2007: The year of misoppourtunity

It is the the 31st of December 2007 and Tomorrow will be the 1st of January 2008.

Where has the year gone eh? Well normally the appropriate answer to that is to say "God I don't know" However, in this instance I will not be using that response. Instead I will say, well 2007 has fucked me over as well as a number of others in this world so badly that I cannot wait until 2008 and a the season of new starts begins.

So where to begin. Well 2007 begun in the Lodge. Never a good start to any night but it was amongst friends and that is all that matters. 2007 also began with a medical scare, not helped by reactions and advise from certain persons within that particular organisation. Thankfully that got resolved and my health was improved. However whilst in the middle of that my entire medical history got broadcast loud and clear by a very vindictive person, whom has left my life and I hope never to have to deal with again.

A disagreement with people also graced the middle part of 2007, which has resulted in a more independent mindset. I regret that particular friendship is lost to me now because there was some very happy times involved and for that, if you are reading I do thank you.

6/7/2007. my brothers Bday party. 7/7/2007. Head on collision with a VW Golf around a very sharp bend on a narrow road. Two fire-brigades, Two ambulances & a Garda Car later, I emerged from the hospital on crutches, a bruised ego and a new found love of life-though that could have been the Diffene. Two months later a bill for €808 from the fire service arrived just when I was about to start in UCD. Thank god for AXA insurance extra benefits.

Work in 2007 was up and down like a roller-coaster. One minute I was one thing, the next minute I was another. and whilst I loved every minute I worked for the company, especially all my mates from there, there were times when it was severely tested to the max. Whilst I may be unemployed at the moment, it is good because I can focus more.

The Weather: Need I say anymore about the wettest summer on record!?!?!?!?!

We won't even go into the topic of relationships. The Summation Mantra still holds firm in this regard, as well as everything else in my life.

So there has to be some good points about 2007 right. Ok well yes there is a few. I got involved in Rainbow Support Services in limerick and in both their Youth group and briefly the Switch board. I helped with the running of Queerbash IV and it was a success, I think. I got introduced and hooked to Dr. Who. I became reacquainted with an old friend and rekindled our friendship, which I thought had become too distant to recover. I made new friends and thickened old friendships further. I took part in Cork Pride events and helped Out in UL build the only float for Limerick's first Gay Pride Parade. I got accepted to my masters course in UCD and I am loving it. I am so far keeping my promise to not be as involved in Organizations this year because of the masters alive, we shall see how the new year pans out. And latterly I have learned that sometimes it is better to build a bridge and get over it than to dwell on things too much-thanks for that kick up the arse! Overall perhaps the Good has out-weighed the bad of 2007. However I still cannot wait to see the back of it. Roll on 2008 because you are more than welcome into my life.

The Summamtion Mantra

Whilst being at home for the last couple of days, I have come across a couple of my old bits and bobs around the house. I found a recipe for a German Yeast bread, that was hand written by a cousin of mine, dollars, certificates, ticket stubs. However hidden underneath lots of paper on my wall board was a little slip of paper that I had typed up a couple of years ago. Its not my own words but the sentiment resonated with me then, and still does today. Even though I had forgotten about it for a while, it has been a mantra for me for the last couple of years. Try everything once. Take every chance. Get involved in organisations. Get attached to people. Get Burned by people. Ultimately it is a mantra about the joys and the tribulations of the every day, as opposed to the grand picture which fits into place in all our lives. Ultimately it is about Living Life to the best of our abilities.

"Life is a special thing. You only have one chance to do what you want. If you don't do it you will regret it and if you do do it you may regret it. So don't think about what you are going to do, Just do it. But if you regret it go on with your life and pretend it never happened."

Ag Fiach an Dreoílin: Hunting the Wren

So it is 2pm on St.Stephen's Day and so far there has been no sign of any persons coming to hunt the wren. I used to do it when I was younger but have not in years. It would be nice to see somebody coming to hunt the wren this year but I will not hold my hopes too high. I shall however recant my story of the how the Wren became the King of all the Birds. This story is of cunning and how the underdogs do sometimes win out.

