My Mazamet

Life at № 42 by E.M. Coutinho

A victory for secularism and a lesson to the world

“That generosity the Yes Equality campaign was depending on came through. The decency of the Irish people was not limited to the liberal leafy suburbs of Dublin, nor the solidarity from the flats, but that decency came from the cliffs of Donegal, the lakes of Cavan, the farmyards of Kildare, the lanes of Kerry.”Una Mullally for the Irish Times.

Ireland: douze points; Religious extremists: nul points. Could it possibly have been more appropriate that the referendum results are on the same day as the Eurovision song contest?

I believe this is a changing point, not just for Ireland, but for the civilized world. And so here’s an utterly superb speech by one of Ireland’s foremost campaigners on lgbt rights, if you have a little time do watch it because what she says doesn’t just apply to gays. It applies to sexism, it applies to racism, it applies to every ideology designed to marginalize people in society.

31 comments on “A victory for secularism and a lesson to the world

  1. john zande
    May 23, 2015

    Applause. If Ireland can be moved toward rationality…

    Like

  2. Arkenaten
    May 23, 2015

    Brilliant! Quite moving.

    Like

    • Mr. Merveilleux
      May 23, 2015

      Indeed. The world seems to be finally seeing through the scapegoating and hatemongering.

      Like

      • Arkenaten
        May 23, 2015

        Yeah. We only have one life and it’s so damn short.

        Like

  3. davidprosser
    May 23, 2015

    Common sense and decency prevailed.I hope the Catholic Church in Ireland and in Rome both note that one of their strongholds is making changes against their policy and if they see the way the wind is blowing will start to make some changes themselves.Shutting down comes to mind but that’s too much to hope for.
    Hugs

    Liked by 2 people

  4. inspiredbythedivine1
    May 23, 2015

    Terrific speech, and 200 more points for that awesome name: Panti! LOVE it!

    Liked by 2 people

  5. Pingback: Rejoice! Ireland votes YES! | BEGUILING HOLLYWOOD

  6. Clare Flourish
    May 23, 2015

    So yesterday I was with Three Studies for the base of a Crucifixion by Francis Bacon, and I had an epiphany. In 1947 he was Out when that was extremely dangerous, probably before he heard the word “gay”, and I thought, those creatures are self-portraits. They are he, and they are I. They are screaming, ugly, blind, tortured, and they are unashamed. They are there, and they do not cower away. And from finding the painting ugly and weird, I find it completely beautiful.

    Everyone is cis-sexist too. Even me.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Mr. Merveilleux
      May 23, 2015

      Of course we are. I know because I’m the perfect embodiment of that. I’m one of the people who ‘checks themselves.’ Always have and it’s hard to let go of. The desire to “pass” isn’t exclusive to the trans community 😉
      I have made some progress over the years, and days like this mean I’ll make a bit more- but hopefully what it really means is that the next generations won’t have to deal with it as we did.

      Like

  7. Pingback: The Irish Referendum and Panti | Meeka's Mind

  8. acflory
    May 24, 2015

    Thanks Pinky. This was amazing, and it made me think. Shared the video clip https://acflory.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=7908&action=edit&postpost=v2

    Like

  9. karenjane369
    May 24, 2015

    A Very Happy Day 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Mr. Merveilleux
      May 24, 2015

      Indeed, my dear. Where have you been? What have you been doing? Cornwall again?

      Like

      • karenjane369
        May 25, 2015

        Not Cornwall…(not until October), been trying to catch up on ‘stuff’ in the house, as I’ve been spending too long on the computer.

        Like

  10. roughseasinthemed
    May 25, 2015

    I hate watching any video longer than thirty seconds. Short attention span. I would rather read the Council of Trent. In Spanish! No don’t send me the link. But I persevered. Only for you though.

    He reminds me very much of another Irish drag queen, Danny La Rue, who I saw when I was a kid with my rather sexist homophobic parents. My mother liked him, my father wasn’t so keen. He was very polished though, exactly like Panti. Full house as well. Performed a lot in Spain as I remember.

    You are exactly right about inserting any other minority group in that speech.

    I can not be told what determines sexism, or feminism.

    By defining sexism, I am victimising others. I am guilty of sexism. Our best pal IB is trotting this out endlessly. I am victimising myself by attempting to claim any sort of equality. Etc etc boring etc. I don’t know what I am talking about is usually the nail in my sad self-victimised coffin.

    It was a good result. I’d like to have seen it higher but 60:40 (approx) is good enough. Let’s hope it sends strong messages.

    Like

    • Mr. Merveilleux
      May 25, 2015

      Ah well, then you’ll probably be pleased to know it was you, before Panti, who introduced me to the concept.
      You gave/wrote your own version of that speech concerning my use of the word bimbette. And I fought you, and I was furious, but as I calmed myself down I tried formulating a reasonable response and I just could not do it. There is no reasonable response. You were right, I was wrong- so there.

      Like

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This entry was posted on May 23, 2015 by in life, Uncategorized and tagged , , , , , , , .