The Minister said: “Bullying is not, and never will be, acceptable in our schools, nor in our society as a whole. By law, all schools must have a discipline policy which includes anti-bullying measures. The culture of silence that often accompanies this issue is so oppressive and negative that our young people need to know they are not alone and that support is always available. We need them to know where, how and who they can get support from.

“I congratulate Shimna Integrated College for providing invaluable support to their pupils through the formation of the Gay/Straight Alliance. I also welcome the fact that organisations such as The Rainbow Project, Cara-Friend and GLYNI are working with schools to address homophobia.”

The Department of Education continues to work in close partnership with statutory and voluntary organisations to address bullying in all its forms. It is for this reason that it plays an active role in and funds the local Anti-Bullying Forum (NIABF) which has established a number of working groups, one of which specifically considered the issue of homophobic bullying. The working group produced a fact sheet for teachers which is available on the NIABF website.

The judge found it unconstitutionally discriminated against same-sex couples who sought to wed.

The state measure, known as Proposition 8, was passed by voters in 2008. It banned same-sex marriage, although the state offered same-sex civil unions.

Backers of the ban intend to appeal against the judge’s ruling. The case is likely to reach the US Supreme Court.

The measure was passed in a ballot referendum by a vote of 52% to 48%.

Currently, five states and Washington DC allow same-sex nuptials, though many states have enacted bans.

The ruling does not immediately allow California same-sex couples to marry, as US District Judge Vaughn Walker has delayed final entry of his judgement so he can hear arguments on whether to stay the ruling, pending appeal.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger quickly welcomed Wednesday’s judgement.

“For the hundreds of thousands of Californians in gay and lesbian households who are managing their day-to-day lives, this decision affirms the full legal protections and safeguards I believe everyone deserves,” he said in a statement.

“At the same time, it provides an opportunity for all to consider our history of leading the way to the future, and our growing reputation of treating all people and their relationships with equal respect and dignity.”

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who represents San Francisco, also hailed the ruling.

“Proposition 8 has taken away individual rights and freedoms, and is a stain upon the California Constitution,” she said in a statement.

Supporters of the gay marriage ban vowed to appeal against the ruling.

Randy Thomasson, of the socially conservative group SaveCalifornia.com, described it as a “terrible blow” to voter rights.

“Judge Walker has ignored the written words of the constitution, which he swore to support and defend and be impartially faithful to, and has instead imposed his own homosexual agenda upon the voters, the parents and the children of California,” he told the AFP news agency.

‘Right to choose’

The 2008 ballot measure, known as Proposition 8, amended the California constitution to state that “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognised in California”.

Two same-sex couples challenged the measure, saying it violated their right to equal protection under the US constitution.

They said the measure violated gays’ and lesbians’ right to choose whom to marry while allowing it to heterosexuals.

Supporters of the ban said it affirmed the will of California voters to exclude same-sex couples from marriage and argued the state had an interest in promoting procreation within marriage.

In his ruling, Judge Walker permanently forbade enforcement of the same-sex marriage ban.

“Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage licence,” he wrote.

“Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California constitution the notion that opposite sex couples are superior to same-sex couples.

“Because California has no interest in discriminating against gay men and lesbians, and because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis, the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.”

Taken from the BBC article of the same name.

They’ve faced down humans time and time again, but Fred Phelps and his minions from the Westboro Baptist Church were not ready for the cosplay action that awaited them today at Comic-Con. After all, who can win against a counter protest that includes robots, magical anime girls, Trekkies, Jedi and…kittens?

Unbeknownst to the dastardly fanatics of the Westboro Baptist Church, the good folks of San Diego’s Comic-Con were prepared for their arrival with their own special brand of superhuman counter protesting chanting “WHAT DO WE WANT” “GAY SEX” “WHEN DO WE WANT IT” “NOW!” while brandishing ironic (and some sincere) signs. Simply stated: The eclectic assembly of nerdom’s finest stood and delivered.

Love it – Peace, out!

Some 8,000 people were killed at Srebrenica in 1995

(From BBC News)

Dutch officials have rejected a retired US general’s claim that its forces failed at Srebrenica because of poor morale over openly gay soldiers.