The Birds of the World were arguing amongst themselves as to who was to be their King. The great Eagle with its magnificant poise and royal crown of white and noble yellow beak, exclaimed that he was the King as he was the biggest of all the birds present. Needless to say, this was disputed by some of the other birds. The Owl, whose self confirmed wisdom advised that his wisdom would ensure that he was the King of the Birds and would rule wisely. The Robin red-breast piped up that his breast & array of colours ensured that he was the most noble for the position. As all this arguing was continuing, the little wren listened the squalling that was ongoing, but kept quiet as it intensified.

The Birds of the World decided that the best way to find out who would be King was to have a competition to see who could fly the longest and highest. All of the Birds of the World agreed to this competition and the stage was set for the crowning of the King of the Birds for a mid-winter's morning. The birds all left to rest and prepare for the competition. The little wren remained thinking about the competition, and how he could win it.

The morning of the Competition arrived. A cool crisp landscape had landed on the day with the sun just breaking through the mist fog that had descended in the night. The noble Eagle with his golden beak and white crown arrived first, followed by the wise Owl. The Red Breasted Robin arrived, his red plumes glistening in the morning sunlight. Finally the little wren arrived still wondering how he would win the competition. He decided to nestle down for a nice nap before the competition begun.

Meanwhile, all the rest of the birds of the world arrived and got ready for the competition. The signal for the start of the competition was the sun arising over the crest of the furthest mountain. An Air of excitement built up among the Birds of the world as the sun begun its ascent into the morning sky.. As the first rays of the sun began to appear over the furthest mountain, the birds of the World took flight en masse in a such verosity that the Sun's rays of light were temporarily blocked by their flight ascent.

The Birds of the World continued to climb and climb, longer and higher until it begun to claim the first of its casualties. The red breasted Robin, with its red plumes was the first to fall, unable to continue the ascent bowed out of the race. Next the wise Owl, who had been keeping pace with the noble Eagle begun to show the strains of the competition and flew until he could fly no more. He then bowed out of the race.

The Noble Eagle looked quiet smug as he watched his competitors falling off one by one and continued to fly for longer and further as the rules they had agreed to stated. Finally when the Noble Eagle was assured that there was no longer any more competition around the place, he began his descent to claim his throne.

The little wren woke up suddenly to the jolt of a descent only to realise that he had slept for the whole race. However he then realised he fell asleep on the back of the Noble Eagle. He then jumped off the Eagle's back and begun to ascend and circle the lands, as the Noble Eagle began to descend. Once the the Noble Eagle had landed, and was ready to accept the defeat of the rest of the Birds of the World, the little wren descended among all of the Birds of the World. All were stunned to see how the size of the little wren had lasted against the test, that had seen so many fail. However they were forced to concede defeat to the little wren and the Wise Owl, the Red breasted Robin and the Noble Eagle all bowed to the King of all the Birds.


(EDIT: to take in account for comments)

The wren is surprisingly associated with treachery perhaps to do with the sneaking on board the eagles back. It is accredited with betraying Irish soldiers whom were fighting the advance of Norsemen, by beating their wings on their shields. The killing of the first of the Christian martyrs, St. Stephen, was apparently betrayed by the wren and this is one of the traditional reasons why the wren is hunted on St.Stephen's day. The procession song which goes with the hunting the wren goes something like this

'The wren, the wren, the king of all birds
On St. Stephen's day was caught in the furze.'

Another possibility for this rational, is that the wren in irish is "dreoilín" or 'draoi ean', which is a derivative of druids. A druid was a traditional healing man in the times of the olden tribes of Dé Danan and the Dál Cais. However with the advance of Christianity in Ireland, their influence declined. As such, the dreoilín became hunted as associated with the old ways and needed to be rid of. In traditional times, the wren would have been hunted and killed and brought around while singing in the areas. Personally (and thankfully!) I have never done that part of the ritual and it has died out in recent years.

The Festivities of Christmas.

The Festivities of Christmas Day is now dwindling down. Joyous occasion, as ever. Lots of food consumed and non-alcoholic beverages drunked. Thought I would share a picture of the Table setting this morning before it got destroyed. :-D. To my cousin and friends in Australia, Happy stephen's Day.

100 days for Equality

This came in my email this morning. Unfortunately I will be unable to attend but as usual I figured I would bring it to your attention.

