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GAY BELFAST NEWS FOR AUGUST 2004
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Gay Olympics? no chance! (25 August 2004)The 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens will host 10,500 athletes from 199 countries, but there are only nine openly and publicly gay jocks among them. The nine are: Robert Dover (American equestrian rider and subject of a terrific profile); Guenter Seidel (an American on the equestrian team), Carl Hester (British dressage team), Rob Newton (British hurdler); tennis players Amelie Mauresmo and Martina Navratilova, Dutch swimmer Johan Kenkhuis (who came out earlier this year), German cyclist Judith Arndt and female German fencer Imke Duplitzer (who lost in the quarterfinals). There were seven at the Sydney 2000 Games. Judith Arndt's sexuality became very public on the second day of competition in Athens when she won the silver in the women's road race, then popped the finger to the German Cycling Federation as she crossed the finish line. According to Deutsche Welle news service, "Arndt was disconsolate with her silver medal following the race, accusing the German Cycling Federation of squandering a chance to win gold by excluding her girlfriend, sprinter Petra Rossner, from the Olympic team. "Of course we're happy to have won the silver medal, but actually, we've lost the gold," Arndt said after the race. "If Petra Rossner had been nominated, we could've had the gold. She would've been our trump card, because she's the fastest." Robert Dover told the Associated Press there are scores more not ready to be open. "You spend a day with these athletes, and it becomes obvious that gay people are everywhere," Dover said. "The reason many of them aren't out is because they're focused on their job during this time when sports is the No. 1 thing in their lives." In 2000 Derrick Peterson got some attention when he told Genre magazine, “"I hate labels. I don't really care what people think of my sexual orientation, I like men and women. One thing I will say for sure, I'm definitely not heterosexual!" A few weeks after the article appeared, Peterson reversed himself, saying he wasn’t gay and professing his love for his girlfriend; he said his past comments about being with men was part of an “experimental phase.” Gay? Straight? Try confused. The lack of publicly visible gay athletes in Athens is ironic. The original Olympics, which spanned 1,200 years, were in many ways the first circuit parties. They were all-male affairs (including spectators) and the athletes competed in the nude. The cult of the body reigned supreme and the Greeks were very comfortable with men being in homosexual relationships. Athletes devoted full-time to training and were the celebrities of their day. This history makes the current state of affairs all that more depressing. Gay Belfast Hunk of the Month for July - Rob Newton, for example, told Instinct magazine, “I don’t know any other gay athletes, if there are any.” And he decried the very closeted nature of sports, attributing it to “stigma. It’s 2004, for God’s sake. I’m not treated differently, so other athletes should see me as an inspiration.” The reasons athletes stay in closet cross sport and geographic lines: fear of the reaction from teammates, management and fans; fear of losing endorsements and sponsorships; and a general fear of sticking out when single-minded devotion is needed to succeed. Check out www.outsports.com for the latest news at the Summer Olympics in Athens and gay sporting news throughout the year. |
 Gay swimmer from Netherlands Johan Kenkhuis won Silver Medal in Athens |
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Gay Guy attacked in Derry (17 August 2004)
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The PSNI in Derry/Londonderry have today released information on another homophobic attack in the Waterside area of the city. The attack was on a 28 year old man in the Spencer Road area of the Waterside when a skinhead assaulted the man leaving him with eye injuries which he had to have treated at Altnagelvin Hospital. Local police were today studying seized CCTV footage in their bid to crack down on homophobic attacks in the city. And, following a series of assaults throughout Derry, they urged all victims to come forward, or to contact a local gay rights organisation. "The weekend incident is currently under investigation and CCTV footage has been seized to establish if video evidence of the attack is available," said a PSNI spokesman. It is believed the footage was seized from a local business. Police have also appealed for any witnesses to the attack to contact them at 028 7136 7337 or through Crime- stoppers on 0800 555 111. |
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Another Christian Homophobe Speaks Out (15 August 2004)
A Baptist preacher has angered local gay rights groups by claiming lesbian and gay people were pursuing an "agenda". Pastor Mark Bradfield told the Belfast Telegraph that, while he is against violence, he is angry at the apparent respect that gay people are given. "There is an agenda to let this very small homosexual minority gain a huge foothold within society and get laws changed to suit themselves," he told the newspaper, adding that LGB people had "chosen their own path". He also criticised moves towards giving same-sex couples more equality. "I do not agree with attacks on anybody, but I get worried because I have yet to hear of a functional homosexual family and I have yet to see any medical evidence to suggest homosexuality is anything other than a lifestyle choice."His comments have been slammed by the local gay rights group the Rainbow Project, although it has apparently agreed to meet the Pastor to discuss the issues. "It's typical of reactionaries like Pastor Bradfield to exude such venom in the face of an excluded group gaining human rights," Gary McKeever said today. "I look forward to the day when we can take action against such individuals for incitement to hatred, as for too long they have hid behind religious beliefs to uphold the kind of narrow bigotry that sees gay people persecuted."
