Sinn Fein Supports St Patrick's Day Events Excluding Gays and Lesbians

[C. Flower]

Gerry Adams was criticised by the Alliance Party today after supporting St Patrick’s Day events in America which exclude women and gays.





The Sinn Féin president visited a club that bans women in Boston last night and is due to take part in a pre St Patrick’s Day parade which does not allow gay participants in the Massachusetts city later.


Mr Adams said he was committed to full equality between all section of society.


But Alliance Party leader David Ford said: “Sinn Féin at home talks a lot about inclusivity and equality on the face of it it seems Mr Adams applies different standards in the US.”


The West Belfast MP spoke at the Clover Club last night for the Irish America Partnership charity.


Massachusetts governor Devale Patrick refused to appear there in December because it is an all-male club.


Mr Adams plans to take part in the pre-St Patrick’s march through Boston later today.


Boston mayor Thomas Menino refuses to attend because homosexuals are not invited.


Mr Adams was a guest of honour at the annual St Patrick’s Day breakfast for the Irish diaspora in Boston today.


“I am against exclusion, I am for inclusivity,” he said at event.


He made the point against the exclusion of women last night and added that everybody in Ireland needed to support greater openness.


“I know about exclusion, we made our position very, very clear on that,” he said.


“We believe in equality, all groups should be free to be involved in any assembly, particularly one which is celebrating Ireland and which is about a celebration of the Irish.”



Read more: http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/adams-under-fire-for-supporting-events-banning-women-and-homosexuals-449949.html#ixzz0iAyDkSWH (http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/adams-under-fire-for-supporting-events-banning-women-and-homosexuals-449949.html#ixzz0iAyDkSWH)


Should Gerry Adams have boycotted these events ?

[Xray]

What about parades in Ireland that exclude unionists or catholics?

[moss]

There are female only clubs/organisations so I see no problem with the all male club.
A homophobic public parade is a different matter and imo should be boycotted by all right thinking people.

[Xray]

There are female only clubs/organisations so I see no problem with the all male club.
A homophobic public parade is a different matter and imo should be boycotted by all right thinking people.

Is it homophobic just because it is not gay? I am sure gays can go if they are not "dressed" up. I am sure opus dei would not be invited to have a float at a gay pride event.

gay pride is not "anti-catholic" but i am sure they are not invited. paddys day in the states is very much a catholic event.

[moss]

To my mind it's homophobic if homosexuals are explicity barred from participating.
I'd say gay pride organisations would be only too happy for opus dei to take part in their parades in a respectful manner in a show of tolerance and acceptance.

[C. Flower]

I get the impression that Gerry Adams was being called on hypocrisy, as much as anything.

Did Sinn Fein have much to say about Iris Robinsons religious views against homosexuality ?

[Xray]

To my mind it's homophobic if homosexuals are explicity barred from participating.
I'd say gay pride organisations would be only too happy for opus dei to take part in their parades in a respectful manner in a show of tolerance and acceptance.

You are probably right.
Are the banned or just not invited to have a float etc?
They might not want a Scottish float either.

[moss]

I get the impression that Gerry Adams was being called on hypocrisy, as much as anything.

Did Sinn Fein have much to say about Iris Robinsons religious views against homosexuality ?

Their paper did.

http://www.anphoblacht.com/news/detail/30261

And from Catríona Ruane


"There are equality laws in the north of Ireland," she said. "I think it is really important that politicians play a leadership role and that leadership role should be not to say anything that could possibly inflame the situation or cause further distress."

None of it scathing.

[moss]

You are probably right.
Are the banned or just not invited to have a float etc?
They might not want a Scottish float either.

Hard to tell from the link. Though it mentions the mayor won't attend because gay organisations were not 'invited'. I don't think gay organisations should expect the right for a formal invite. Being explicitly barred would be a different matter.

The story could just be Ford and some gay organisation kicking up dirt over a non issue.

[Xray]

Hard to tell from the link. Though it mentions the mayor won't attend because gay organisations were not 'invited'. I don't think gay organisations should expect the right for a formal invite. Being explicitly barred would be a different matter.

The story could just be Ford and some gay organisation kicking up dirt over a non issue.

Yea, could be either really. It is easy be offended if you want to be.

[Almanac]

Should Gerry Adams have boycotted these events ?


Of course not. People are free to do as they please.

[Newsy]

Should Gerry Adams have boycotted these events ?

[/COLOR]

As a private citizen he can do as he chooses.

However, as a public representative, yes he should have boycotted them.

[moss]

As a private citizen he can do as he chooses.

However, as a public representative, yes he should have boycotted them.

Should he boycot womens institute meeting because it's an all female organisation ? Don't think so.

From the link it's unclear whether gay organisations didn't recieve a formal invite or are barred from the parade.

I'm going with Ford being a **** and deperately trying to find a stick to beat SF with. He can't have his calling the Bloody Sunday inquiry pointless his latest spew so he creates a diversion.

Edit. I think the heading for the OP should be changed unless it's established that gay and lesbian organisations are explicitly barred from the parade.