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100 days for Equality

(Campaign for equality in civil marriage)

24^th December 2007

At the Symposium “Full and Equal Rights: Lesbian and Gay Marriage and Partnership Rights in Ireland” held on the 30^th November 2007, it was agreed by those who attended that a sustained programme of action was required between now and the end of March 2008, prior to the Heads of Bill on partnership rights being published. The purpose of this action would be to send a clear and unambiguous message to the Government that the lesbian and gay community are prepared to accept nothing less than full equality in relation to marriage.

It was further agreed that the NLGF would convene a meeting early in January to help progress a series of collective actions that might be taken in this regard.

This meeting is now scheduled for Saturday 12^th January 2008 from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm in Outhouse, Capel Street, Dublin and we would like to invite you to attend this important event and to get actively involved in this campaign.

It should be noted that this initiative is intended to focus on activities that can best be advanced collectively and will not encroach on the individual roles, campaigns or activities of any of its participants. This loose coalition will however provide a mechanism for;

• Facilitating a specific set of joint activities
• Developing the agreed collective messages for the 100 day campaign
• Creating awareness amongst and mobilising the lesbian and gay community for action.

The programme for the meeting will be sent out early in January and we hope you will be able to attend.

Orla Howard Patrick Lynch

NLGF: Convenor NLGF: Convenor

An Ode to the Children of the 80s, 70s & 60s

I must admit this brought a smile to my face. I was born in the mid-80s so alot of this is somewhat relevant. I still maintain however that I am a child of the 90s coz for the first 3 years I was crying and driving my mother insane, then for the next 2 years I was in school early driving my teachers mad. So my childhood memories begin in the 1990s..........Don't believe me....????...You are probably right..wishful thinking. :-)

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According to today's regulators and bureaucrats, those of us who were kids in the 60's, 70's and early 80's probably shouldn't have survived...

*Because our baby cots were covered with brightly coloured lead-based paint which was promptly chewed and licked.
*We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, or latches on doors or cabinets.
*It was fine to play with pans.
*When we rode our bikes, we wore no helmets, just flip-flops and fluorescent 'spokey dokey's' on our wheels.
*As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or airbags and riding in the passenger seat was a treat.
*We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle and it tasted the same.
*We ate chips, bread and butter pudding and drank fizzy juice with sugar in it, but we were never overweight because we were always outside playing.
*We shared one drink with four friends, from one bottle or can and no-one actually died from this.
*We would spend hours building go-carts out of scraps and then went top speed down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes.
*After running into stinging nettles a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
*We would leave home in the morning and could play all day, as long as
we were back before it got dark. No one was able to reach us and no one minded.
*We did not have Play stations or X-Boxes, no video games at all.
*No 99 channels on TV, no videotape movies, no surround sound, no mobile phones, no personal computers, no DVDs, no Internet chatrooms.
*We had friends - we went outside and found them.
*We played elastics and rounders, and sometimes that ball really hurt!
*We fell out of trees, got cut, and broke bones but there were no law suits.
*We played knock-the-door-run-away and were actually afraid of the owners catching us.
*We walked to friends' homes.
*We also, believe it or not, WALKED to school; we didn't rely on mummy or daddy to drive us to school, which was just round the corner.
*We made up games with sticks and tennis balls.
*We rode bikes in packs of 7 and wore our coats by only the hood.
*The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke a law was unheard of...they actually Sided with the law.
This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers and problem solvers and inventors, ever.
The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.

And you're one of them.
Congratulations!

This my friends, is surprisingly frightening......and it might put a smile on your face:

The majority of students in universities today were born in 1986....
*The Uptown Girl they know is by Westlife not Billy Joel.
*They have never heard of Rick Astley, Bananarama, Nena Cherry or Belinda Carlisle.
*For them, there has always been only one Germany and one Vietnam.
*AIDS has existed since they were born.
*CD's have existed since they were born.
*Michael Jackson has always been white.
*To them John Travolta has always been round in shape and they can't imagine how this fat guy could be a god of dance.
*They believe that Charlie's Angels and Mission Impossible are films from last year.
*They can never imagine life before computers.
*They'll never have pretended to be the A-Team, the Dukes of Hazard or the Famous Five.
*They can't believe a black and white television ever existed.
*And they will never understand how we could leave the house without a mobile phone.

Now let's check if we're getting old...

1. You understand what was written above and you smile.
2. You need to sleep more, usually until the afternoon, after a night out.
3. Your friends are getting married/already married
4.You are always surprised to see small children playing comfortably with computers.
5.When you see children with mobile phones, you shake your head.
6. Having read this mail, you are thinking of forwarding it to some other friends because you think they will like it too...

