Gay Belfast News

Homophobia and racism are on the rise in Northern Ireland, a survey of public attitudes reveals today. Anti-gay prejudice has almost doubled in three years, according to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. In 2005, 14% of people it surveyed said they would have a problem with a gay, lesbian or bisexual person. That figure rose to 23% in the 2008 poll published today. The report comes after a series of statements by local politicians have been branded homophobic. Iris Robinson, the Democratic Unionist MP, faced widespread criticism after she said homosexuality repulsed her and could be "cured" by psychiatry. Bob Collins, the commission's chief executive, said: "The results of the survey highlight the breadth of work which remains to be done in order to effectively change perceptions and attitudes towards citizens in Northern Ireland." "When those in the gay community look around - seeing a young husband and wife with a pram and a baby, an older husband and wife holding hands, churches preaching that it is God's plan 'for one man to be with one woman till death do us part' - they are reminded that they are wrong, plainly and simply." He ended his letter with an apparent comparison of the gay movement to Nazism, saying: "Hitler said that the lies most easily believed were the biggest, loudest and most repeated." When contacted by PinkNews.co.uk, the Derry Journal said its letters page was "jam-packed" with responses to Bradfield's attack, with the vast majority of those against his homophobic stance. Earlier this year, police said Iris Robinson would not be prosecuted over remarks she had made about gays. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph last summer, she said: "I cannot think of anything more sickening than a child being abused. It is comparable to the act of homosexuality. I think they are all comparable. I feel totally repulsed by both." She also suggested that there are therapies to "cure" people of homosexuality, saying: "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. "And I have met people who have turned around to become heterosexual." Shortly after her outburst, Mrs Robinson's son Gareth was photographed kissing a man and sitting on his knee at a Belfast party.

Pastor Mark Bradfield of Bethel Baptist Church has attacked homosexuality, saying it is associated with shortened lifespans and mental health problems and that people should change themselves. In language strikingly similar to that used by homophobic DUP MP Iris Robinson last year. Bradfield's tirade was published in a letter to the Derry Journal. He was responding to an article published in the newspaper earlier this month, in which the local Rainbow Project welcomed US president Barack Obama's decision to proclaim June LGBT Pride Month. He claimed that being gay was "unfulfilled, lacking, impulsive, compulsive and fraught with health risks", adding that anyone who might "dabble' in this lifestyle" does so "to their severe detriment." Belfield, whose church is non-denominational, continued: "The Word of God tells us in the old and new testament that the gay lifestyle is an abomination - Not God's will! He also provided a way out of this lifestyle - as has been chosen by many. To trust the one man - Jesus Christ - that still offers a real lifelong, fulfilling, relationship.

Things are changing for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) young people in Northern Ireland. The Minister for Education will launch the "OUTstanding Youth Work" training resource at the University of Ulster in Jordanstown. "OUTstanding Youth Work" is a 2 day training programme aimed at giving youth workers a better understanding of sexual orientation and how to deal with homophobia within youth settings. LGBT young people have specific experiences as young people within our community. They can often face considerable barriers in terms of marginalisation, invisibility and discrimination. They also may face emotional, physical, familial, social and cultural challenges during the process of coming to terms with their sexual orientation or gender identity. In 2006 the Young Life and Times survey carried out with young people aged 16 from Northern Ireland indicated that 8% of young men and 9% of young women were same sex attracted. In previous research 91% of LGBT young people believed that youth organisations should support them to address their needs. This research also indicated that 79% of youth organisations would like to access specific training for their staff. The training programme has been designed to meet this need, using the collective experience of youth workers from Youthnet, GLYNI, The Rainbow Project, YouthAction NI and Opportunity Youth. The workers involved in creating the training are passionate about how the training could lead to better support for LGBT young people and make a real difference in their lives as they come to terms with their sexual orientation. Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane said: " Everyone in our society has basic human rights and I as Education Minister take my duty to respect and treat all sections of the community equally very seriously. The training pack being launched is an excellent resource and I congratulate Youthnet on the work it has done to develop it. "Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) young people should have access to support and a full range of learning opportunities to help them develop to their full potential. I am keen to support any resource which gives youth workers the opportunity to understand more about the specific experiences facing all our young people. Defending human rights requires individuals and organisations to stand up and be counted - I commend the courage and foresight of the people from Youthnet for developing this training pack." Liam Larmour from Gay and Lesbian Youth Northern Ireland said: "This is the first specific training aimed at youth workers. Those who participate in the training will notice a real improvement in their confidence and practice when dealing with LGBT issues". Sean Morrin Youth Support Worker The Rainbow Project said: "This training will meet a real need that has been expressed by Youth Workers all over Ireland. It will create a visibility within the Youth Service for young LGB People. This is a very positive step for these young people, their families and friends. LGBT young people will be present at the launch to give their personal experiences of youth service."

