saudi Arabia, normal relationships between m(e)n and women are almost impossible to develop`.
From `Gay Irishmen say: "we are so Keane on Roy"` in the _Sunday People_ `Soccer hardman Roy Keane is set
to become an icon for Ireland`s gay community! The 29-year-old-Corkman will set the hearts of gay men aflutter when he appears in Ireland`s first gay
magazine _GI_...The tongue-in-cheek article is set to infuriate the football star who is happily married
with four children`.
From `David`s head is filled with pope dreams` in the _Sunday People_ `So gay senator David Norris believes
the pope is "evil"...Exactly what is he on?..Isn`t it peculiar that anyone who has different views from the gay community is immediately dubbed a card-carrying member of the Third Reich?..Mr Norris, it really is time to get a life...`
All meetings take place in WERRC Resource Room, UCD
between 17:00 and 19:00
More Info at
www.ucd.ie/~werrc/dublinqueer.html
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`Shirley has no luck with audience numbers`
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Media Watch :
Tonight`s Evening Herald ran a report on Telly Bingo, the programme fronted by popular drag queen star `Shirley Temple Bar`, the paper claims that the show attracts 110,000 viewers during its early evening slot on RTE1, meanwhile,
`Judge Judy` showing on TV3 at the same time attracts 136,000.
However RTE bosses are pleased with the new presenter of the show and realise how difficult it is to attract viewers
so early in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, Shirley has been packing out the George every Sunday at Bingo, the night is now sponsored by Absolut vodka and the star prize is a Vespa Scooter, which will be given away before the end of November.
More Information
www.gay-ireland.com/you/drag/Dragindex.asp
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Thursday, 18 October 2001
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Ireland`s new gay glossy GI magazine was launched last night (17/10/01) at Dublin`s Morrison Hotel, 100`s were entertained at the exclusive basement club by TV star Brendan Courtney.
Guests were treated to food and drink plus dozens of freebies. The magazine was kept behind curtains
guarded by two hunky models until 8.00 when Editor Brian Finnegan took to the stage to welcome everybody and give credit to people involved in the magazine.
The magazine looks fantastic and is sure to be a huge hit, Samantha Mumba who appears in the first issue was there, much to the delight of many in the crowd.
More Information
www.gay-ireland.com/GI/issue1.asp
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Wednesday, 17 October 2001
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Revvlon Returns Home to Belfast
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Belfast`s Biggest Drag act`Revvlon` has returned to her beloved Kremlin,
the 7ft tall wonder spent all summer in Sunny Australia, even taking time out
to perform to the locals.
Revvlon has now settled back in with her duties of DJ and host of the Weakest Pink quiz show, infact if not for a slight Kylie Minouge accent
you wouldnt know she had been away at all.
More Information
Revvlons online Diary
www.gay-ireland.com/revvlon/index.asp
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Friday, 28 September 2001
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Shirley Temple Bar on Late Late show
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One of Ireland`s best loved Drag Acts - Shirley Temple Bar, appeared on tonights Late Late Show with Pat Kenny to advertise her slot on Telly Bingo.
Shirley was the first guest of the night and entertained the crowd with stories of Ann Doyle and Twink. Footage of bingo at the George was shown thru-out the interview including Shirly miming to Ronan Keatings `You say it best` complete with sign language.
Telly Bingo will air twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays at 4.00pm We will bring you a full Review of the show when it airs this week.
More on Drag:
www.gay-ireland.com/you/drag/Dragindex.asp
More on Vision:
www.gay-ireland.com/Features/vision/index.asp
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Friday, 07 September 2001
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Brian Dowling appears on Late Late show
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Big Brother`s Brian Dowling appeared alongside Pat Kenny on the first episode of this season`s
Late Late show.
During the interview, Brian Revealed that he has handed in his notice at Ryanair however he remained tight lipped on his much speculated future Television career.
Pat also chatted with Brians mother and asked her about Brian`s coming out, she gave her son 100% support altho at first
questioned if he was just being gay because it was fashionable.
Brian later took part in a charity quiz where
he was locked inside a glass cube and had to collect vouchers within a certain time limit.
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Saturday, 01 September 2001
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Annie Balls quiz show in headlines
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Annie Balls - Star of The Missing Link Quiz on Thursday Nights in the George found herself sharing a two page article with Fellow quiz show hosts Eamonn Dunphy and Anne Robinson when The Evening Herald covered the cult Game Show in its Entertainment Section Last Wednesday (29/08/01)
Drag Queen Annie Balls has been the quiz master of the show for the past two months, the show itself is
to start a run on TV3 with Eamonn Dunphy this Autumn. Annie is no stranger to quiz show`s having being
involved with many of earlier bingo shows in the George on Sunday nights.