Yes, you're Getting old!!

LGBT Noise & Gay Civil Marriage

So today I took part in a protest with the new group 'LGBT Noise' on Sth King st. (I think, yas should know how shocking my geography is.lol). Anyways I arrived at 12ish, and firstly because it was bleeding freezing out, despite my heavy jacket & scarf, I needed a fantastic White hot chocolate from Butlers on Grafton st.(Stephen's Green end). I did eventually warm up and was beginning to feel my feet again but not until after the Carols had begun. Anyway I was amazed at the range of people who showed up today; maybe it is because I have always been involved in events in Limerick so I knew who everybody was or half-knew who everybody was. However I was genuinely amazed at firstly seeing Sen. David Norris, a man whom I have the greatest of admiration and respect for but then to see Katherine Zappone and Anne-Louise Gilligan as well, well needless to say I was very impressed. I do sometimes find it quiet hard to speak with people I don't know. Mainly because I don't know what to say, but when it is people whom you admire, for a whole host of reasons, then the walls just build and build.

The reasoning behind this protest/Carol Service was to give some momentum behind a push for civil marriage in Ireland. As the website states:

"The purpose of this event is to create an awareness of the need for FULL equality for gay people and to let the public know that Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgendered (LGBT) people no longer wish to remain second-class citizens under Irish law. The current government is promising to publish the heads of a bill for same-sex civil partnership in Spring 2008: Bullet points for discussion, not commitments to equal rights. This bill promises to demote rather than promote equality and is an insult to all who believe in human, civil and equal rights"

Doing the Masters that I am doing, has this year given me a whole new lease of life. I have begun to see things in a completely different light and also a recognition that while change is hard as hell, change is always necessary when inherent inequalities persist. While this was a view I had in the past, I think i have finally realized how hard it is to fight for something continuously when you know you should have it from the beginning.

I am Irish. I am a Constitutional Republican. I am a citizen of my wonderful Ireland. Yet my wonderful Ireland, in all her Constitutional Republican virtues, refuses to bestow all the rights and privileges which she gives to those who are married to me or any of us who identify as Lesbian or Gay. Instead, my wonderful Ireland will next year bring forward a piece of legislation which will apparently bring "equality" within my community. Well I say that this Civil Partnership/Civil Union is not equality. Equality which has restrictions is not equality. It is another institutional bloc which exists to prevent people from participating fully and openly in Irish society.

There is only one way to have equality between those who are gay and lesbian and those who are straight and that is the complete equalization of relationships in the State institution of Civil marriage. Those who argue that Gay marriage is not constitutional should examine their Government's own report on this, which says that the only way for full equality is for Gay Civil Marriage. It is also of note to point out that marriage has never been defined as one man and one women in the Irish constitution. The only piece of legislation which was brought in on this was the Social Welfare Miscellaneous Act in 2003, which specifically defined marriage as one man and one women, in order to further stigmatize and institutionalize homophobia within the Irish state.

I yet again call on those who read this blog to voice their opinions to all in their power. Make representations to your local T.D.s, get involved in a campaign, Support a Campaign, but ultimately get out and make some noise because be dammed sure that nobody else is going to do it for you. You are the only person who knows your story well enough that you can recount it. As the cliché goes "Be the change you want to be yourself". However as much as a cliché as that is, it was Mahatma Ghandi who said it.

Our Christmas Tree

Just thought I would give y'all an peek at our crimbo tree in the flat. Its pretty and has lots of fairy lights and is soo neatly proportioned....it was aload of maths and science ppl who did it, what a surprise :-D.lol. However it looks wonderful. :-D

the night

This is one of the first poems I have written in several years. I don't know why I felt the need to put it on this blog, as my poetry has always been quiet a private affair up to this point. However I felt the compulsion to do this so I am.

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the night

It is night outside.
The cold is apparent, wrapped around
a dark tall Oak tree.
Yet while I am warm inside and out of harm, the cold
which infects the night has
attached itself to me.

There have been warmer days; Joyous
heartful involved days. Warmth
appeared from the unlikely of places and times and moved
quickly to a place where heat had not been
felt for the longest of times.

