Stop homophobia: bullying of gays condemned
PRESIDENT MARY McAleese has called for an end to the bullying of gay people in Ireland.
The President, addressing a gay youth forum in Galway yesterday, urged her audience to challenge people who make homophobic remarks.
She said that the suffering of gay people who had been bullied was one of Ireland’s untold stories.
“Homophobic bullying continues to be a serious issue and a trend that we have to stop,” she said, adding that she was concerned about the issue and its link to suicidal behaviour.
She urged those present to “refuse to go along with the loud voices of prejudice”. The forum was organised by Belong To, an organisation which supports lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) young people between the ages of 14 and 23.
President McAleese said that being gay was not a choice, but more akin to a life discovery.
She said that realising you were gay and feeling like there was something wrong with you could be “a diabolically lonely experience”.
“We know people who are gay who have paid the price dearly in terms of mental ill health for living as a heterosexual,” she said.
The President also made the link between her own experience growing up with sectarianism in Belfast and homophobia, saying that the two were first cousins. “Nobody should have to suffer because of their sexual orientation in this country,” she added.
Michael Barron, national development co-ordinator of Belong To, said that it was useful to link homophobia with sectarianism and racism.
“Sometimes homophobia is seen as less important than racism,” he said. “It needs to be taken more seriously.”
Mr Barron also cited research which states that there is a link between homophobic bullying and suicidal behaviour.
Through his work he said he came across some gay teenagers who suffered from guilt, shame and embarrassment. “They can sometimes feel there is something wrong with them,” he added.
Many LGBT groups from around the country travelled to the Galway forum to meet the President.
Among them were the Rural East Clare group, Dundalk Outcomers, the LGBT community of Waterford and the southeast and other representatives from Tipperary and Limerick.
Maria Jose Torres, project co- ordinator with shOUT, Galway’s LGBT group, said: “Some of our young people were touched by what the President had to say. It is major to have someone like the President support our work. It gives it the relevance it deserves.”