It is the ultimate struggle for many people. The decision they thought they would never have to make. The decision that divides many to the very core. Usually many people would be happy seeing people throw stuff at McDowell thinking the “Herr McDowell authoritarian Minister for injustice” deserves everything he gets. But who do they support when it is Anti-Gay Catholic extremists. Oh the moral conundrum.
From Breaking News.ie
Anti-gay hecklers have interrupted a speech by Minister for Justice Michael McDowell on civil partnerships for same sex couples.
The minister was making the speech at a conference in Dublin this morning when a jug of water, a number of cups and copies of the constitution were thrown at him by six men in the audience.
The men accused Mr McDowell of seeking to pervert Irish children before they were eventually escorted from the building.
They are believed to be members of the Catholic organisation the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
The Ancient Order believe that moves to provide same sex partnerships with a legal status (allowing for certain legal rights such as inheritance, rights to property, sharing of their tax credits) would pervert the poor morally malleable children of Ireland before they’d be able to form a [catholic] moral constitution capable of repelling the insidious temptation of homosexuality.
The present government is bringing in legislation to allow for same-sex civil partnerships. However it has stopped short of giving full marriage rights. This according to Michael McDowell. Because gay people don’t want marriage. I guess this is utter baloney. I suspect the real reason is that. The government know that this could be a divisive issue. That if brought in while probably accepted by the majority it quiet possibly could result in the government losing just enough votes to lose the election. Hence they are probably going to try to get in as much as they can. Without saying the reason why they are holding back on full rights. Whether or not some kind of anti-gay marriage party runs in the election remains to be seen.
It is time for people in this country who are of a liberal persuasion to put their prejudices aside and be more vocal in support for Michael McDowell. Show the government that if they bring in full marriage rights they will not lose out. While it might be hard for some to do this but if you simply ignore this and say to yourself they are throwing stuff at him due to the War in Iraq. Then it is the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the other people who wish to deny equal rights to people will dominate the dialogue.
Something tells me I will not see Indymedia anytime soon publish anything with the headline “Time to Support McDowell”.
Update: Suzy was there.She is live blogging the event.
2 comments:
But who do they support when it is Anti-Gay Catholic extremists. Oh the moral conundrum.
I don't know about you, but I'm on tenderhooks waiting to see which way Richard Waghorne jumps. The Catholic Church protesting against gays or Law'n'Order? Such a dilemma!
Furthermore, when one has the state behind one, including an garda, one doesn't really need popular mobilisations.
Of course one does.
What ever happened to standing up for what is right. And supporting people who stand up for what is right.
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