Yet that heat has faded,
not because it was unwanted
but rather taken and quenched
like the dying ambers of a
turf fire; the cold awaiting to wrap with fervor its
claws and claim it for
the night.

(c) John James 2007

Gay Clare Disco

Just got this today from the Guys in Gay Clare.

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Hi,

We in the Gay Clare group wish to let you know you
that
the Christmas Gay Clare Night Out/Disco will take
place on
Saturday 29th December in the One Mile Inn, Lahinch
Road, Ennis.
Apologies for the delay in the announcement,we were
awaiting definite confirmation on the availability of
our venue.
Time 10.00pm till late. Music, dancing & Craic.
For further details email gayclare@yahoo.co.uk. You
can also check us out at www.gayclare.com
The site also has photos from our last night out. We
are also now on Bebo at www.bebo.com/gayclare

We hope you can make it and would appreciate if you
would let any people know who you might be interested
in coming along.


Hope to see you on December 29th.


Regards & thanks,
Gay Clare Group

13,000 Santas in Derry world record bid

Now why didn't I know about this! How fricking cool!
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13,000 Santas in Derry world record bid

13,000 Santas today walked Derry's walls today in a world record-breaking charity event.

Some of the 13,000 Santas who gathered at the Guildhall in Derry City to break the world record for the amount of Father Christmas' in one place.

They were attempting to break the Guinness world record for most Santas in the one place. The previous record was set in Las Vegas.

There was a carnival atmosphere with live music and victorious Derry boxer John Duddy arriving in the middle of the festivities, fresh from last night's performance in Belfast's King's Hall against Howard Eastman.

A spokeswoman for the organisers said: "It was the most amazing sight you have ever seen. We could hardly cope with the number of people registering (for the parade).

"There have been bands playing Christmas carols, different people who would be known locally, the atmosphere is just incredible."

Source & Contd:Ireland.com

Report reveals regulations for HIV+ travellers

6th December 2007 11:30
Antonio Fabrizio

The European AIDS Treatment Group has published the 2007 Quick reference: travel and residence regulations for people living with HIV and AIDS.

The publication, at its sixth edition, updates the information about all the requirements and regulations in every country for travellers living with AIDS.

It is designed to help people working in AIDS organisations and contains some of the most recent requirements adopted in several countries.

The report says that "being able to stay in foreign countries without restriction is something more or less taken for granted by many people living in Europe today.

"Yet in the majority of the world's countries, people with HIV/AIDS are refused that right."

193 countries were included in the survey. In 106 countries there are special regulations, and 90 countries with restricted residence regulations implemented mandatory HIV screening. There are currently 13 countries that bar people living with AIDS: Armenia, Brunei, China, Iraq, Qatar, South Korea, Libya, Moldova, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and the USA. Some European countries, including the UK, France, the Netherlands, and Italy, have no restrictions at all. Other countries such as Austria, Greece, Belgium, Spain and Germany have no controls of restrictions for EU nationals, but require a health certificate for non-EU citizens who are staying for a longer period. For some countries, such as Afghanistan, Bahamas, Grenada, Liberia, Mali, Mauritius, and Somalia, no information was available. Some Asian and Middle East countries have had very bad performances. According to the report there were cases where migrants died in jail without treatment waiting to return home. There were visa problems. "Some countries prefer not to have their citizens back if they can avoid it."

The publication is available in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian and can be can be found online here.

Source:Pinknews.co.uk

Bush: Dial 1-800-OOPS for housing help

US homeowners who could face crippling mortgage payments will have a hard time getting help if they call a telephone number President George W Bush recommended - because he gave them the wrong number.

"I have a message for every homeowner worried about rising mortgage payments: The best you can do for your family is to call 1-800-995-HOPE," Bush said after a White House meeting with administration officials and lenders on a new plan to help.

Unfortunately he was a couple digits off, it is actually 1-888-995-HOPE (4673).

Moments after Bush completed his remarks, a White House aide told reporters the president misspoke and gave the correct number. Calls to the number Bush gave out were met with a busy signal.

Source:Stuff.co.nz

India makes neglect of parents a criminal offence

Indians who neglect their ageing parents face possible prison under a new law passed by worried politicians.

The law reflects concerns that rapid modernisation and a growth in nuclear families is undermining a centuries-old social fabric of extended families.