A defence ministry spokesman dismissed as “complete nonsense” the remarks by John Sheehan, a former Nato commander.

Gen Sheehan had been speaking at a US Senate hearing on allowing gay people to serve openly in the US military.

He said Dutch leaders had told him that the presence of gay soldiers had contributed to the Bosnian massacre.

Srebrenica was a UN safe haven under the protection of Dutch peacekeepers when, in 1995, Bosnian Serb forces overran the town, killing some 8,000 Muslim men and boys.

Gen Sheehan said the former chief of staff of the Dutch army had told him that the presence of openly gay soldiers in the Dutch peacekeeping force were seen as “part of the problem” which contributed to the fall of Srebrenica.

He argued that since the end of the Cold War, European militaries had changed and he concluded “there was no longer a need for an active combat capability”.

‘Totally off-target’

This “socialisation” process, Gen Sheehan said, “included open homosexuality” and led to “a focus on peacekeeping operations because they did not believe the Germans were going to attack again or the Soviets were coming back”.

Gen Sheehan is a former Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic

“It is astonishing that a man of his stature can utter such complete nonsense,” Dutch defence ministry spokesman Roger van de Wetering said in response.

“The Srebrenica massacre and the involvement of UN soldiers was extensively investigated by the Netherlands, international organisations and the United Nations.

“Never was there in any way concluded that the sexual orientation of soldiers played a role.”

The Dutch ambassador to the US, Renee Jones-Bos, added in a statement on the embassy’s website that she “couldn’t disagree more” with the claims by the former general, who retired from the military in 1997.

In the US Senate itself, Senator Carl Levin, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, told Gen Sheehan he was “totally off-target”.

Several countries – including Britain, Canada, Australia and Israel – allow openly gay people to serve in the armed services.

A conservative US state senator who has voted against gay rights consistently during his 14 years in government has came ‘out of the closet’ – he is gay!

Republican Roy Ashburn came out during a radio interview in California, for KERN radio, where he said, “I am gay… those are the words that have been so difficult for me for so long.”

The 55-year-old divorced father-of-four has been on leave since an arrest last week on suspicion of driving under the influence. He said that his coming out was prompted by rumours that he had visited a gay nightclub before the arrest, which took place in Sacramento on 3 March, and felt he needed to address these rumours. So, I guess that means that the rumours were true :P

He insists that his voting on the gay rights bills reflected the way his constituents wanted him to vote, i.e. on their behalf, rather than him voting on his own “internal conflict”. (Pity he couldn’t make a stand, maybe stick to his own convictions, though I guess we sometimes punish politicians for doing just that as well. Hmm.)

Roy has a record for voting against gay rights measures. Last year, Mr Ashburn opposed a bill to establish a day of recognition to honour murdered gay rights activist Harvey Milk. He has also voted in the statehouse against efforts to expand anti-discrimination laws and recognise out-of-state gay marriages.

Peace, out! – Matt

The BNP nationally nicknamed Nazi’s or Fascists now have access to money of up to £500,000 in wages and a further £1 million if they are able to make a “group” coalition with 26 other candidates of far right agendas in Europe.

It seems that recently, the liberal democracy the UK prides itself on has continually been subverted by extremist fringes and attacked, a problem of liberalism. As a homophobic party who recently published a list called “Rapists, Buggers and thieves” (ironically adapted from Cher – a gay icon’s – “gypsies, tramps and thieves”) listing MPs who were convicted of paedophilia / rape, other crimes and the crime of being “gay”, the BNP are now at the forefront of politics.

This blog post is just a reminder for anyone who reads it. If you are dissatisfied with labour, conservatives or lib dems, vote for a positive party e.g. the greens or independent candidates, do not vote for the BNP! If you know anyone who would vote, EDUCATE, EDUCATE, EDUCATE in the words of Tony Blair!!

Two American fundamentalist Christians have been excluded from entering the UK after they threatened to protest in Basingstoke.

Rev Fred Phelps and Shirley Phelps-Roper are leading members of the Westboro Baptist Church, a small Kansas-based sect.

