Issue 8 of Mygayzine Magazine and We’Re Pleased to Announce Our Publication Has Expanded to Include Both the North and South of the Border
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HI FROM US We’re back with issue 8 of MyGayZine Magazine and we’re pleased to announce our publication has expanded to include both the North and South of the border. This means more juicy stories, news and pictures from Plus all our regular contributors all across Ireland. spread across 7 sections. Misty’s chatting pride fashion, Chris This month we’ve McMurray gives her thoughts on brought you more news, entertainment and shares a contributors and articles poetry helping, Maurice reviews than ever. There are his recent trip to the Algarve, Peter interviews with Ryan Francis Fahy discusses Queer Fear Jagger and Jessie K and Ryan Dior’s disappointed by the ahead of their 2013 pride current situation on the Manchester performances, Mister gay scene. Underground discusses his battles with mental We’re also pleased to welcome Lucy health, Father Joseph is Lashes as our resident agony aunt. back with his update on the election of the new She’ll be taking your questions via pope and his thoughts email: [email protected] or via on the Irish Constitution text message on our shout out zone vote on equal marriage number: 07564877618. and Lucy Lashes gives us the lowdown on the We won’t take up any more of your emerging Donegal LGBT time. Thanks to everyone involved. Scene. Enjoy x MAY 2013 Equal Marriage NI On April 29th we saw yet another motion calling for marriage equality defeated at the Northern Ireland Executive, this time by 53 votes to 42, with 3 abstentions. The motion of marriage equality; through a ‘petition of was tabled by and calls on the concern’. Sinn Fein MLA’s Executive to bring Caitríona Ruane, forward the necessary The DUP continue Barry McElduff legislation to allow for to put up barriers same sex marriage” for LGBT people and Bronwyn by refusing to McGahan An alliance allow a straight following an amendment which forward democratic overwhelming emphasised the assembly vote vote in favour of freedom of churches decide on this issue. a referendum on to practise and legalising same- define marriage as Finance Minister sex marriage in they choose was Sammy Wilson, of the Republic of also voted down the DUP, defended Ireland. at the assembly his party’s use meeting (46 for, of the petition of 51 against, 2 concern saying it was The motion read: abstentions). important to stop “This Assembly “reckless legislation”. recognises the The largest opposition importance of to last month’s bill He insisted the the Constitutional came from Unionist motion would not Convention; notes representatives, promote safeguards the participation particularly the DUP or equality and he did of parties from the who effectively not believe a balance Assembly; welcomes vetoed the motion in of opinions had been the 79 per cent the days leading up to accurately reflected majority vote at the the assembly debate during the debate. Constitution in favour 4 Newry and Armagh Alliance Party huge significance for UUP MLA Danny leader David Ford a number of religious Kennedy said he who stepped denominations and was opposed to any down as elder at other faith groups”. change in legislation Second Donegor due to his religious Presbyterian Church Colum Eastwood of beliefs which he said earlier last month, the SDLP said he were consistent with around controversy believed that if two the teaching of the surrounding his people of the same Presbyterian Church. support for equal gender loved each marriage added: other and wanted to The Presbyterian commit their lives Church had sent “Equal marriage together they should messages to all is a matter of great be supported. MLA’s in the run up importance to many to the discussion in our community, to One of the most warning politicians many citizens who passionate and well that marriage for have a legitimate informed speeches same-sex couples expectation that they of the day came would “effectively will be treated equally at the close of the demolish” by the state, but I also discussion when generations and acknowledge that Caitríona Ruane centuries of societal it’s an issue of great took to the floor... norms. sensitivity and of 5 MAY 2013 (Continued) With the amazing is still hope the surge tidal wave of equal of equality will reach “…Attitudes marriage sweeping us one day. Only by in Ireland are the globe lately it making the most of changing, changing was difficult not to every opportunity because people get a little excited by to raise the debate do not want to see the approach of last can we ever make others discriminated month’s debate. progress towards against, changing adding our name to because the LGBT Unfortunately the the list. community have DUP have shown said enough is they will consistently Chair of The Equal enough. They are wield their “petition Marriage NI John standing up for of concern” weapon O’Doherty reassured themselves