"At least now the elderly can have a roof to live under and food to eat in their old age," Gyan Prakash Pilania, a Hindu nationalist MP, was quoted as saying in local news reports.

Under the law, Indians can face up to a month in jail if found guilty of parental neglect.

The law also allows authorities to order children or relatives to pay a monthly maintenance allowance to the aged.

Source:Stuff.co.nz

Melon Nights

came across this tonight.....



Online Videos by Veoh.com

World's biggest Asian elephant missing in Nepal

What is thought to be the world's largest Asian elephant has been missing from a Nepali wildlife reserve for a year and may well be dead, a reserve official said on Thursday

Raja Gaj, or king elephant, was estimated to be 11 feet 3 inches tall at the shoulder, some two feet taller than the average Asian elephant. The bull was one of the main tourist attractions at Bardia National Park in southwest Nepal.

"When I saw it last it was lean and thin, and finding it difficult to carry its own weight," Phanindra Kharel, a senior conservationist at the park, said.

Raja Gaj is, or was, more than 70 years old.

"There is very little possibility of finding such an old animal alive."

Kharel said he could not be sure if Raja Gaj had been killed by poachers, an illegal but common activity in the region.

He said he would ask colleagues in India this month if the elephant had wandered over into a nature reserve on the other side of the border.

There are about 250 Asian elephants – an endangered species – in the Himalayan nation, about 100 of them are domesticated and used for elephant polo and safaris in national parks.

Source: Stuff.co.nz

Sight restored in time for Christmas

Around 400 people in Fiji's Ovalau have just received, thanks to a New Zealand charity, their best ever Christmas present - their sight has been restored after a decade.

"The people of Ovalau have no eye services on their island and have been waiting for a surgical eye team for a long time," says ophthalmologist John Szetu who headed up a team of Fred Hollows Foundation NZ trained eye professionals.

"To finally have a team visit the island is a significant milestone and the perfect Christmas gift."

He said they were able to help a large proportion of the people of Ovalau.

"However, there is still more to be done and I hope to return there next year."

A Solomon Islander, Dr Szetu, was supported by a team eye care nurses, which included individuals from Niue, Samoa and the Solomons, as well as Fiji.

The team carried out over 40 sight-saving operations, just in time for Christmas, as well as treating a large number of potentially blinding eye infections and providing low cost spectacles to the community.

Cataract blindness is the most prevalent cause of blindness in the Pacific, yet sight can be instantly restored in a straightforward operation that takes roughly 20 minutes and can cost as little as $25 in some countries.

Carmel Williams of The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ says that in order to reduce blindness in the Pacific, it is vital that more Pacific eye care professionals are trained to carry out sight restoring cataract surgery, and to service the region's need for basic eye care.

"The Pacific region, including Fiji, has a severe shortage of Pacific eye care workers," says Ms Williams.

"Over 80,000 people are needlessly blind in the Pacific Islands region, and in Fiji alone there is a backlog of more than 6,000 cases needing surgery. This number will continue to grow by roughly 800 new cases each year, unless we have more eye doctors and eye nurses available, in country, to provide urgently required eye care education and eye care services," she said.

Source: Stuff.co.nz,/a>

A plea for the Broadening of Civil Marriage

While I am always slow to put across any particular group's manifesto, this provisio does not apply when it is something that I firmly believe in.

We live in a Republic. A Republic looks after of its citizens regardless of creed, beliefs, gender or sexual orientation. The individualistic nature of a Republic means that sometimes it combines with established societal norms and actively discriminates against those citizens who make up its core. Such a combination has existed in Ireland, with regard many issues, but now the time has come for the Irish Government to recognise FULL and EQUAL marriage as already exists in Civil marriage legislation in this state. The Government's piece meal equality which will be published in the heads of their bill next March, based on the the content of Sean Power, T.D.'s, (Minister of State with responsibility for Equality, Dept of Justice, Equality & Law Reform), speech at last weeks NLGF symposium in Kildare St, is just not good enough. 2 provisios will exist in this bill, a) the registration of partnerships mainly for tax, property & inheritance purposes. b) the dissolution of the registration of this partnerships. The problem which I have with these is one simple thing. This is STILL not full equality between heterosexual & homosexual relationships. There is only one way in which FULL AND EQUAL relationships can exist in the Irish context and that is through the broadening of the definition of Marriage, which the COLLEY REPORT, (a government report published in 2006), recommended was the only way FULL EQUALITY could be achieved.