The comments come after a rise in anti-gay attacks in Northern Ireland, which led to the local police force, the PSNI, pledging to crack down on homophobic violence. Some attacks have been religiously motivated, with one protest against Belfast's Pride celebrations being organised by a coalition of Christian believers. Despite the planned demonstration, and the creation of a bogus website which claimed the city's parade was a chance to recruit young people, a record number of people attended the Pride celebrations earlier this month.
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Gay Pride Civic Reception attacked by Unionist councillors (14 August 2004)
The recent Gay Pride Civic Reception held in Belfast City Hall descended into a marathon boozing session according to furious Unionist members of Belfast City Council, who boycotted the Gay Pride function. They claim that more than 300 bottles (between 400 guests) of wine were downed, and the glasses left strewn around the City Hall. It is also alleged that derogatory remarks had been shouted about one councillor - DUP member Sammy Wilson - during a speech by Lord Mayor Tom Ekin.However, Sinn Fein Councillor Eoin O' Broin, who was a guest at the function, in the banqueting hall, said: "I would be amazed if 300 bottles of wine were consumed. "I can also say that the only remark I heard during the Lord Mayor's speech was when he referred to the word 'tolerance', and someone said 'it's not tolerance anymore - it's equality'. It was a very successful evening, and one I hope will be repeated."
Gay Rights activist P A MagLochlainn said: "Some people seem to be getting hot under the collar about nothing. There were around 400 people there and those councillors who did attend went out of their way to show solidarity, and illustrate that attitudes are changing. But there was absolutely no drunkenness, and, while a few glasses may have been left outside the banqueting hall, that was probably smokers, who had to step outside to light up. There wasn't a word said, during the speeches, about Sammy Wilson."
Unionist councillors are also demanding to know how much the civic reception will cost the city's ratepayers. However, a council spokesperson would only say: "Reports on these events are presented to the relevant committee, and it would be inappropriate to release the information ahead of the committee being informed."
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Belfast Gay Men wanted for Survey (12 August 2004)
The Rainbow project in Belfast has launched a questionnaire entitled Health and Youth to find out more about the health of same-sex attracted men aged 25 and under in Northern Ireland. Helen McNamee a researcher at The Rainbow project in Belfast said "The research has received funding from Diana, Princess of Wales memorial fund, and is part of a three year project entitled Boyz II Men which has been set up to address mental health issues for young gay and bisexual men. This is the first project of its kind to be set up in Northern Ireland The long term goal of the research is to provide substantive data for the development of policy and services across the community, voluntary and statutory sector which will support and empower young gay and bisexual men in Northern Ireland and ultimately help reduce the incidence of mental distress among young gay and bisexual men." The questionnaire can be completed online at www.rainbow-project.orgDiscuss this article on the Gay Belfast Forum
Gay Belfast Pride: A Success (8 August 2004)
3000 people took part in the annual gay pride parade in Belfast on Saturday 7th August. Although a number of homophobic protesters turned up, the parade passed off peacefully and had no effect on those taking part and supporting the 14th year of gay pride in Belfast. PA MagLochlainn of the Northern Ireland Gay Rights Association said: "A lot more people are coming out because they see our visibility and that we can walk the streets here. That gives these young, shy people - who have no other sorts of information - the courage to say who they are."Discuss this article on the Gay Belfast Forum
Anti-gay group threatens disruption for Belfast Pride (5 August 2004)
A sinister group claiming to be a "Christian Coalition" has pledged to disrupt this weekend's Pride march in Belfast. The group has also set up a website that accuses lesbian and gay people of being "perverted". Additionally, the Stop the Parade (STP) organisation has accused gay people of using the Pride parades to "recruit" children. In a statement released today, the group threatens to hold a "vociferous protest" against the Pride celebrations, attacking the "scandalous" decision to allow the march to take place. They also warn that their demonstration will not be the last to be held across the country."Christian scriptures declare sodomy and homosexuality to be sinful, abominable and perverse. This demo will be the first in a series against the proliferation of these revolting spectacles across the UK." Worryingly, the group has also commissioned a website, at www.belfastpride.org, hoping to confuse gay people looking for the official Pride site, at www.belfastpride.com. On the site, the STP group has detailed information on the "filthy practices" and information on Christian groups that erroneously claim to "cure homosexuality". In a separate section, the website also accuses Pride celebrations of being an undercover attempt by gay people to "recruit" young people. "Because homosexuals can't reproduce naturally, they resort to recruiting children," it reads. "Homosexuals can be heard chanting "TEN PERCENT IS NOT ENOUGH, RECRUIT, RECRUIT, RECRUIT" in their homosexual parades."