and whenever LGBT the LGBT Community their communities. issues are being that the motion’s They understand discussed and it’s defeat is just a that if they don’t difficult to see how, setback in what [stand up], the they, while still our looks set to be a hateful words of the majority party will long and hard fought never, never, never ever allow this motion battle: ”We are not brigade will continue to pass. Other disheartened at all, to fan the flames parties who leave we will continue to of homophobic the issue of marriage fight the good fight” behaviour. They equality to “personal and Canon Charles understand that if conscience” should Kenny the Secretary they don’t stand show more leadership of Changing Attitude up and become and unity within Ireland believes that visible more young their parties by recent developments people will die by getting to grips with only bring us closer suicide, because if understanding this to equality: “The year they don’t hear a issue once and for is drawing nearer counter voice to the all and adopting it as when the love and vitriolic gay bashing their party policy. justice expressed they will internalise in the gospels will it... it is not a waste Same-sex marriage win out and sweep of time talking is now legal or in away the faith-based about rights… or the process of being prejudice against protecting our legalised in fourteen gay and lesbian children.” countries and there couples”. 6 Share your thoughts Online at www.MyGayZine.co.uk Equal Marriage NI on Facebook: “Disappointing outcome today but the fight for equality has always been an uphill battle. We stand together as a community fighting for equality, confident in the belief that marriage equality will become a reality in Northern Ireland. We shall overcome.” It’s clear to see that at the recent May ‘What do we want? the debate can only Day Rally in Belfast Equal marriage! When be seen as progress and appeared to do we want it? Now! but it has also be reignited by the If you won’t vote for highlighted stubborn debate at Stormont us or ours, we won’t barriers in the beliefs in April. The group vote for you or yours. of others who fail to got an applauding Through the courts recognise LGB&T reception in Belfast or on the hill, equal people as entirely and there were chants marriage, yes we will’ equal. of support from the crowds as they We’ll leave it at that. Equal Marriage walked through city NI were present centre yelling: Share your thoughts Online at www.MyGayZine.co.uk 7 MAY 2013 Poots’ Blood Ban Debate Update Northern Ireland Health Minister Edwin Poots’ decision to maintain the lifetime ban on gay men giving blood in Northern Ireland has been debated in the High Court. Mr Poots himself a born-again Christian who disapproves of same-sex relationships, said it was taken purely on health grounds to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Northern Ireland David Scoffield Attorney General QC said: “Working The gay man John Larkin, the chief that figure into challenging the ban legal adviser to the the increased has been granted Stormont Executive, risk of one anonymity due to his questioned the infected donation perceived vulnerability legitimacy of the per billion, we and is now seeking challenge. estimate the a High Court ruling Minister is to bring Northern Earlier in the week, concerned about Ireland’s policy into Mr Justice Treacy an additional line with the rest of was told the lifetime infected donation the UK. prohibition was being made disproportionate, roughly every The Belfast Telegraph with an estimated 50,000 years.” reports that the man one additional HIV revealed in court that infection per billion Following final he has now become a blood donations submissions Mr born-again Christian if a 12-month Justice Treacy who now disapproves deferral period was reserved judgment of gay relationships. introduced. in the case. 8 Contact Us: [email protected] Pride Season in Ireland kicks off this month with Kerry’s 1st ever Pride Kerry Pride DATES: 20th May- 26th May PARADE: 25th May Waterford Mardi Gras DATES: 27th May- 2nd June PARADE: 1st June Dublin Pride DATES: 21st June- 30th June PARADE: 29th June Belfast Pride DATES: 28th June- 6th July PARADE: 6th July Cork Pride DATES: 29th July- 5th August PARADE: 4th August NorthWest Pride DATES: 12th August- 18th August PARADE: 17th August, Sligo Foyle Pride DATES: 20th August- 25th August PARADE: 24th August Newry Pride DATES: 26th August- 31st August PARADE: Pride Ball - 31st August Limerick Pride DATES: 30th August- 8th September PARADE: 7th September We would like to wish everyone a happy and joyous 2013 Pride Contact Us: [email protected] 9 MAY 2013 Anyone Fancy A Big Gay Lunch? Celebrating Solidarity at the Big Gay Lunch Members of the Northern Ireland LGBT Community celebrated the European Day of Solidarity between Generations with a very special Big Gay Lunch at the end of last month, 29th April at QueerSpace in Waring Street, Pictured left to right: Lynn Johnston, Belfast.