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Statement re. Iris Robinson & homophobic propaganda

DUP MP and MLA Iris Robinson has again landed herself and her party in hot water by making outrageous homophobic comments. This time she spoke during a debate in The House of Commons dealing with child sex offences. The comments have sparked protest on the streets and brought condemnation by all the other main parties including members of The Alliance Party, The Ulster Unionists, The SDLP and Sinn Fein.

Date: Monday, July 21, 2008, 10:50 AM

STATEMENT BY THE BOARD OF THE RAINBOW PROJECT
The Rainbow Project is astounded by the further homophobic comments made last week by Iris Robinson; this time in the House of Commons during a debate on the assessment and management of sex offenders. To liken anyone to a child abuser is beyond contempt. To make a correlation between an informed consensual act between two adults and the horrors of abuse that are perpetrated against children is vile, cruel and hate-filled. For the author of such comments to then describe this sustained campaign of anti-gay propaganda as ' a loving Christian act ' defies all logic.

But what is Iris Robinson's agenda and why does she continue spouting her blatantly misguided and hate-filled statements? Despite seeing the clear evidence of the damage and hurt which her comments cause, Mrs Robinson continues to attack a vulnerable group which makes up between six to ten per cent of the population according to the latest UK Treasury estimates. Six to ten per cent of the population and their family and friends who also will be affected by her actions.

Her behaviour is then further compounded by her claims that it is Christianity that is under attack. Over 10,000 people have signed a petition condemning the hate filled words of Iris Robinson. Christian groups and individuals have contacted The Rainbow Project from all over the world to distance themselves from her comments. Closer to home political and religious leaders have publicly condemned the blatant homophobia and spoken about the levels of crime and harassment that the gay community faces here. This misguided politician does not speak for Christianity, rather only for a narrow band of extremists. If further evidence was needed that Mrs Robinsonʼs role as Chair of the Assemblyʼs Health Commission is untenable; well here it is!

The comments made in Parliament by Iris Robinson, which claim that gay people are 'viler' than child abusers, is likely to further expose members of the gay community to violence, abuse and harassment. The thugs that perpetrate hate will readily lap up whatever encouragement that they can find. It does not take much to inspire the misguided to violence; and the hatred spouted by some will add more fuel to the fires of prejudice and bigotry. Ms Robinson is playing with peopleʼs lives; we hope and pray that the end result is not more prejudice, blighted lives or even bloodshed