The group claimed on their website GodHatesFags.com that they would be protesting at a performance of a gay-themed play in Basingstoke tomorrow.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has reportedly excluded them from the country, despite the widespread belief that they had no intention of coming to the UK.

While WBC have conducted hundreds of pickets in the US, they have failed to appear at promised protests in other countries.

“Both these individuals have engaged in unacceptable behaviour by inciting hatred against a number of communities,” a UK Border Agency spokesman told The Sun.

“The government has made it clear it opposes extremism in all its forms.

“The exclusions policy is targeted at all those who seek to stir up tension and provoke others to violence regardless of their origins and beliefs.”

Other members of WBC will also be excluded.

Earlier this month the Home Office banned a Dutch MP who is critical of Islam from entering the UK because it was judged he would harm community relations.

WBC responded on their website:

“You British Bastards will not have Jesus Christ to rule over you, and think you can issue bans and pass laws to remove God’s word from the landscape.

“You do greatly err, not knowing the power of God; and, you do that against your own interests. It is a great kindness to have God’s prophets in your land.

“But, you ungrateful brutes despise knowledge. It is too late for the UK. God Hates You! God’s wrath and destruction is all that’s left for you, thanks to Secretary Smith.”

The church members, who are mostly relations of Mr Phelps, regularly picket funerals claiming the deaths are God’s punishment for the country’s support of homosexuals.

They have caused so much distress picketing at funerals of soldiers killed in action that they have been restricted from doing so in 22 American states.

The group first came to prominence more than a decade ago when they protested a the funeral of murdered gay man Matthew Shepard.

In October 1998 Matthew was kidnapped, severely beaten and left to die, tied to a fence on the outskirts of Laramie, Wyoming.

Five weeks later members of the Tectonic Theatre Project went to Laramie, and over the course of the next year, conducted more than 200 interviews with people of the town.

From these interviews they wrote the play The Laramie Project, a chronicle of the life of the town in the year after the murder. WBC claimed that a student production tomorrow night in Basingstoke was to be the target of WBC’s first UK protest.

We will finally see an end to the Bush Republican Administration characterised by Neo-liberal and Neo-Conservative values, whoray! This massive landslide victory for the Democratic candidate has come with a sense of hope among the American people, but although Obama seems to bring inspiration, many Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered people still fear for their civil partnerships. Proposition 8 in California will see the banning of civil partnerships in the state if it is passed. Numerous other bills of the same standard are still sweeping across America. The bill proposes to change the federal constitution to state that marriage is a ceremony between a man and woman rather than between two people.

Yes, Obama has given hope, but we hope, that he gives more than just inspiration, but that he intervenes on the behalf of all L, G, B and T’s across America!

“We all agree that few issues arouse as much interest or concern in the community as that of sex offenders. The sentences served and their subsequent placement back in the community cause considerable disquiet among the public. There can be no viler act, apart from homosexuality and sodomy, than sexually abusing innocent children. There must be sufficient confidence that the community has the best possible protection against such perverts and it is important that there be a mature public debate on the issues, but the security of our citizens must be our overriding priority.”

This has not been removed from the official transcript, and is viewable on the website of the Houses of Parliament. Since then, she has been interviewed on the issue by the Belfast Telegraph:

“Can you think of anything more vile than man and man or woman and woman and sexually abusing children? What I say I base on biblical pronouncements, based on God’s word. I am amazed that people are surprised when I quote from scriptures … I cannot think of anything more sickening than a child being abused. It is comparable to the act of homosexuality. I think they are all comparable. I feel totally repulsed by both. … I am trying to reach out to people. That is what Christ teaches us … Anything I say is out of love. I am not hate-mongering. I cannot leave my Christian values hanging at the door when I go into politics. I am speaking out more now because we are getting it more and more rammed down our throats that the minority views are more important than the majority views. I am not trying to alienate anyone … I do not turn anyone away. I would never water down anything with the scriptures and I don’t think I should. I find it amazing, if not unexpected, as these days Christians are persecuted for their views but that will not stop me. There will be a judgement day and when I am judged I want to know that I did all I could to spread the word of God.”