I am calling on all people, GAY AND STRAIGHT to make representations to their local Government TDs, and call for complete Equality, which can only be acquired through the broadening the CIVIL MARRIAGE definition, and the extension of CIVIL MARRIAGE privileges and responsibilities to members of the Lesbian and Gay community.

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What is MarriagEquality?

MarriagEquality is a new initiative working for full civil marriage for same sex couples.

Wasn’t it previously called KAL?

MarriagEquality has grown out of the KAL Advocacy Initiative which was established to support the legal case of Drs Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan to have their Canadian marriage recognised in Ireland. This case is currently being appealed to the Supreme Court and is expected to be heard in autumn 2008.

So what’s the difference between KAL and MarriagEquality?

KAL was established specifically to support the legal case. MarriagEquality goes beyond the case, building a broad-based public initiative to promote civil marriage for all. MarriagEquality will be at the centre of an active coalition of individuals and organisations influencing legislators to introduce full equality for same sex couples.

But hasn’t the Government said it will introduce such legislation?

No. All the Government has done is to commit to publishing the Heads of a Bill on Civil Partnership in March 2008. Civil Partnership is not the same as marriage. It will not give the same rights to gay and lesbian people as marriage provides for heterosexual couples.

So, are civil partnerships or civil unions the same as marriage?

No. Civil unions and civil partnership are not marriage. They will create a separate and unequal institution. Civil partnership may well suit many couples but it will not suit those who want to get married.

But isn’t the Government against same sex marriage?

The Government’s own “Colley Report” commissioned in 2006 to examine partnership options clearly stated that marriage is the only option that would provide full equality for same sex couples.

Isn’t same sex marriage against the Constitution?

MarriagEquality shares the opinion of some of the finest constitutional lawyers in the country who see no constitutional impediment to providing marriage equality in Ireland.

There is no substance to the argument that full equality for same sex couples is unconstitutional. The Constitution is a living document that has been changed many times to reflect the changing needs of Irish society. No where does it state that marriage is only between a man and a woman.

Is Ireland ready for same sex marriage?

There are many same sex couples living in Ireland who have already been married in other countries, some of whom are raising children in loving and safe families. Same sex marriage is already a reality in this country.

What about other countries? Surely not many have introduced marriage?

In the European Union same sex marriage exists in the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain. In addition Canada, South Africa, and Massachusetts in the United States have introduced full marriage equality.

Catholic Spain?

Yes. The Spanish Government decided to introduce full marriage equality because they realised that half or incremental measures would mean simply returning again and again to the issue, and instead decided to deal with it in one go by providing full equality from the start.

OK. So what will MarriagEquality do?

MarriagEquality will be launched formally in February 2008. We will build an active coalition seeking equality for all. We will organise our own events, support other events, work to influence politicians, support couples, families and friends to meet and influence their public representatives and publicise widely this initiative.

Where do I find out more?

Contact Moninne Griffith, MarriageEquality Coordinator, at MarriagEquality@gmail.com or 087- 932 1329

Emoticon Humour

Source: Matt's Ink Finger

Fianna Fáil Fundraising.

Ok, now I am not going down a "Bertie-bashing, FF-bashing, Govt-bashing, Party-bashing, economy-bashing" route with this post. I just wanted to point out the irony of something I came across on the Fianna Fáil website.

Below is a copy of an image for the Superdraw, which will generate income for FF HQ, via Cairde Fianna Fáil. No problems with that. It's legit.

The irony I find in this is the BMW series 1, which is offered at 1st prize. Now if I was to win this car, which I could not because I am not a member of Cairde Fianna Fáil, I would be a right cranky person, when I got the car and realised it was above 1.6l. Then I would remember that all 1.6L cars Motor tax went up by the Government, whose main party(Fianna Fáil) coincidently are in part both benefiting from the purchase of the ticket for this draw (€50), but also receiving a continual tax revenue from this car, and the 2nd & 3rd prizes in motor tax for the next 10-15 years. Now thats what I call putting the country before profit.



Source:Fianna Fáil website

The Perils of Summer loving.

Despite the fact that it is coming into Winter here, One should never miss a chance to highlight the importance of STI screening.

