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GAY BELFAST NEWS FOR JUNE 2004For Latest News: Click Here Back to Archive News Page: Click Here Partners Win Landmark Ruling (26 June 2004)Belfast based gay rights group, The Rainbow Project has welcomed a stunning victory for same-sex couples in Britain this week after the highest judicial body in the country has ruled that gay partners have the same rights as heterosexual couples. In settling a long-running legal battle, the House of Lords rejected an appeal by a landlord who claimed a gay man could not inherit the tenancy rights of his partner after he died. Citing the Human Rights Act, four of the five Law Lords ruled that a gay couple had the same legal rights as a married couple. "Homosexual relationships can have exactly the same qualities of intimacy, stability and inter-dependence that heterosexual relationships do," said Baroness Hale writing for the majority. Lady Hale said she had no difficulty in applying the term "as husband and wife" to persons of the same sex living together in a stable relationship. The case centred on a relationship between Antonio Mendoza and Hugh Wallwyn-James, who shared a London apartment for 19 years. Wallwyn-James died from cancer in 2001 and the landlord served notice on Mendoza that the lease was no longer valid and that he would have to move so the unit could be rented. Mendoza filed suit claiming that he should have the same tenancy rights as a partner of the opposite sex. Lady Hale, in her ruling, said it was not long ago that it was considered acceptable for a landlady offering rooms to lawfully put a "no blacks" notice in her window. This was now considered wrong because the sex or colour of a person was "simply irrelevant". She said the guarantee of equal treatment was "essential to democracy". The government has already promised to change the law to give same-sex couples the legal rights and responsibilities of their married counterparts. The Civil Partnership Bill introduced last year will allow gay and lesbian couples to sign an official document at a register office in front of the registrar and two witnesses. Couples who register will have new legal status as civil partners.Discuss this article on the Gay Belfast Forum Warning issued after Gay attacks in Belfast (23 June 2004)Attacks on Gay and Lesbians in Belfast city centre, is on the increase warned Ryan O’Neill from The Rainbow Project this week. "There have been a number of vicious attacks on people coming to and from all gay venues around the Cathedral area. These attacks are not just on gay men but lesbians too". There appears to be a 10 strong group of youths who are singling out people on there own or in two’s around St Ann’s Cathedral. "People need to be aware that they are not just attacking people because they are gay, but robbing them of money and mobile phones too". If you are going home get a taxi from the venue, most of them now have free phones to taxi firms. If you have to walk home have some friends to walk with and stick to the main streets. If you are walking to another venue do not walk behind St Ann’s Cathedral stick to main streets as most of these are covered by police CCTV and are well lit. Never hang around outside a venue when it has closed, this is just asking for trouble. If you are attacked REPORT IT. This could help someone else – contact police on 999 or if you have been attacked and would like to report it, contact Ryan O’Neill at The Rainbow Project - 02890 319030Discuss this article on the Gay Belfast Forum Gay groups speak out against NI pro-life campaigner (10 June 2004)A pro-life campaigner in Northern Ireland has angered the region's gay rights groups, after she slammed candidates in today's European elections for supporting Civil Partnerships. Pro Life Campaigner Jennifer Barber told the Derry Journal earlier this week that many of Derry's regional candidates for the European parliament were "gutless fence sitters" for their support for abortion rights and Civil Partnerships. "The Civil Partnership Bill, which is supported by the SDLP, Sinn Fein and Eamon McCann, of the Socialist Environmentalist Alliance, is in fact gay marriage," Mrs Barber told the newspaper. "We, in the pro-life movement, are not only campaigning for pro-life issues, but also for family issues; you can't be pro-life and against the family."The comments have angered gay rights groups in Northern Ireland, including the Rainbow Project. Spokesperson Ryan O'Neill said "I find it unbelievable that in a week where a man has been charged with the attempted murder of a young gay man in a horrific homophobic attack in Derry and the conviction of two men of a homophobic murder in Belfast, a person like Jennifer Barber, who campaigns for life, is publicly applauding homophobia," the project's Sean Morrin said today. "It is comments like this that sends messages to people in our society that it is ok to murder and attempt to murder people different from her," he added, claiming her confusion over "gay marriage" and Civil Partnerships was "incorrect and can only be incorporated as blatant homophobia". He also argues that support for same-sex relationships does not have any effect on the issue of family. "According basic rights to gay couples in no way removes rights from other families," he said. "It is also erroneous to suggest that giving these rights is responsible for heterosexual marriage failures. Her arguments are ill-conceived and inconsistent and very much based on myths and prejudice." Discuss this article on the Gay Belfast Forum 'Love for Life' criticised by Euro candidate (8 June 2004)'Love for Life' a christian group that visits schools in Northern Ireland to teach sex education has been criticised by Eamon McCann a candidate for the European Parliament for its homophobia. Gay Belfast reported recently how The Love for Life project was criticised for statements on its website that suggest sexuality can be changed. Now Eamon McCann, the Environmental Alliance party candidate in this week's European elections, has called for the educational authorities to strip the group of its funding until it removes the online references. "[Love for Life] presents homosexuality as a phase or aberration, or a condition brought about by trauma," McCann told the Belfast Telegraph. "It is a religious, not an educational