Madam, - I would like to commend you on your weekly Health Supplement and in particular the Mind Moves feature, which deals with a range of mental health issues in an accessible, sensible and sensitive manner.
It was with great interest that I read Marie Murray's recent articles (July 20th and 27th) on gay and lesbian issues. I welcome her willingness to address this topic and would like to add to her discussion.
Since the 1960s, the international gay rights movement has sought the emancipation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. In Ireland, progress has been achieved in this regard. However, Irish LGBT people continue to live in a world which is socially constructed around the heterosexual model of sexuality, family, love and society. As a result Irish LGBT identities and lives are still constrained by inequalities, discrimination, exclusion and heterosexism.
True social justice for Irish LGBT people remains elusive.
Civil partnerships, adoption rights, taxation parity and birth certificate amendment post gender reassignment are just a few of the outstanding inequalities LGBT people are faced with in Ireland today.
As an out and proud gay man, I wish to state for the record that I was not born to be a sad and lonely person, destined for unhappiness. However, prejudice and socially constructed heterosexist realities, which impacted negatively on my identity and life, did indeed cause heartache and pain. But now I know that "gay is good" and try to live my life accordingly.
I would like to make two criticisms of Marie Murray's articles. Firstly, I felt her description of parents' reactions to a son or daughter coming out was too negative and excluded neutral or positive reactions. Increasingly, Irish LGBT people receive accepting and supportive responses from family, friends and colleagues when they come out.
Secondly, I felt some of the language she used tends to reinforce stereotypes and misperception of LBGT people. In particular, her references to "vociferous vocalisations of the 'gay' position", "debaucherous, flamboyant and hazardous lifestyle" and "a gay partner lurking in the background who may be intimate in some aberrant way" are all potentially offensive to LGBT readers.
I understand that such comments give voice to the concerns of some parents but they do so in a way that casts an oppressive shadow on the lived experience of LGBT. - Yours, etc.,
ODHRÁN ALLEN, Adelaide Square, Whitefriar Street, Dublin 8.