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GAY BELFAST NEWS FOR OCTOBER 2004
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Irish Bishop backs gay rights (27 October 2004)
Senior Catholic bishop, Dr Willie Walsh, Bishop of Killaloe has gone against the Pope's recent comments, and backed equal rights for lesbian and gay couples. Speaking during a radio interview with Clare FM, Dr Walsh also said that he did not believe sexual diversity was a sin and that catholic teachings in the past may well have contributed to homophobia. "I have no difficulty in relation to recognising the civil liberties of people of homosexual orientation," he said, adding that sexual diversity was not a sin or a virtue, but just "a fact".The comments come as Ireland's government reportedly looks into offering rights to same-sex couples. The system could well be similar to that on offer in France and Germany, or to the bill currently passing through Westminster. Belgium and the Netherlands offer full marriage rights to same-sex couples, while Spain is set to offer them in the near future. Dr Walsh's comments will anger other senior members of the Catholic church, who have repeatedly called for a block on laws giving lesbian and gay people equal rights. Most recently, the Pope hit out at "threats" to marriage, preaching chastity as the only "solid hope" in the fight against HIV and gay marriage.
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Latest hate crime figures revealed in Belfast (27 October 2004)
The true extent of homophobic attacks in Belfast has been revealed, with new figures suggesting more than 5 hate crimes based on anti-gay feeling or racism take place in the city each week. The revelation has occurred during the current the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee visit to the province, which is intended to help find solutions to some of the problems minority groups in Ulster face. It is also looking into the proposed hate crime legislation, which will help local judges offer harsher sentences for crimes motivated by prejudice and discrimination. The committee has previously been told that police officers need more specific training in how to deal with lesbian and gay victims of crime, so as to help engage with the community more directly.According to the BBC, racist and homophobic attacks in some parts of Belfast have doubled between April and September. A total of nearly 130 attacks took place during the period, with anti-gay attacks ranging from verbal abuse and graffiti to death threats and stabbings. Some members of the District Police Partnership are calling for the local police service to consider surveillance in the fight against hate crimes, as well as a tougher stance on repeat offenders. Homophobic attacks in Northern Ireland have continued to dominate the news in recent months, particularly those attacks in Derry and Belfast. However, some gay rights groups say the true numbers are consistent, but work done by local police has encouraged more people to come forward and report the crimes, without fear of being dismissed.
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Gay groups call for more police support (26 October 2004)
Groups representing minority communities in Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland are calling on the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to show more support for victims of hate crimes. Members of lesbian and gay groups, as well as ethnic minorities, say that at present, some police officers can come across as dismissive of the problems facing them in the province.The comments have come as the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee meets in Belfast to look into the problem of violent hate crime. Proposed legislation would give stiffer penalties and more protection to victims of crime committed because of prejudice. Those protected would include lesbian and gay people, as well ethnic minorities, religious believers and possibly disabled people. The number of attacks on Ulster's lesbian and gay community have shot up recently, with incidents including beatings to death threats and stabbings. The PSNI has already announced a multi million pound campaign to stamp out such crimes in the province, while many gay groups believe a sizeable chunk of the new reported cases of homophobic abuses are the result of police work to engage directly with the gay community.
However, some advocates of the community believe police officers should receive specialist training into how they deal with lesbian and gay victims of hate crime. It is thought that the findings made by the committee could have clout in how the new legislation is drawn up. SDLP MP Eddie McGrady told the BBC that the findings of the committee could make a difference. "That is a very, very useful exercise and, as it's done by a House of Commons committee it carries quite an extraordinary amount of weight and influence."
