Homophobic bullying is unfortunately still a regrettable feature of school life in Ireland, just as it is right across Irish society.
Throughout my childhood it was very common and easy for someone to be taunted in this manner in the playground, which would inevitably lead to a hardening of attitudes on all sides in relation to gay matters. Childhood is a difficult place for those who are in any way different – be they tall, rotund or from an ethnic minority. But being gay is something that no teenager would ever admit to in the atmosphere of your average Irish secondary school, as it can be a rather unforgiving place.
Once, as an aspiring young journalist with an Irish language community radio station, I decided with my co-presenter to do a programme entirely on the gay issue. We embarked on a little research and ventured into the night air towards that famous gay pub The George, and got chatting to a few of the customers. I have to admit that I was extremely nervous on entering the pub, afraid of the unknown I could only imagine. Of course I had no gay friends at that time; I had just navigated three whole years at UCD and never managed to make any gay acquaintances.
So that evening in The George was an eye-opener, but a little like a carnival ride in Funderland, once you come out the other side you really do wonder what all the fuss is about.
When homosexuality was decriminalised in the 1990s it was a major mindset shift for Irish society, and the current debate around civil partnership and indeed the legislative moves toward that end are worthwhile. Government sometimes has to lead on certain issues for society to follow. The oft-aired views of Northern politicians in this regard were once part of the mainstream 10 or 15 years ago. It’s encouraging to listen to the outrage at Iris Robinson’s homophobic outbursts, but what is upsetting is that her voter base will probably loudly applaud her statements, which won’t affect her standing in public life one bit. Hopefully Northern Irish politics is finally coming to the stage where politicians are judged not on how high they can fly their flag, but on their attitude to important social and civil issues.
If this is the level of antagonism that Iris Robinson shows towards the gay community, then unionist gays should surely turn against the DUP and support a party that reflects their aspirations and will defend them.
Robinson’s remarks should not be dismissed as the outdated ramblings of an extremist public representative; rather, they are unwarranted comments that give justification to those who frequently abuse, attack and injure gay men and women.
Just like her former leader marched plenty of militant loyalists up the garden path with his anti-Catholic rhetoric, Iris Robinson is now involved in the same nauseating game. She should be ashamed of herself, and if her political party had any moral courage, they would demand an apology or even her resignation.
But this is true to form for the DUP, sadly. In May 2005, Paul Berry, a rising star in the party, was accused of having met a male masseur in a Belfast hotel. Berry claimed that he was seeking treatment for a sports injury, and said he was considering legal action against the Sunday World for publishing the story.
He was not elected in the 2005 general election and was the only DUP candidate to experience a fall in their share of the vote in favour of the Ulster Unionist Party. Weeks later, the DUP suspended Berry from the party and commenced disciplinary proceedings.
Berry launched a legal challenge but in February 2006 dropped these proceedings and resigned. Bizarrely enough, in their 2005 Westminster election manifesto document on tackling racism, the party stated: ‘Politicians can also play a role in helping to shape attitudes in society.’ How true that is.
