This must be an Article that’s gut-wrenching to have to write. Trying to gain a balanced view of the events that lead to a child’s murder is tough enough, treading on the privacy of friends, family and teachers. But these Authors had to traverse an American and worldwide culture war – the place of gay people in society.

 
The Article does not say that 15 year old Larry King provoked his own death, neither does it idolise him as a gay martyr (I posted a video on the subject of this killing on the 2nd March). It tries to bring across an impression of the society and school life that Larry and his killer Brandon inhabited, that probably snatched the life of two boys (the District Attorney is seeking 51 years to life for Brandon).

On thing this Article does not focus on is the role of the family, without the social values that family give us, no social norm seems worth adhering to. Society, instead of the family becomes the place where a child explores their identity.

There has been little discussion about the fact that the new Táiniste and Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has few policy achievements to point to in her political career. Most of the reaction has been in the vein of Labour’s Joanna Tuffy who “said it was good to see a woman in the post”.

New Táiniste & Minister Mary Coughlan: "Great to see a woman in the post"

Tangentially, real change could come to Ireland if there were more women in powerful political positions, the Spanish Government's female majority is an example for us all. However, my view is that Minister Coughlan may not be the example to follow.

Admittedly her Ministerial experiences have been in Agriculture and Social & Family Affairs – two “management” Departments that give little scope for policy dynamism. One area, however, she’s targeted diligently has been the undermining of the rights of gay people. As Minister for Social and Family affairs in March 2004, she attempted to introduce legislation withdrawing protections and rights from gay partners under an amendment to Social Welfare legislation. The amendment would have defined the word “spouse” solely in terms of opposite sex relationships. Also in 2004, Minister Coughlan took it upon herself to tell a European Union conference on Family and Social policy that Ireland would never be ready for same-sex marriage or gay adoption. “Ever” is a very long time, obviously Minister Coughlan had foresight denied to us who had been foolishly campaigning for just that.

The question is whether it’s right to have a Táiniste that has repeatedy tried to undermine the rights of a minority group in the country they govern? Obviously discrimination against gay people is no impediment to progress in this government.

Finally, as an addendum – isn’t it depressing that we have a Taoiseach, Táiniste and Minister for Finance who are inheritors of their father’s seats? Is this what you need for the sticking power needed for high office, a guaranteed seat because of your name, so you can concentrate on climbing the Ministerial ladder?

This video broke my heart. It’s the tortured innocence that young gay people experience every day that makes me be more out about me being gay than I feel comfortable with at times, so that maybe I can change things slightly for these children growing up. Yesterday when in Amsterdam I saw a young gay couple (late school-going age) who were out to dinner. Though I felt delight at seeing this for the first time ever (I think!), what I mostly felt was a terrible pain that I couldn’t have had those experiences growing up. Hopefully in the next generation, when kids get to adolescence they will be told that it’s ok to like anyone you want (even if they don’t like you back, sometimes) and nobody will be killed for asking someone to be their valentine.