The group says it is making a stand in line with its religious beliefs, but believes its views are supported by the general public. "We believe the vast majority of public opinion to be with us in our campaign against these disgusting displays of heinous perversions. We will strive to make the majority's voice heard above the shrieks of the politically correct 'luvvies' and politicians who pander to the homosexual micro-minority's every whim."
However, the plans were slammed by the city's gay rights groups and support networks. Gary McKeever from the Rainbow Project said "The growth of these repressive hate organisations is directly related to our continued successes in gaining further human rights. They're frightened that their narrow world view is being challenged." He reassured those looking to attend the parade that the protest will not affect it, and that he is keen to push for legal punishment for the anti-gay organisation. "They should be prosecuted for incitement to hatred. It will take more than their bitter rancour to spoil the pride parade," he said.
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Loyalist paramilitary group denies death threat to local gay couple (3 August 2004)
Northern Ireland's largest loyalist paramilitary group has denied any part in the death threats posted to a gay couple in the province earlier this month. The Ulster Defence Association (UDA) had been linked to the threat after a note telling the couple to leave their home was signed in its initials. The note told the couple they had "2 weeks or bang bang" and called on "gay bastards" to leave the residence. Additionally, their home, in Derry, was daubed in graffiti telling them to get out of the area. However, one member of the unnamed couple has reportedly been told that the UDA had no part in the threat. He told the Derry Journal that he would not give into anti-gay threats. "If they're trying to get to me or the gay community, I can assure them that there are a lot more like me out there," he told the newspaper. Although it is by far one of the more sinister examples, the threat is the latest in a long line of anti-gay incidents in Northern Ireland. Attacks in Northern Ireland have been steadily increasing in recent months, with violent attacks taking place in Belfast and Derry. Earlier this year, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) admitted there was a high number of attacks on the gay community, and pledged to fight the rise with a million pound budget and more community link up strategies. However, one support network in the region says that outside of the main cities, the situation can be just as bad for gay people. David McCartney of the Rainbow Network told the Derry Journal that "it's happening right across the North," but is more obvious in cities where reporting mechanisms exist.Discuss this article on the Gay Belfast Forum
Double trouble for Belfast Pride Dinner (1 August 2004)
Organisers of Belfast's Pride events have already been at the centre of a row with the city's officials over a banned double act, just two days after the celebrations were launched. The events were launched this weekend and are due to take place over the next week with a city parade scheduled for August 7th. However, a double act were barred from playing at the official launch of the celebrations on Saturday evening, with organisers accusing City Hall of censorship. They say that officials at the Hall refused to allow Angie McManus and Mary Torney to perform as Kerry O'Gold and Dolly O'Doyle at the Hall, the Belfast Telegraph reports. However, the council dismissed the claims as a "misunderstanding", telling the newspaper that there are strict rules for entertainment at the Hall. "This has been a misunderstanding, Belfast City Council (was) hosting a civic dinner for Belfast Pride and as such it is the council's role to organise any entertainment," a spokesperson said today. More than 1,500 people are expected to attend the city's celebrations this year. Events include theatre shows, talks on how to fight homophobia, parties across the city's gay scene and a meet and greet with the province's police force. Additionally, Saturday's march is expected to travel throughout the city and past City Hall, which became the focus of a protest from religious groups last year. Organisers are already calling for attendees to avoid any conflicts with the protestors this year.Discuss this article on the Gay Belfast Forum
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