Northern Ireland's Education Minister CaitrÃona Ruane may be our new favorite person. As her peer MP Iris Robinson pushes anti-gay reparative therapy, Ruane took a stand for supporting gay counseling – in schools! Rather than yakking about social or religious beliefs, as Robinson has, Ruane went straight for the civic jugular:
Government has a responsibility to ensure policy development considers the needs of all in our community, including policies for education.As Education Minister I take my duty to respect and treat all sections of the community equally very seriously.
It is interesting to note that research shows 86% of young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are aware of their sexuality at school. We must offer these young people support and understanding not ignorance and intolerance.
Minister Ruane cited gay group Cara-Friend as having an impact on her platform, but we think her haircut deserves at least a bit of credit. Oh, did we mention she's a former tennis player? Too bad she's straight, huh?
But, seriously, the difference between Robinson and Ruane couldn't be more acute. The former called gay people "sinners," while the other actually – gasp! – considers the same-sex lovers equal. Forget the gay guinea "gerbils" pigs, this could be children's book. Let's call it something simple, like Good v. Evil.
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"But, seriously, the difference between Robinson and Ruane couldn’t be more acute. "
Truly. Ruane's hair is way cute!
Lol good vs. evil, very well put!
If only the “baby dinosaur†junior minister for equality (yes, you read right “equalityâ€) shared her views! He said… “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.â€
Most schools in NI do NOT mention homosexuality (a problem in most places I'm sure) I attended possibly NI's best grammar school, and it was excellent, but they really let me down on this one! A female classmate did bring it up during a class, but only to say how disgusted she was! Which was laughed away.
The whole debate has turned political, with opposition to the DUP (of which both Robinson, and the junior minster for equality, Ian Paisley Junior, are both members) desperately trying to appear pro-LGBT, when really they are likely just as homophobic. *Sigh*
The minister for equality got away with it, will Iris to?? After all members of both leading parties have gotten away with worse. This is a “modern†county, “there are no gays in Iran,†and If Iris had her way all NI's would be “cured†by her dear friend the psychologist, so really is she saying there are no gays in NI… Or the world? Yesterday's Belfast Pride event suggests otherwise! I can just picture her picketing it!
I personally am gonna take this with more than a pinch of salt, put simply, I will believe it when I see it! I hope its not just an attempt to gain support, because schools need to change.