The Herald`s reporter took part in the show upon the stage in the George, but was voted off in one of the earlier rounds, he met Annie`s temper face to face and rates her more of a bitch than The BBC veteran Anne Robinson.
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Huge turn out to meet Big Brother star Brian Dowling
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Brian Dowling from Channel 4`s Big Brother has attracted a crowd of 1000`s at Easons on O`connell street.
The £70,000 prize winner from Kildare attended a signing of the official Big Brother book along with fellow contestant Penny Ellis.
The signing lasted two and a half hours, with not everyone getting to meet Brian.
A spokesman for Easons said it was the biggest event at Easons since David Beckham`s appearance.
The unexpected stretched half way down Abbey Street. Brian, who came out to his parents just days before entering the big
brother house is expected to return to his hometown tonight for the first time since winning the popular game show.
More Information
www.Briandowling.net
www.channel4.com/bigbrother
www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2001/0821/breaking41.htm
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Latex Gloves given out to college students
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Freshers starting college in October will be given a safe sex pack,
one of the items in the pack is a rubber latex glove which has caused some controversy.
UCD Students`Union President told Pat Kenny`s radio show that he wants to make sure that the Freshers
know what the glove is for and how it should be used. In particular, he wanted to stress it should be used once.
He pointed out that it should be worn during some practices of both a homosexual and heterosexual nature.
More Information
www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si=498304&issue_id=5121
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Newspaper come`s out for Big Brother`s Brian
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Popular British Newspaper `The Mirror` has "come out" to support Brian Dowling, the gay contestant from Kildare on Channel 4`s hit reality game show Big Brother.
The paper says that “gay Brian puts the sparkle in Big Brother”
The front page article feels that the other characters do not stand a chance
against Brian "He is the diamond in the dust. He must win. For any of the others to get it would be a victory for dullards or dopes.
“None of the rest deserves 70p, let alone £70,000.”
Meanwhile lovebirds Paul and Helen have been nominated for eviction this week.
For more information visit www.channel4.com/bigbrother
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Boy George Tells of homophobic taunts in London
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Boy George has blasted homophobia in Rap Music in an interview in Q magazine, the singer told of how he feared for his life after attending a recent Missy Elliot gig in Brixton.
he tells of hundreds of chanting people that surrounded his car after the gig and told the magazine:
"If the police hadn`t been there I would`ve been killed. I`ve never been so scared in all the time I`ve lived in London."
Eminem was singled out by the singer going on to add "As the rap community is really homophobic it would be really good
if Eminem were to say something different. People say he should have the right to say what he wants.
But I don`t think he should - at least he shouldn`t be celebrated for it."
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Dublin Male Rape attacker receives 5 year sentence
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Algerian National, Akoen Malik has been jailed for five years by Mr. Justice Patrick Smith.
The 40 Year old man also risks deportation following an incident dating November 18 1998. The attacker met his victim at a club in Dublin`s `Temple Bar Music Center`, the two progressed to Malik`s flat on the North Circular Road in Phibsboro, where the charges of `buggery, aggravated sexual assault, assault causing harm and producing a lethal weapon` took place.
The victim has since returned to France however he is having difficulty holding down a steady job following disturbing nightmares from which he still suffers.
Defence Counsel Peter Finlay has described Malik as `an extremely isolated person`, who has not received any visits since going into custody in November 1998.
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`Gay Bishop` to sell Louth church to pay off debts
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Media Watch:- A report in the Sunday Mirror dated 24th June 2001 tells how the church in county Louth used for mixed marriage weddings will be sold off to pay off £137,000 worth of debts rung up by gay Bishop Pat Buckley.
The paper also features a picture of the Bishop with popular Belfast Drag Act `Titti Von Trapp`
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Ireland`s "first" gay groom exposed in pump theft
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Media Watch:- Rory Patterson, Ireland`s first openly gay groom (according to the Sunday Mirror 24/06/01) was placed on probation for a year as a result of stealing petrol from filling stations and using false number plates.
Patterson married his lover Darren Nicholl in April in a wedding performed by "rebel" bishop Pat Buckley. The 20 year old is unable to carry out any community service due to ill health.
For more information see The Sunday Mirror dated June 24th 2001
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Gay Church Group Plan Irish Protests
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An article in the Evening Herald dated 23rd June 2001 revealed that a militant gay Catholic group are planning a trip to Ireland to protest against the Catholic Church`s stance on homosexuality by receiving holy communion and wearing rainbow coloured sashes inside churches.
The Australian group known as RSM - Rainbow Sash Movement plan an October visit and will attend Mass at the Pro Cathedral in Dublin before moving on to St. Peter`s in Belfast
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Stephen Gately looses record contract
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An article on dotmusic has revealed that Label Bosses at Polydor have been negotiating terminating Stephen Gately’s record contract. However the record company so far have neither been able to confirm nor deny claims.