A significant percentage of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people living in Northern Ireland have been the victim of homophobic hate crimes during the last three years, according to a new report. However, 64 per cent of homophobic incidents experienced by individuals were not reported to the police. Through Your Eyes - perceptions and experiences of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual people towards homophobic hate crime and policing in Northern Ireland , is published by the Rainbow Project and supported by the PSNI and the Northern Ireland Policing Board. It highlights that there are still high levels of homophobic hate crime throughout Northern Ireland and low levels of reporting and recommends steps that the PSNI should undertake in order to improve co-operation with the LGB community. According to the research, 21 per cent of gay and bisexual males and 18 per cent of lesbians and bisexual females have been the victim of one or more homophobic hate crimes or incidents over the last three years. Approximately 10 percent of LGB people said they had been the victim of incidents over the past 12 months. Overall, 30 per cent of those experiencing homophobic hate incidents during the past three years were physically injured, the report reveals. A quarter of incidents were carried out by neighbours or someone living in the local area and 19 per cent of crimes occurred at the home of an individual. The PSNI define homophobic hate incidents as 'any incident which is perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by homophobia'. Some 39 per cent of LGB people said they alter their behaviour to avoid others knowing that they are not heterosexual. While the research shows a reluctance on the part of victims to contact police regarding incidents, the research shows that 53 per cent of those who had contact with the PSNI over the past year were either very or somewhat satisfied with the service they received compared to 29 per cent who were either very of somewhat dissatisfied. Twenty-one percent of LGB people said they believe that the police in Northern Ireland are homophobic while 30 per cent stated that they believed the PSNI was aware of issues affecting the gay community.

Iris Robinson and her husband First Minister Peter Robinson both tried to claim for the same £1,223 expenses bill on the same day. Mrs Robinson, who once described homosexuality as an "abomination", was exposed in the latest round of expense receipts published by the Daily Telegraph. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MPs have come under scrutiny for their financial affairs before, with a tabloid newspaper reporting last month that they claim almost £600,000 a year in salaries and expenses. The double claim was rejected by officials, as was a claim for a total of £10,860 in mortgage interest payments made by the couple - covering five months - because they did not provide mortgage interest statements as proof. It was not clear whether the money was paid to them or if they eventually submitted evidence of the interest. Between 2004 and 2008, the couple claimed a total of £159,208 on their east London flat, most of which went on mortgage interest repayments.They bought the flat in 2001 for £450,000. They also claimed £30,525 for food between 2004 and 2008, reaching the £400 limit most months. In response, Mr Robinson described the double claim for the £1,223 bill as "an innocent mistake". He said: "The two claim forms were prepared for the signature of my wife and myself by the same person. They are signed separately and then sent together in the one envelope. Anyone in the fees office would have been dealing with the claims together and inevitably would have noticed the innocent mistake. It is clear that this one duplicate entry over many years was an innocent error and happily was spotted." He added that the £100 per week claims for food were "not unreasonable", although he said none of the couple's children had spent "more than half a dozen nights in the apartment over the years".

Mrs Robinson earns £63,291 for her position as an MP, £24,296 as an Assembly member and as chairwoman of its health and social services committee and £9,550 as a councillor for the Castlereagh borough in Northern Ireland. Mr Robinson takes home £63,291 as MP for East Belfast, £71,434 for his role as First Minister plus a third of the £43,101 salary for being an Assembly member because he is also an MP. They also claim more than £150,000 for the salaries of their staff with Mr Robinson employing their daughter Rebekah as office manager and private secretary and son Gareth as parliamentary assistant. Mrs Robinson employs their other son Jonathan as office manager and daughter-in-law Ellen Robinson as part-time secretary. Earlier this year, police said Mrs Robinson would not be prosecuted over remarks she had made about gays. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph last summer, she said: "I cannot think of anything more sickening than a child being abused. It is comparable to the act of homosexuality. I think they are all comparable. I feel totally repulsed by both." She also suggested that there are therapies to "cure" people of homosexuality, saying: "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. "And I have met people who have turned around to become heterosexual." Shortly after her outburst, Mrs Robinson's son Gareth was photographed kissing a man and sitting on his knee at a Belfast party.