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The Perils of Summer loving

With summer approaching, and a study published last week stating that women could self-test for chlamydia and then seek treatment, it is certainly timely to discuss this issue again.

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacterium called chlamydia trachomatis.

The disease has been steadily increasing in New Zealand since the 1990s and is now a significant problem.

It has been estimated that if you are a woman below the age of 25 you have a one-in-10 chance of catching chlamydia.

The only way you can catch chlamydia is through sexual contact. The only exception is newborn babies, who can catch chlamydia by coming into contact with it in the birth canal. You cannot catch chlamydia off a toilet seat or at the swimming pool.

The big trap with chlamydia is that it has symptoms that are often fairly non-specific. It may have no symptoms at all. Symptoms can be similar to a urinary tract infection or cystitis, and there may be non-specific lower abdominal pain or a change in vaginal discharge. A considerable number of women experience "silent chlamydia" which can be very damaging.

If left untreated, chlamydia may go on to produce pain if it spreads into the fallopian tubes. The pain can be present at any time but especially during sexual intercourse.

The spread of chlamydia through the fallopian tubes can cause the tubes to become damaged and non-functioning. The woman may go on to have an ectopic pregnancy or become infertile.

Men who have chlamydia may experience a urethral discharge and can also experience occasional pain around the testicles if the tubes going to the testicles are inflamed.

Pain on passing urine can also occur, especially at the tip of the penis, but even though the pain may last only a few days the chlamydia remains present and can infect a sexual partner.

If a woman presents with symptoms, a cervical swab is needed to diagnose chlamydia.

If the patient is a man, a urine sample is all that is required.

However, new technology enables a woman to take her own vaginal swab to test for chlamydia.

There is lot to be said for asymptomatic screening. I will often suggest a chlamydia swab for women when doing a cervical smear. For men, opportunistic screening seems to be fairly uncommon, but that may need to change.

Treatment is simple and often only two tablets of an antibiotic are required. In other cases a longer course may be needed. It is totally treatable, and the sooner it is found and treated, the less likely it is that there will be long-term consequences.

When a person is identified as having chlamydia, we try hard to trace and treat those who may have been exposed. Only in this way are we able to stop the spread. Treating just the sufferer is not enough. Often it is embarrassing and difficult, but it is very important.

Prevention is relatively straightforward. If you are not in a monogamous, long-term relationship, condoms are essential. Condoms are effective in preventing the spread of chlamydia.

When a couple is in a situation when they feel that condoms are no longer required, it is often a good idea for both to have STI screening before dispensing with condoms.

Source:Stuff.co.nz

A Common European Language

With all the talk about a single European currency, some people are talking about a common European language, with English being touted as the preferred language for communications, ahead of German. But the British will be asked to concede a simplified spelling to be phased in over a five-year period.

In the first year, 'S' would be used instead of the soft 'C'. Sertainly, sivil servants will resieve this news with joy. Also, the hard 'C' will be replaced with 'K'. Not only will this klear up konfusion, but typewriters kan have one less letter on the keyboard.

There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year, when the troublesome 'ph' will be replaced by f. This will make words like 'fotograf' 20 per sent shorter.

In the third year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible. Governments will enkourage the removal of double letters, which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling. Also, al wil agre that the horible mes of silent 'e's in the languag is disgrasful, so they would hav to go.

By the fourth year, peopl wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing 'th' by 'z' and 'w' by 'v'. During ze fifz year, ze unesesary 'o' kan be dropd from vords kontaining 'ou', and similar changes vud of kors be aplid to ozer kombinations of leters.

After zis fifz year, ve vil hav a reli sensibl riten styl. Zer vil beno mor trubls or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu understand ech ozer. Ze drem vil finali kum tru.

World AIDS Day

Today is World AIDS Day across the globe. Despite the advances of anti-viral medications in this field, it still remains a fact that if you do contact HIV, which may lead to the development of AIDS, you will have to take at minimum 3 drugs a day and up to 16 a day. This is not exclusive, and the side effects from these drugs in order to try and stave off the advance of AIDS can be quiet diverse depending on the person.

This is a horrific disease and one which we need to be aware of its affects and how it affects those around us and across the Globe.

If you do nothing else today, Buy a red ribbon and support the good work which is being done by our NGOs & Health services.

http://www.worldaidsday.org/