We’re serious fans of Panti’s trouble making here at rabble. Blinder Films (The Pervert’s Guide To Ideology, Citadel etc…) are putting together a documentary about the person behind the public figure and they need you to fund it. A press release that landed in our inbox this morning gave an outline of what’s planned: “The film builds an in-depth picture of a complex and compelling character through behind-the-scenes footage, archive, music and interviews … Read More
Lesbian Exorcism
Some say the Divil is dead and buried in Killarney. The Pope is receiving adulation from the International Association of Exorcists for reviving the war on demons. At a conference last week in the Vatican, two hundred exorcist delegates (who function mainly in South American and Eastern Europe, which are plainly more susceptible to demons than the rest of the world…) met to talk about how Satanic cults are spreading like … Read More
The Iona Mind
Are we living in an Ireland of two halves? One looking towards a future of equal rights for all, free from the clutches of a church bathed in controversy, the other with more of a medieval take on things: anti-women, anti-LGBT, anti-choice. Oireachtas Retort investigates the proportions and finds that it appears to be the minority making the most noise. It would be easy to think of the Iona … Read More
David Quinn’s Short Memory
It has been two months since Michelle Hennessy at The Journal started reporting on sex, lies and sellotape. At this stage we almost have the full set with Youth Defence caught claiming ‘women have a way of shutting it down’, the Precious Life ‘Guide to Sex’ and more recently Prolife Campaign are in on the act with ‘Lifeworks’ and Ronan Mullen promising “accurate, balanced and reliable information on pregnancy, adoption, … Read More
Batshit Hits The Fan.
Most rabble readers will be aware of the Burke family of Westport by now. Quoting Leviticus and mansplaining to NUIG’s female undergraduates while demanding removal of rights for LGBT, minorities and women worldwide. Well it turns out that even the Christian Union doesn’t want them, never mind the Students’ Union. While the Westport Batshit Church, as they’ve been nicknamed, have released a statement demanding the cancellation of the referendum on … Read More
A Warning To NUIG Students.
NUIG students are going to the polls again this week. Enoch Burke a prominent anti-gay campaigner is conflating paedophilia with homosexuality AND standing for Equality Officer. Last week rabble covered the attempts by Ireland’s Phelps family and assorted bigots to shut down NUIG Students Union support for Womens’ Rights and Palestinian Human Rights. Now the same family are back, running for office and campaigning against Gay Rights. Enoch Burke (pictured top) … Read More
That Would Be An Ecumenical Matter
In Italian newspaper, Corriere Della Sera, the Pope spoke on matters such as civil union, women in the church and contraception. Some commentators are pointing specifically to his words on civil unions as they mark a move in the church’s stance. The following transcript shows he considers each topic is worth ‘evaluating’, consulting experts on and taking into account people’s situations. While this may all sound a bit like Fr.Jack … Read More
Ireland’s Phelps Family And NUIG
The referenda in NUIG on Choice and the Academic Boycott of Apartheid Israel are being opposed by a disturbing family from Castlebar. The Burkes are seasoned campaigners outside the Dáil, opposing gay rights with placards quoting Leviticus and conflating medical statistics on HIV to ‘prove’ homosexuals invented AIDS. Kathy Sheridan in the Irish Times of July 10th 2010 (behind paywall) featured the Burkes and their kids in a story … Read More
Pussy Riot Whipped At Winter Olympics
Members of the group Pussy Riot were attacked by police as they began an impromptu performance at Sochi today. The group were preparing a performance under an Olympic sign when the security (Cossack police) pounced, spraying them with some kind of pepper-spray, beating them with whips and assaulting them. The police also attacked photographers on the scene. The lack of human rights in Russia hasn’t affected the corporate circus that … Read More
From Russia Without Love
Human Rights Watch has released an online video documenting the normalisation of violence against LGBT people in Russia. Russians are living with new laws that criminalise the ‘propagandising’ of homosexuality. According to Human Rights Watch there is a deteriorating situation of widespread and concerted abuse against LGBT people and activists. They report that the authorities’ failure to act and some officials’ homophobic comments expose LGBT people to further harassment and violence and … Read More