WHEN 'The Central' bar opened in Castle Street in Strabane last year, many said it wouldn't last months. Well those critics have been proved wrong. The Central is one of the North West's most thriving gay night spots and last Saturday, staff joined punters in celebrating the bar's first birthday. The celebrations got under way just two days after the bar was named alongside some of the biggest names in the industry at the FATE Awards in Belfast.

The success of the Central has largely been down to the vision of landlord James McCarron. During his year at the helm he has worked alongside his clientele in uniting the gay and straight communities locally. While currently operating discos, karaokes and entertainment almost nightly, James has also run Mr and Mr nights, drag events and even brought the Foyle Gay Pride Parade to Strabane for the first time in the festival's history.

Few can deny that opening a gay bar in a small Tyrone town was a gamble and one that could have easily proved the naysayers right. So how has James and his team made it work? "Looking back now, it was a gamble and could easily have went either way. "But over the past six months it has really taken off and now we have a crowd almost every night and our name on the street seems to be fairly good. "So thankfully the gamble seems to have paid off," James explained.

Some months, the Central was plagued by rumours that it had cast off its 'gay bar' tag. Not the case at all according to the owner. "We are still very much a gay bar. I wouldn't want to stop anyone coming in for a drink, provided they appreciate what they are coming in to. What I would say is don't be offended because this is a gay bar and you know what you are getting. "Some people were fairly negative towards the idea of a gay bar at the start but even a few of them have started socialising in here and thankfully no one seems to have taken offence so far," he said.

Prior to April 4 last year, concerns were voiced that the Central's opening would lead to an increase in homophobic attacks and anti-social activity. Again, none of these fears have become a reality James said.
"We generally attract a younger gay clientele, aged between 20 and 30 and they haven't seen any trouble and I haven't had any reports of bother. I think it did take people a while to feel secure about drinking here, but there has been no trouble at all.

"I think a lot of the success the Central has been down to the customers. They have taken it upon themselves to organise various events and nights and that has helped bring people from Derry, Donegal and even further afield. "One of our customers recently started up a new gay group, Truly, Madly, Deeply, which is basically about bringing like minded people together and building up contacts and organising events and weekends away. So hopefully the working relationship we have with our customers continues, because without them, we wouldn't be here ourselves.

"As for the future of the bar, all I can ask for is more of the same. Myself and the staff will continue to try and build on what we have here and keep it going in the right direction. "If things keep going the way as they are, there could be bigger things down the road as far as the Central is concerned," James added.

Pope benedict has caused extreme concern amongst HIV /AIDS prevention specialists across the world with his comments on condom use. Speaking on his first trip to the African continent, the pontiff told journalists on his flight to Cameroon that the condition was "one that cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which even aggravates the problems". David McCartney of the Rainbow Project said today "if the pope is serious about preventing new HIV infections, he should not oppose wide access to condoms and spreading information on how best to use them, HIV is not a contraception issue it is about preserving life and preventing the decimation of communities, condoms alone will not stop the spread of HIV in Africa but they are one of the very few HIV prevention mechanisms proven to work" "The Pope promotes precautions such as chastity and abstinence as fundamental methods for stemming HIV; however this ignores fundamental human nature and shows a lack of understanding of the nature of human sexuality and behaviors." Health experts across the entire world have adopted the position that condoms provide the most effective method of prevention, the evidence is unassailable. One recent analysis which audited thousands of studies concluded that condoms when used in line with the correct information can cut HIV transmission by 80%. The pope's claim that condoms aggravate the spread of the virus is totally without any reasoning. David McCartney added "that whilst faith plays an important role for millions of Catholics worldwide faith alone is no prevention against AIDs"

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