The launch of the Lisburn LGBT group took place last night in the Cherry Room in Lisburn City Council. Considering the previous unnecessary controversy around the use of council property for civil partnerships, last nights meeting represented a massive step for the advancement of equal rights and treatment for the gay community.
The DUP and Alliance failed to attend, as did the single TUV representative.
When something such as this event happens, there is no doubt that it represents a major victory for the LGBT community, and every other marganilised group, who in the past has been excluded or faced discrimination. There is no doubt that the legislation that made an event like this possible, has proven to work. And credit must be given to those who fought for and obtained these legislative protections, not least the SDLP.
So when you hear the DUP or others attacking the integrity of such legislation, when you hear them say that the institutions such as the Equality or Human Rights Commissions are worthless, or when you hear some say that a Bill of Rights for NI is pointless, recognise that it is just these things that enable it possible for an event like last nights to happen.
An event that shouldn’t have needed to rely on legislation but unfortunately had to, as some people aren’t willing to recognise that members of the gay community are also our doctors and teachers, our bin men and street cleaners, they are our colleagues and friends, our family and community. They are human beings entitled to human rights – bar none.
Credit must be given to the Lisburn LGBT group and it’s members for organising the event, there was no doubting the feeling in the room last night, history was being made. March On.
Whereas this is good news of would be nice too see a less cliched way of reporting it. The “victory” terminology, too often used by politicians, just propagates an ‘us and them’ scenario. It would be nicer to see words such as progress, or fairness being used to describe the change in policy. Sexuality is such a ’small thing’ it shouldn’t even be a consideration in life yet it has been used to oppress and discriminate against people. The best way forward is not to give the homophobes a “fight” by claiming victories but by diminishing their argument by showing how trivial it is. Maybe that would be an innovative way forward for a new politician. A case where we really do need less gloss and more matt.
I agree with the sentiment of what you say and I fully accept your point. Sexuality is only one aspect of what makes up a person and it certainly should not define them, people are complex beings and that’s what makes us interesting.
I don’t agree however that it is a trivial matter. Particularly when a local authority attempts to ban same sex civil partnerships on their premises or the wife of the first minister makes comments such as the ones made.
The time for equality being a non-issue, and not just on grounds of sexual orientation but others too, unfortunately has not arrived yet, but it will.
A good comparison to make is the systematic discrimination, mainly aimed at Catholics, of the old Unionist Stormont regime. Discrimination such as that is unheard of now and it trivial to suggest so. But it was a massive battle to achieve that, with street demonstrations and marches by the civil rights movement, and they celebrated their victories – and rightly so.
I think, particularly in Lisburn, the right has been earned to celebrate such an achievement and positive progress. We have reached the point whereby there is no looking back.
As I said in the blog piece, members of the gay community are our teachers and doctors, nurses and bin men, sisters and brothers, mothers and fathers – what I mean is that their sexuality is one small part of who they are, and no one should be defined by their sexuality, or any other single part of who they are.
thanks for reading.
The argument of homophobes is trivial, the consequences are not. That’s why I say that by exposing the triviality of their argument and actions is the best way to diminish their poisonous effect.