The All New Northern Ireland

[marksi]

Yesterday, in the wake of an attack on a gay man in North Belfast, Iris Robinson, MP/MLA for Strangford and wife of new Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson, appeared on The Stephen Nolan Show on BBC Radio Ulster. I should point out that she did indeed condemn the attack on the person concerned, but it was her comments that followed which have caused rather a lot of consternation.

You can listen to it all here. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/networks ... /nolan_fri

It has prompted a police investigation into whether her comments constitute a hate crime, namely those below:

Stephen Nolan: Do you think for example that homosexuality is disgusting?
Iris Robinson: Absolutely
Stephen Nolan: Do you think that homosexuality should be loathed?
Iris Robinson: Absolutely
Stephen Nolan: Do you think it is right for people to have a physical disgust towards homosexuality?
Iris Robinson: Absolutely
Stephen Nolan: Does it make you nauseous?
Iris Robinson: Yes
Stephen Nolan: Do you think that it is something that is shamefully wicked and vile?
Iris Robinson: Yes, of course it is, it’s an abomination.

She refuses to meet any representatives of the gay community. This was her suggestion instead:

"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."

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-7861.html

In any other part of the United Kingdom, or for that matter the Republic of Ireland, she would be forced to resign.

But, sadly, not here.

[TG]

What a lovely woman she doesn't sound.

I won't even ask where the gay haunts are when I nip over to see Gloria Estefan in September... :roll:

[Col]

What is it with the families of the First Minister and their views on Sodomites... sorry, gay people? It was bad enough with the nonsense Ian Jr came out with last year (at least he left his role in the OFMADM). Iris has done her husband more harm with her absurd comment than any Shinner ever would.

I'm more concerned about what's she done with her hair lately. No more hard-as-nail short crop, in with the flouncy diva style. You wouldn't get Arlene Foster or Ruth Patterson with hair like that, would you?

But typical Nolan for egging her on, always the shit-stirrer.

[Jamez]

It has prompted a police investigation into whether her comments constitute a hate crime, namely those below:

However offensive or vitriolic her comments were, she IS entitled to give her opinions. Remember that just a couple of decades ago, such thoughts were the opinion of the vast majority of people in the UK. I do not agree with her one bit, but I would defend her right to free speech without criminal retribution from the Thought Police and those who occupy the exceptionally transient high ground.

[marksi]

What a lovely woman she doesn't sound.

I won't even ask where the gay haunts are when I nip over to see Gloria Estefan in September... :roll:

I'll be very happy to show you!

[marksi]

I'm not a great fan of Stephen Nolans's style, however in this case I think he did a good job of giving her enough rope to hang herself.

It has prompted a police investigation into whether her comments constitute a hate crime, namely those below:

However offensive or vitriolic her comments were, she IS entitled to give her opinions. Remember that just a couple of decades ago, such thoughts were the opinion of the vast majority of people in the UK. I do not agree with her one bit, but I would defend her right to free speech without criminal retribution from the Thought Police and those who occupy the exceptionally transient high ground.

There's part of me that agrees with you.

However her views have to be put into the context of her position. She is an MP, an MLA and chairs the Health Committee in the Stormont Executive. She is married to the First Minister.

What would the reaction have been if Cherie Blair had made the same comments? And in her case, she was ONLY the wife of the Prime Minister - holding no official position of power.

How can anyone have confidence that decisions she makes, or plays a part in making, are not discriminatory and based on her "born-again Christian" beliefs? On the other hand, perhaps now it highlights the necessity to scrutinise everything the DUP does with these views in mind. She's by no means the only one in the party from a fundamentalist background owing to the fact that until last weekend the party was led by the UK's most prominent firebrand Presbyterian preacher.

I'd also point out (reminded by this morning's Andrew Marr show) that the DUP is the fourth largest party in the United Kingdom and can play a pivotal role in votes at Westminster, as it will do this week on the 42 day detention plans by the Government.

[marksi]

Just as an update, the Office of the First Minister has made no comment, and has therefore not distanced itself from Iris Robinson's comments, which she has this morning repeated.

[Gavin Scott]

It has prompted a police investigation into whether her comments constitute a hate crime, namely those below:

However offensive or vitriolic her comments were, she IS entitled to give her opinions. Remember that just a couple of decades ago, such thoughts were the opinion of the vast majority of people in the UK. I do not agree with her one bit, but I would defend her right to free speech without criminal retribution from the Thought Police and those who occupy the exceptionally transient high ground.

I don't beleive this view was "held by the vast majority", "a couple of decades ago". A couple of decades ago was 1988. Decriminalisation of homosexuality came 40 years ago, but was an anathema even before that.

By her own comments, if the act is "vile" and provokes "physical revulsion" then she is tacitly approving of those who choose to act on those feelings.

She's a disgrace. It would be nice to hear you condemn her view as forecfully as you would defend her right to say it; instead you suggest that the "thought police" are somehow the villians of the piece.

[Pete]

I hear some people hold views that employees of the post office are vile and provoke physical revulsion

[all new Phil]

I had a very interesting chat with my dad recently about stuff like this. He used to hold a pretty similar viewpoint, which was mainly born out of never having known anybody that was gay. It was only me coming out to him all those years ago that hit it home to him that, really, it's just not a big issue because I was still the same son he'd always known. He treats my boyfriend like he's another son of his, and he's really pleased that I'm happy.

I do wonder what this lady's viewpoint would be if she was in a similar situation and had a gay son. I think a lot of homophobia is from people who have never known anyone that is gay. I've spent several years living with very straight lads at uni - when they first found out that were a bit unsure how to react, but we all became really good mates and it just wasn't an issue.

[marksi]

I had a very interesting chat with my dad recently about stuff like this. He used to hold a pretty similar viewpoint, which was mainly born out of never having known anybody that was gay. It was only me coming out to him all those years ago that hit it home to him that, really, it's just not a big issue because I was still the same son he'd always known. He treats my boyfriend like he's another son of his, and he's really pleased that I'm happy.

I do wonder what this lady's viewpoint would be if she was in a similar situation and had a gay son. I think a lot of homophobia is from people who have never known anyone that is gay. I've spent several years living with very straight lads at uni - when they first found out that were a bit unsure how to react, but we all became really good mates and it just wasn't an issue.

But to her, and many others, the Bible says it's wrong. Or at least they think it does. They choose to ignore all the other rules in the same sections, like not eating pork, men cutting hair, stoning people to death, marrying those who rape and others. Not sure why or how they come up with the selection procedure for what rules are out dated and which ones are not.

The problem is evangelical/fundamental Christianity.

It is just as dangerous as the extreme elements of the Muslim faith, and indeed shares some of its values.

Edit, 1430
The First Minister (at FMQs) said he condemned any attack on minorities though he didn't say if this extended to verbal ones. He said he would uphold the legal obligations of the Executive with regard to equality.

He then appeared to describe homosexuality as a "way of life".