It is heartening that all the reports and articles on the website of the Belfast Telegraph condemn her words, with their ‘viewpoint’ article discussing some of the issues regarding free speech.

One could question her motives in saying what she did. If you read what she said, her viewpoint would not have been weakened if she had simply omitted the words ‘apart from homosexuality and sodomy’. It could be considered that this was deliberate? We all know that this is the run-up to Belfast Pride. Perhaps this is just the latest in a chain of intentional outbursts, designed to inflame a situation which is already sensitive.
Perhaps not. Perhaps, like she says, she simply wants to spread the word of God. Perhaps then she is advocating a country in which politics and laws are dominated by the teachings of Leviticus? Truth is, this is from where she seems to extract her views. I doubt, if this was the case, she would be allowed to be a politican! The out-of-touch Book of Leviticus asserts many things, few of which we still adhere to today.
And let’s not forget. No matter how much Iris asserts that it is the case, it is NOT the job of Government to uphold the Laws of God. It is the duty of Government to uphold the laws of the PEOPLE. And the laws of the people indicate that people should not be attacked, persecuted, insulted, etc etc. Whilst she compares our acts to those of sex offenders, she forgets that sex offenders are criminals, we are not. She should stop treating us as such, stop trying to ‘rehabilitate’ us.

Maybe Iris should think of the old phrase ‘What would Jesus do?’. Does she think that Jesus, who stated that the Old Testament was just that, the OLD Testament, would say the things she is saying? Hurting the people she is hurting? Maybe she does, she is entitled to believe that he would. If this is the case, then there is no hope for her. If she believes that God wants her to do these things, then only God will convince her otherwise.
If I were a smaller person, I would say I would like to be watching when she is to be ‘judged’ by God. I think she would be devastated by the verdict.

Read the Belfast Telegraph article here!

MLA calls for gay ‘counselling’

The DUP MLA and MP Iris Robinson has called on homosexuals to seek counselling to help them overcome their sexuality. She was speaking on BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan programme following an attack on a gay man in Newtownabbey. Hear her words here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7439950.stm

‘Gay counselling’ call rejected

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7439661.stm
A gay rights campaigner has rejected a Northern Ireland assembly member’s call for homosexuals to seek psychiatric counselling. David McCartney from the Rainbow Project was responding to comments from Iris Robinson, who is the chair of the Stormont health committee. Mrs Robinson said with help, gay people could be “turned around”. Mr McCartney said there was “no body of evidence” to support this and asked to meet the MP.

Mrs Robinson made her comments on BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show on Friday. She said she would defend her right to express religious beliefs, while also condemning violence against the gay community.

“I have a very lovely psychiatrist who works with me in my offices and his Christian background is that he tries to help homosexuals – trying to turn away from what they are engaged in,” she said.
“I’m happy to put any homosexual in touch with this gentleman and I have met people who have turned around and become heterosexuals.”

Sinn Féin’s Education Minister Catríona Ruane said politicians should be guided by equality legislation.

“There are equality laws in the north of Ireland,” she said. “I think it is really important that politicians play a leadership role and that leadership role should be not to say anything that could possibly inflame the situation or cause further distress.”

In a statement the Royal College of Psychiatrists said that homosexuality was not a psychiatric disorder.

Cara-Friend response to Nolan Show 6th June 2008
Sticks and Stones may break my bones ….and words can too!

Cara-Friend, an organisation representing the interests of Lesbian Gay Bisexual community in Northern Ireland condemns Iris Robinson’s recent comments and calls for an end to dangerous homophobic statements from public representatives in NI.
Theresa Cullen, representative of Cara-Friend said:

‘Rights for the LGB community seem to be available for brokerage and dispute in Northern Ireland. This is unacceptable. This has to stop. The rights of LGB people are not and should not be, negotiable or traded off. The shameful behaviour of Ms Robinson needs to be named and challenged at all levels in our society. We need to stand up and be counted. We need to unequivocally outlaw homophobia as the ‘mental illness’ it is and condemn homophobic actions and words as acts of violence and hatred against a minority identity. It is time this unacceptable behaviour was stopped in our society.’
She went on to say ‘The Cara-Friend Organisation (Lesbian Line; Gay Helpline and GLYNI) has been supporting LGB people for the last 34 years saving many lives. We live the reality. Homophobia damages LGB people’s quality of life and at worst can kill. It also diminishes society as a whole. That’s why words are important. And words from a public servant can be very convincing. They are said from a public platform, therefore if the message can be construed as one of hatred, it can be a matter of life and death. As we are all too aware – words can and frequently do, hurt us’’