organisation. It would be entirely inappropriate to fund them to preach their message in schools."The Love for Life group, which has so far worked with more than 100 schools in Northern Ireland and is based on Christian teachings, advocates abstinence programmes to young people in a bid to reduce the risks of sexually transmitted infections and teenage pregnancies. However, on its website, it also claims that changing ones sexuality is possible. In a question and answer section, it says that although "psychologists and psychiatrists are often banned by their professional associations from helping those who want to try and change their sexual orientation, however, such changes are possible". "Exclusively homosexual sexual activity however, is extremely uncommon," it also claims. Additionally, it has released a statement from a child psychologist, which it claims backs the theories. An approach such as that of Love for Life, which views sexual identity as unfolding and encourages teenagers to delay experimentation with sexual intimacy in human relationships, is consistent with current professional opinion on factors affecting the development of homosexual orientation," Portadown consultant child psychiatrist, Dr Noel McCune told the Belfast Telegraph through the group. Its stance has been criticised by local gay groups. "The misrepresentation and homophobic language will only add to issues already affecting many young vulnerable people in this country," Rainbow Project's Sean Morrin told Gay Belfast last week. The Project will be meeting with Love for Life representatives in the coming weeks". Discuss this article on the Gay Belfast Forum Queer bashing teenagers convicted of murder (4 June 2004)Two teenagers have been detained indefinitely after they were convicted of murder. Raymond Taylor, 19, of no fixed abode, and a 16-year-old youth were found guilty of murdering Ian Flanagan om Belfast in 2002. Mr Flanagan, 30, was battered with a wheel brace and stabbed with a kitchen knife in the grounds of Barnett's Desmesne on 7 September. During the trial, they alleged he propositioned them.The body of the civil servant, who was originally from Keady, was found at playing fields in the Malone area of Belfast. A jury of seven men and four women took just over an hour and a half to return unanimous guilty verdicts at Belfast Crown Court on Friday. As the verdicts were read out, neither Taylor nor the schoolboy, who cannot be identified because of his age, showed any emotion. Family and friends of Mr Flanagan remained silent in the public gallery. Trial judge Mr Justice Coghlin told the pair that as they had been convicted of murder they would be detained "during Her Majesty's pleasure". He added that a future hearing would decide the minimum term they must serve before being released back into the community. Outside the court, Mr Flanagan's father (Samuel) said the family were "glad at the result and glad it's over". However, they added that no verdict would bring back their "gentle, well admired and respected son". There is still a place in my heart for them because of their background, their upbringing, they are still somebody's children." Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster after the trial, Mr Flanagan's father said he forgave the two teenagers. "I feel very, very sad for the two young men who took away our son. Yet there is still a police in my heart for them because of their background, their upbringing, they are still somebody's children and I pity them." During the three-week hearing, the jury had heard that the "brutal killing" appeared to have stemmed from "a robbery and a bit of queer bashing". Prosecution QC Patrick Lynch had told them that the day before his murder, Mr Flanagan had just returned from Amsterdam with his fiancee. While giving evidence on his own behalf, the schoolboy admitted that he robbed Mr Flanagan of the euros he had brought back with him as he lay dying. State Pathologist for Northern Ireland Professor Jack Crane had told the jury their victim would have survived "for a number of hours" but that he eventually died as a result of the head injuries he received. Comparing his injuries to those that would be sustained in a car smash, the pathologist said: "It seems likely that it was a combination of kicks and blows to the head that were responsible for the injuries and ultimately his death some hours after the assault." Both Taylor and the schoolboy had given evidence to the court in their own defence. Taylor had claimed that he only punched their victim twice after, he alleged, Mr Flanagan propositioned him, laying the blame for the large majority of the attack at his accomplice's doorstep. The schoolboy admitted to attacking Mr Flanagan with both the wheel brace and a knife but claimed Taylor had been "right beside me" and had joined in the attack. Discuss this article on the Gay Belfast Forum Anti-Gay Councillor Removed From DPP (3 June 2004)THE Policing Board has sacked Councillor Arthur Templeton after he was convicted of harassing a DPP colleague (John Blair) over his sexual orientation during 2001 and 2002. Mr Templeton was found "unfit" to discharge the functions as a member of Newtownabbey District Policing Partnership and ordered that he should be removed immediately. Templeton has already been suspended from his own party, the DUP.Police Board chairman Desmond Rea said the board had considered the case carefully and "within the parameters of the law. It was essential that the board dealt with this case in a considered way and one that ensured that the rights of all are protected; and public confidence in the ability of the District Policing Partnership to fully meet its important responsibilities are sustained. The decision taken by the board today was measured and informed and the policy now being put in place as a result of this case will ensure that any future cases will be dealt with in an effective and equitable way. SDLP policing spokesman Jor Byrne welcomed the decision and said it shows that the Policing Board is committed to equality for all. "This sends out a strong message that harassment of any kind - sectarian, racial or homophobic - is just not on. Instead, the Policing Board insists on equality and respect for everyone." Discuss this article on the Gay Belfast Forum
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