As many people are aware, a Gay Pride billboard on the back of Free Derry Wall was pulled down and smashed up some time ago. This shocked many people and, admirably, new boards were drawn up signed by a number of organisations pledging opposition to such an attack and homophobia generally. This was an excellent and a necessary endeavour but it could not replace the need for an honest, open and serious debate on the whole area of gay, lesbian and bisexual pride. The replacement boards did not remain on the wall for any length of time, and one could be forgiven for thinking that discussion of the entire sorry episode had been stifled.
The whole attack threw into sharp relief, the widespread homophobia in this town and throughout Ireland which can mouthe liberal heterosexual platitudes about equality and yet squirms at the thought of celebrating gay, lesbian and bisexual liberation. Since the landmark Jeff Dudgeon case in the north and the David Norris case in the Free State removed the illegality of homosexuality, the issue of 'gay rights' has been one characterised by ideas about privacy. As the judiciary always does, the entire debate on rights was controlled by and subjugated to the needs of their perverted language and feudal customs. It became a case of 'you can be whatever you wish, as long as you keep your sexual preferences behind closed doors'. Homosexuality was thus freed and imprisoned on the same day. Politicians, legislators and judges didn't want it in the dock because they didn't want it discussed, not because they all suddenly caught themselves on to the rights that Dudgeon and Norris, backed up by European bureaucrats and lawmakers, were asserting. Debate remains submerged, and not only in Derry. The task, therefore, of pushing this human rights agenda centres on generating dialogue and rests with every progressive humanitarian in this and every other society. People should engage much more on the whole issue and on their terms, not those of politicians, bureaucrats and lawyers. There is a great need to come together and organise to challenge homophobia in every locale and situation, and to work towards the elimination of remaining judicial boundaries to gay, lesbian and bisexual life &endash; such as the equalisation of the age of consent to meet that for heterosexuals, to combat discrimination in employment and to promote adoption and fosterage by gay, lesbian and bisexual couples on an equal basis with heterosexuals. Straight people have their 'fucking rights', it's high time gays, lesbians and bisexuals had theirs, without such there can be no liberty and certainly no equality &endash; the two principles upon which anarchism is founded and for which all anarchists earnestly struggle. We stand by our gay, lesbian and bisexual brothers and sisters and demand for them the anarchist definition of true freedom &endash; 'the unlimited liberty of each through the liberty of all, liberty through solidarity, liberty in equality (political and economical and social)ÉThe liberty, which will abolish all heavenly and earthly idols, and erect a new world of fellowship and human solidarity on the ruins of all states and churches'. (Mikhail Bakunin)
As we go to press vicious rumours abound concerning the flying of the union jack from the British ministerial offices of Sinn Féiners up at Stormont. Presumably, the billowing tricolour would signal the immediate end of colonial rule if not colonial wages and perks not to mention the eradication of poverty, ill-health, discrimination and all and sundry causes of general unhappiness.
The SDLP are, of course, much better, focused as they are on trying to ensure that the RUC are not called the RUC, and that their cushy MLA lifestyles are maintained on the occasional trade-off of persuading an unscrupulous and non-unionised American multinational to locate in the north.
For his part, Trimble is a bit busy trying to fend off those like Jeffery who threaten to push him out of politics into the hard life of academia, business or memoir-writing. Never mind that his Upper Bann constituency has increasing numbers of homeless people, some of the longest hospital waiting lists available, perpetual sectarian intimidation and murder around Drumcree, and a public transport infrastructure as useful as a chocolate fire-guard.
On a more positive note, however, the sterling work of the Women's Coalition in pushing for more women politicians and executives has undoubtedly given great succour to working single mothers, unemployed teenage women, and women forced into economic hardship, exile and psychological trauma to obtain their right to abortion. It is almost as praiseworthy as David Ervine's PUP enfranchising fortunate and grateful constituents by introducing them to the dubious pleasures of civil war. Last but by no means least, we must include that light of truth in the darkness of depraved and Romeward Ulster, the DUP. Ian, wee Ian, Sammy, Peter, Gregory (apparently secretly named after a former Pope), and the gang have been unyielding in their struggle to crush the power of the Jesuits and a wealthy Polish halfwit who really run government here, and to harry every single last Lundy into political oblivion (except on a Sunday, naturally).
So far this year thousands of Irish women have been forced once again to travel to England in order to assert their right to control their own bodies and seek an abortion. Imagine, if you can, the terrible strains, fear, upheaval and monetary expense incurred in such a trip. Imagine the silence which enshrouds those women, the abuse and shame which church and state have heaped upon them. Above all, imagine actually voting for people who could, and have, condemned women to continue living out that horrific existence. Stormont politicians of all shades recently demonstrated a remarkably united affinity of bigotry with their neo-colonial counterparts in Dublin by rejecting calls for the extension of the 1967 Abortion Act. De Valera's shrill and inhuman anti-abortion constitution was further strengthened in 1983, and those at Stormont were determined not to give way (Not An Inch) in the north.
It's high time we stopped pleading and started demanding. Politicians have given us nothing but grief and drivel, and it is only through exerting the maximum amount of pressure in as many areas as possible that we can force a change on both sides of the border. Pickets, leaflets, and direct action are the only way forward.