Mr Maguire seeks to blame homosexuals for AIDS. Scientific opinion is that it is caused by a virus which can be spread by a number of mechanisms including sexual activity (all types), the injection of drugs, contaminated blood transfusions and through being born to someone suffering from the condition. Blaming homosexuals for AIDS is like blaming Diabetes on Fatty food. It is to infer an absolute causal relationship where none exists.
Mr Maguire seeks to blame homosexuality for suicide and distress whereas any prevalence of these conditions within homosexuals (if true) is more likely to reflect the widespread nature of social prejudice against those born into the LGBT community – a problem likely made all the worse by Mr Maguire’s intervention.
Against the backdrop of the recent exposure of how the Catholic Church presided and covered up for a pervasive network of systematic sexual and physical abuse, it is sickening that anyone can, in their name, attack others for their sexuality.
Moreover, the courts have recently heard evidence suggesting that the brutal murder of Shaun Fitzpatrick in Dungannon in 2008 may have been due to his homosexuality; those who peddle homophobia share the blame for the violence that they propagate throughout society. It is the same as for those who peddle racism, sexism or sectarian prejudice.
Working class people need to stand united for change. Any attempt to divide us whether along racial lines, gender, sexuality or religion weakens our abilities to change society for the better.
Yours faithfully,
Domhnall Ó Cobhthaigh
Socialist Party, Fermanagh
In the past 12 months over half a million workers have been sacked across Northern Ireland and Britain. In the North, over 102,000 people are unable to find work - more than double the official unemployment statistics.
Shut down BNP ‘call centre’
Family and childcare social workers within the Belfast Health and Social Services Trust have taken the courageous step of voting in favour of taking industrial action including strike action against cuts in services to the most vulnerable families and children in the Belfast area. According to the Department of Health’s own figures, family and childcare services are 30% underfunded compared to anywhere else in Britain. On top of that, the amount of childcare cases in the Belfast area have increased by 25% over the past year, yet the Trust are cutting millions out of these essential services and putting the burden on social workers.