I used to think that it was easier for girls to come out of the closet than for guys, after all two girls holding hands down a street seems to be common place whether they are gay or not. Men holding hands certainly wouldn’t go unnoticed as easy! (more…)

“I’m feeling depressed and like hurting myself” seven of the hardest words I’ve ever had to say to anyone. As the life and soul of most parties and the one person my friends would call on if they needed to talk I found myself getting in to a situation where I needed to talk to someone and couldn’t. (more…)

When Newry’s first citizen the last Mayor, John Feehan generously invited the Newry Rainbow Community to a Council Reception a few weeks ago it really made an important point!

I remember several years ago attending a reception by Belfast City Council at the City Hall for members of the Belfast Pride Committee and thinking at the time how much a relatively simple gesture can mean to an entire community. Like Belfast then, our Mayor’s welcome now was so much more than just a cuppa and a chat. (more…)

Here in Newry we don’t live in a bubble, events that happen around the world quite rightly attract our attention and if there are wrongs committed anywhere we quite naturally can condemn them in words and/or deeds.

Being part of one couple that availed of the relatively new Civil Partnership legislation for Lesbian and Gay Couples in Newry I feel that it is absolutely outrageous that in Malawi, a country just 5000 Miles away, two men have been sentenced to 14 Years Hard Labour for the “Crime” of loving each other! (more…)

Surely one of the most difficult careers to be Lesbian or Gay in must be the Teaching Profession! I recently came across a poll on the internet “What do you think about gay school teachers” One of the replies stated “As long as they don’t teach my child that being gay is ok I have no problem” An interesting thought indeed and lets hope that their child isn’t gay!
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Communication is changing for everyone and who knows where the Facebook revolution will end. Generally everyone still enjoys meeting up with friends for a night out but even on these occasions Facebook via Mobile has led to a situation where people seem to be never fully “there” anymore, always floating in and out of conversations with absent friends that seem to be much more interesting than present ones! (more…)

I found a Mobile Phone at Passion Disco at the weekend. Turns out the owner was from a wee village called Emmerdale and as I watch UTV I knew exactly where it was and returned it!

Good job he wasn’t from Ros NaRún as I’m not sure what part of Galway that’s in! I have to say that he’s actually not bad looking, a bit young and he’s got a bit of an attitude but I’m hopeful for our future together but then again in Soapland things really don’t stay happy ever after for long. (more…)

Sadly even good old Saint Patrick’s Day can prove divisive when it comes to the inclusion of the LGBT community, no more so than in the USA. The New York Parade organised by the Ancient Order of Hibernians has consistently banned gay groups from taking part in the parade, which often makes me wonder how local AOH groups would view our inclusion in parades here. In New York another Parade now takes place each year called “St Pats For All” which celebrates the diversity of the Irish and Irish American communities and instead of being divisive seeks to “Cherish all the children of the nation equally” (more…)

Sadly Homophobic bullying is still a major issue for young lesbian and gay school children. The Northern Ireland Anti Bullying Forum produces a fact sheet for teachers to use and points out that bullying can include being teased or having derogatory terms used to describe you, sexual harassment, inappropriate gestures/ language e.g. “backs against the wall” or being groped “You know you like it” It can also involve threats to “out” you to your family which can lead to major fear and stress for the young person. (more…)

So the advert goes but in the real world you see there IS an “excuse”

You see I would really like to continue to donate my blood for the benefit of others but guess what – I’m not allowed! Why? – Because I’m gay, or specifically because “men who have EVER had sex with men” are excluded from giving blood.

I feel that I am qualified to comment on this as in the past I have seen the benefits from both sides. In the seventies I was a regular blood donor and appreciated the fact that I was doing something useful with my life. Move on a couple of years and I had complications with a duodenal ulcer and required several pints of blood, which if I hadn’t got, things would have become very serious indeed.

I can see where the NI Blood Transfusion Service are coming from by enforcing a blanket ban but that doesn’t necessarily make it fair. For example a man that is in a monogamous relationship with his long term male partner and who has taken a test for HIV/ Hepatitis proving that he doesn’t have the Viruses is excluded completely from giving blood while a thirty something man out “playing the field” every weekend of his life with many female partners isn’t. Another Scenario would be a man who had a relationship with another man a few years ago, made the effort to get tested which proved everything was ok and who has been celibate since – Again, excluded from giving for life!

Surely being excluded forever if you ever were involved in a male gay relationship while being the most straightforward for the Blood Service is also the most flawed and unfair and a better system is needed.

To end I would say, even though I have major reservations about the blanket ban policy, if you are member of the non gay community please donate your blood. It does you no harm and quite a few others a lot of good. If you haven’t thought about it, think about it now and spend an hour of your life making a major difference – Newry Town Hall, 24th/ 25th February 2010, 1.30 – 4pm and 5.15 – 8pm – Sadly I won’t be in the queue beside you!

The February NRC Meeting is tonight (2nd) in Ballybot House at 7.30pm and as usual all are welcome.