In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association voted to DELETE ‘homosexuality’ as a mental disorder from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-II). The DSM is the undisputed international standard of mental health classification. This was a vital change in understanding by the medical profession and it acknowledged the shift of minority sexual orientation from being pathological to homophobia being pathologised. The etiology has shifted and the origin of mental distress is rightly located in the effects of discrimination.
So where does that leave the recent comments of Iris Robinson MLA/MP on the Steven Nolan show? I quote:

‘I have a lovely psychiatrist who works with me in my offices …. I have met people who have ‘turned around’ and become heterosexual…so it does work…this is a long process…the gentleman who is a psychiatrist but more importantly is a born again Christian…has links right across the world…I’m happy to pass on any names to him!’

Theresa adds:

‘This practice, in view of the medical standards relating to mental illness, is an ‘abomination’. Ms Robinson says he does this ‘as an aside’. I hope this psychiatrist is not being paid by the NHS or Northern Ireland government as it would be against the standards of the medical profession to practice such methodology. Homophobia is often described as the ‘last acceptable prejudice’ because it is! It is so often ‘acceptable’ because minority sexual orientation is confused with and erroneously mixed up with, and reduced to, issues of sexual practice and questions of morality. This reductionism is a justification for some to be homophobic. But let me make it very clear, homophobia is plain unequivocal prejudice and discrimination against a minority – whatever way it is dressed up and whatever the so called ‘justification’.’

Theresa Cullen is a representative of Cara-Friend is available for comment and interview.
Mob no: 0777 922 6085
Email: helpline@lesbianlinebelfast.org.uk

Cara-Friend have asked the Royal College of Psychiatrists for a response to Iris Robinson’s comments on the Nolan Show.

The Royal College have issued the following press release, June 6, 2008
Royal College of Psychiatrists response to comments on Nolan Show regarding homosexuality as a mental disorder:

In light of comments made on The Nolan Show today, the Royal College of Psychiatrists wishes to clarify that homosexuality is not regarded as a psychiatric disorder.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists holds the view that lesbian, gay and bisexual people should be regarded as valued members of society who have exactly similar rights and responsibilities as all other citizens. This includes equal access to health care, the rights and responsibilities involved in a civil partnership, the rights and responsibilities involved in procreating and bringing up children, freedom to practice a religion as a lay person or religious leader, freedom from harassment or discrimination in any sphere and a right to protection from therapies that are potentially damaging, particularly those that purport to change sexual orientation.
In 1973 the American Psychiatric Association concluded there was no scientific evidence that homosexuality was a disorder and removed it from its diagnostic glossary of mental disorders. The International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organisation followed suit in 1992.
There is now a large body of research evidence that indicates that being gay, lesbian or bisexual is compatible with normal mental health and social adjustment. However, the experiences of discrimination in society and possible rejection by friends, families and others, such as employers, means that some lesbian, gay and bisexual people experience a greater than expected prevalence of mental health and substance misuse problems.
Although there have been claims by conservative political groups in the USA that this higher prevalence of mental health difficulties is confirmation that homosexuality is itself a mental disorder, there is no evidence whatever to substantiate such a claim.

For further information contact Liz Main – lmain@nirelanddiv.rcpsych.ac.uk

gyaku_zuki’s word:

This kind of homophobia continues to plague the secularised Northern Ireland society. I find it appalling that Iris’ response to a homophobic attack was to, in my own interpretation, blame the homosexual for not receiving treatment. Backwards-minded people like her should not be in positions of power. Every decent-minded person should be calling now for her resignation (not to mention her husband for his comments a while back). What kind of ‘equality minister’ do we have?
I urge all decent people to follow suit with Sinn Fein and Alliance, and condemn these outrageous and inflammatory claims.
-Matt