Don’t get me wrong .
We humans are a diverse species and our continued survival demands mutual protection and, at least, toleration, but preferably respect.
I see no cause for pride in being human, nor Irish, heterosexual, nor right-handed. Nor any need for shame.
I speak most often in English and read over 99% of what I read in that language. More often than not by English or American writers.
Some writers whose opinions I most respect, such as the English historian, playwright, diarist Alan Bennett, and the late American Gore Vidal, never pretended to be hetero, nor showed pride in being otherwise. I usually agree with Matthew Parris, columnist of THE TIMES, an ex-MP, Tory, openly gay for many decades. One of his attractions for me is that he never seeks to shove his opinions down my throat.
His column today (Saturday May 22) is headlined “STONEWALL SHOULD STAY OUT OF TRANS RIGHTS WAR” and says “The organisation I helped found has lost its way since winning gay equality and is mired in an issue that isn’t its concern.”
I’ve had subscription to HISTORY IRELAND for over twenty years, during many of which its rear end carried advertisements for The National Library of Ireland showing interesting and attractive photographs from former times.
The latest issue has a part rainbow and the legend “LIVING WITH PRIDE” and explains it as “an expression of The National Library’s commitment to LGBTI+ representation in Ireland,”
The Library is “delighted to offer: – a year long series of on-line events
– an exhibition of ‘Living with Pride’ photographs,
and – a focus exploring the Irish Queer Archive at the Nationa Library.”
I understand that the ultimate Governor of the Library is the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and that her remit includes the Decade of Commemoration .
The commemoration of the forces which attempted to strangle Irish democratic government at birth seems to have been part of her Department’s responsibilities. Most citizens have rejected that as perverse, indeed perverted.
Perhaps the “Living with Pride” programme is a continuation of a Constitutional Crusade, to woo Ulster Unionists into a Republican embrace?
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