Ireland Surely Knows Better

I love this little Irish province known as Ulster, such a beautiful  green land of rolling hills and dales. However, its history has been one of turmoil, violence and war, Protestants against Catholics with the fear and hatred always just an inch away. Ulster was partitioned by the British Government in 1921 at the time when the rest of Ireland received a degree of independence as the Irish Free State. They later became the Irish Republic cutting all ties with Britain. Since that time Protestants have ruled Northern Ireland holding power over the people by the fear Catholics would attempt to take over. The major party is the Unionist Party, they assure protestants have the good jobs, the better houses and stay economically healthy. Throughout the early 20th century they held onto power by gerrymandering the voting districts. Today they call themselves the DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) and are still made up from ardent protestants.  I could write pages of history and of the wrongs done to the Irish peoples but that is not what my blog is about today. Today I feel a dreadful pain in my heart for my place of birth. I have always referred to myself as Irish, never British or Northern Irish always just Irish and I’m very proud of that fact. I never imagined Ulster could be compared with Russia or other nations that blatantly discriminate against others because of their sexual orientation. Just as a semblance of peace between Catholic and Protestant seems possible I never imagined we could find another section of our society to hate. The people of Ulster are truly good people they will certainly send this latest DUP proposal to the rubbish dump where it belongs. I can’t believe we still have people in the government harbouring such terrible fears and hatred of others who are different.

Lawmakers in Northern Ireland want to make it legal to refuse service for lesbian, gay, and bi people.   Imagine being refused housing because of who you are. Or told you’re too gay to stay in a hotel. Or turned away from a restaurant on a date. That’s what Northern Ireland would look like if the powerful Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) were to get their way. They want to add an anti-gay clause to equality laws that would allow businesses to refuse service to lesbian, gay, and bi people. The DUP has asked for feedback on their anti-gay amendment by February 27. A huge global outcry will show that refusing service to gay people isn’t OK. Not in Northern Ireland, not anywhere.