Stephen’s solo career started off on a positive note with ‘New Beginning’ reaching number three in the UK.
However recent singles have not been as successful . The star recently announced that he wanted to break into musicals and subsequently auditioned for the lead role in the West End stage production of `Billy Liar`. Former `EastEnders` actor Sid Owen beat him to the part.
Stephen remarked that he would love boyzone to reform, during a recent interview. It`s thought that Ronan Keating is the only obstacle preventing the reunion.
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Big Brother Brian`s Media Exposure
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Ireland`s newest star Brian Dowling, made famous thanks to the new series of channel 4 has enjoyed huge media exposure since the programme first aired on Saturday.
He has appeared on the front of several newspapers and so far is the favorite to win the £70,000 prize.
The Irish Sun 26/05/01 was the first to feature Brian on the cover with the headline `Queer we go again`
The Sunday World - 27/05/01 ran an article titled `Brian`s gay fear`, which commented on Brians fear at coming out to the other males in the big brother house.
Yesterday`s Irish Star - 28/05/01 revealed that Brian is related to Hollywood star George Clooney altho` he as yet is unaware of the relationship.
Brian currently has odd`s of 7-1 at paddy powers bookmakers.
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Boy George - raving about peace in Bosnia
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Pop star turned DJ `Boy George` has turned into the latest and unlikeliest secret weapon in a bid to stop the fighting in war-torn Republika Srpska reports Friday`s Irish Independent (25/05/01)
Boy George is the first international star to perform in Reoublika Srpska and his presence is intended as a symbol of the normalisation of Bosnia.
For more information visit
www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ti=41&ca=45&si=440375&issue_id=4542
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Irish Contestant comes out on Big Brother
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Brian - the 22 Y/O Irishman nicknamed `Bambie` has `come out` on his first
day in the big brother house. The new series of Channel 4`s successful
program airs on Sunday.
So far Brian, a flight attendent now living in Hartfordshire has only told the girls in the house and is fearful of the other boy`s reactions.
More information coming soon
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Graham Norton slates hometown
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Award winning comedian has slammed his home town of Bandon in West Cork stating the locals didnt give a damn about him when he lived there. In an article in The Irish News of the World dated May 20th Graham states "It`s weird when I go back to Bandon. You see all this dilemma going on in their heads. They are thinking, `He is Gay but he`s on the telly so that makes it OK`. The channel 4 presenter goes onto to reveal how he finds the hypocrisy irritating and feels that if he were a bank clerk in the same town he would be reviled.
Meanwhile The Irish Mirror dated May 19th 2001 published a story from an ex lover of Grahams which blames fame for wrecking their relationship.
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Labour Leader comments on the possibilites of a gay Taoiseach
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The leader of the Labour party `Ruairi Quinn TD` has issued a statement (dated may 15th 2001) on the understanding of diversity required in a changing society. The statement was prompted by recent events involving Cardinal Connell not acknowledging The Taoiseach`s partner.
Mr. Quinn believes that one day Ireland may have a gay or lesbian Taoiseach and in
future the nature of our society will become racially, culturally and religiously more diverse.
To read Mr. Quinn`s statement in full visit www.labour.ie/press/Detail.tmpl?SKU=20010515113942
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Today`s Irish Times dated 15th May 2001 reports that REM front man has come out and `revealed` that he has been in a relationship with a man for three years. His statement comes as the band promotes a new album, Reveal which was produced in Ireland. For more on this story visit www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2001/0514/breaking12.htm
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Nun defies church to win gay honour
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Today`s Irish Independent carried a story of a US nun who defied the catholic church to win gay honour
"A Nun who was ordered to end her 22-year ministry to homosexuals but defied the Vatican`s attempts to silence her, apologised on behalf of her church yesterday at a US symposium on gays and lesbians. "As a Roman Catholic sister, I want to ask pardon of the lesbian and gay community for my part in any oppression on the part of my church," said Sister Jeannine Gramick, who was receiving an award at the event.
For more on this story visit
www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ti=41&ca=27&si=429474&issue_id=4442
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Girl Guides Outrage at `Gay Lessons`
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The `Irish Sunday People` (April 29th 2001) features a report titled `Fury over gay advice for guides`, which tells how Girl Guide leaders have sparked outrage by planning to teach innocent youngsters about LESBIANISM. Family and youth concern directory `Robert Whelan has voiced his concern saying `It goes against all the high ideals the girl guides was originally set up to promote`.
Speciallist counsellors will be recruited when Guide workers are too embarrassed to talk about sexual issues. Denise King, Deputy Chief executive for the guides has said "Our aim is to be relevent to young women".
What do you think? Voice your opinion on the Gay-Ireland Mailing list visit http://gayireland.listbot.com
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