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Gay man hits out at Northern Ireland police (19 October 2004)
A gay man is threatening to sue the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), accusing the force of violent homophobia and victimisation. Jeff Hoskin says he will sue the force after he was cleared of assaulting a police officer in Belfast. The 27 year old was said to have verbally abused an officer and pushed him. The encounter took place in the city after he was attacked by a gang of 10 homophobic youths while leaving a local gay club. But the charges were dropped after CCTV footage showed none of the aggressive behaviour that was linked to him. Hoskin told the local press that the case against the gang was "depressingly slow", and accused the police of not following it up with enough vigour. He added that he was in the process of organising a dossier to push ahead with a claim of defamation and distress. The claims come as the PSNI works to ramp up its campaign against homophobic crimes in Northern Ireland, announcing a multi million pound strategy earlier this year and pledging to work closely with the gay community in the near future. It also follows a run of increasingly violent homophobic attacks in Northern Ireland, many of which have resulted in stabbings, anti-gay grafitti on houses and death threats. Hoskin says that the way his attack was treated shows how the work done has so far seen little effect. "The way this was dealt with was very insensitive and it shows they need a lot more training on homophobic crime," he told the local press.Discuss this article on the Gay Belfast Forum
DUP Councillor to pay out £4,000 to gay victim (13 October 2004)
Shamed DUP Councillor Arthur Templeton has been ordered by a civil court to pay £4,000 in compensation to a man he subjected to a campaign of gay harassment. The order was made by the Small Claims Court in Belfast yesterday after the civil case was brought by the victim John Blair. Earlier this year Councillor Templeton had been convicted and fined in the Magistrates Court for a campaign of homophobic harassment against Mr Blair, a former Newtownabbey councillor. Mr Blair, a member of Newtownabbey District Policing Partnership, today said he now wanted to put the matter behind him and move on with his life. Arthur Templeton (45), of Liscoole Park in Glengormley, was found guilty of harassment in April and fined £250. A court heard that he had harassed Mr Blair, a fellow council candidate on several occasions, during election campaigns in 2001 and 2002. On one occasion Templeton bent over in front of Mr Blair, patted his backside and said, "Here you are, John". On other occasions he called him "queer" and offered to hold his hand while crossing the road. The case in the Small Claims Court yesterday was brought by Mr Blair who claimed the incident and subsequent publicity had caused him stress and embarrassment. Templeton did not attend the hearing and was not represented. A judge ordered that Templeton should pay compensation of £4,000 plus costs for the case. Mr Blair said today he was relieved it was all over. "As far as I am concerned this matter has now concluded. I have been through enough stress due to the actions of Arthur Templeton. The prosecution of Arthur Templeton dragged my private business into the public domain. I have no intention of starting a debate on my private and financial matters in public." Templeton was not available for comment today but earlier this year he described his conviction as "political correctness gone mad" during an interview with the Belfast Telegraph. Following Templeton's conviction in April he was removed from Newtownabbey District Policing Partnership and also suspended from the right wing DUP.Discuss this article on the Gay Belfast Forum
New survey into the health of young gay and bisexual men in Northern Ireland (12 October 2004)
The Rainbow Project, Northern Ireland's only gay and bisexual men's health agency have 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. The research is part of a three year project funded by Diana, Princess of Wales memorial fund 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 in Northern Ireland and the research is a fundamental part of the work which aims to increase the positive mental health and well-being of young gay and bisexual men in Northern Ireland. Boyz II Men forum co-ordinator David Hiles said: "Anecdotally we have always been aware of high levels of poor mental health among our young gay population in Northern Ireland and this research is vital to help us get a clearer picture of how to help these socially isolated young men" The questionnaire is available on The Rainbow Project's website at www.rainbow-project.org/survey.html or a booklet format with freepost return envelopes can be obtained by contacting Helen McNamee at 028 9031 9030 or research@rainbow-project.org. There will be an opportunity for all those who have completed the questionnaire to take part in a prize draw. There will be 30 exciting prizes given away which will include vouchers for mobile top-ups, music, high street clothing stores and restaurants. Helen McNamee, The Rainbow Project researcher added "We are encouraging young same-sex attracted men to take the time to complete the survey. The results that we receive will ultimately help improve the lives of young gay and bisexual men in Northern Ireland"Discuss this article on the Gay Belfast Forum
Tell Your Story (5 October 2004)
Barnardos is looking for young lesbian, gay or bisexual people, up to the age of twenty-five years old, to tell their stories about the difficulties of growing up in Northern Ireland. Barnardos want to learn more about the homophobia that young LGB people face at school, at home and in their daily lives. You won't have to speak for long and your contribution will help Barnardos with their work to support young LGB people. A seminar will take place on Tuesday 26 October in the NICVA building in Belfast. If you want to learn more about this opportunity, contact David on 90319030 or by email on forum@rainbow-project.com. Barnardos LinkDiscuss this article on the Gay Belfast Forum
Fancy a weekend in Westport, Co Mayo? (2 October 2004)
OUTWEST Ireland has announced notice of their next event, which will also be held in Westport (the Westport Woods Hotel this time) on Saturday the 4th December. Doors Open @ 10pm. Music by ACE D.J's AKA Betty Herring. Accommodation rate at the Westport Woods Hotel is €55 B&B per person sharing (€20 single supplement) to book contact the hotel on +353 98 25811 or email info@westportwoodshotel.com.Discuss this article on the Gay Belfast Forum
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