Iris slammed for offering gay ‘cure’
Saturday, 7 June 2008
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Northern Ireland's first lady was last night at the centre of a new row after she said gay people needed psychiatric help.
DUP MLA and MP Iris Robinson sparked outrage among the homosexual community with the claim that gays and lesbians could be "turned around".
The Coalition on Sexual Orientation has angrily condemned Mrs Robinson's remarks and the Royal College of Psychiatrists refuted her claims.
Last week Mrs Robinson, a born again Christian, caused controversy when she described homosexuality as an "abomination" and yesterday she added further fuel to the fire with the offer of psychological assistance for gays.
She said: "I have a very lovely psychiatrist who works with me in my offices and his Christian background is that he tries to help homosexuals — trying to turn away from what they are engaged in.
"I'm happy to put any homosexual in touch with this gentleman and I have met people who have turned around and become heterosexuals. They are married and are having families. It does work."
Her comments come during a debate on the Stephen Nolan show on Radio Ulster which followed a homophobic attack on a man.
Stephen Scott (27) suffered head and leg injuries, fractured ribs and a broken wrist after he was kicked and punched by three youths while walking home in Newtownabbey on Wednesday night. Mrs Robinson condemned the brutal assault and strongly denied that her "abomination" remark could have in any way incited violence.
She added: "My Christian beliefs teach me that you love the sinner but hate the sin. But homosexuality is something that is an abomination.
"I stand up for moral issues and I will not be gagged because someone gets attacked. I condemn it wholeheartedly but that doesn't mean I don't have rights as a Christian to express my views."
Mairead McCafferty and James Knox, who co-chair the Coalition on Sexual Orientation, condemned the comments.
They said: "We are deeply concerned at these comments. We believe that the comments are at best damaging and at worst dangerous. Furthermore, they are completely unacceptable — indeed an abomination — in pursuance of an inclusive society based on values of dignity, respect and equality."
The Royal College of Psychiatrists also refuted Mrs Robinson's claims that being gay is a mental illness.
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So what? She said something people don't agree with. Get over it. People say stuff all the time that I don't agree with but I don't whine and throw a hissy fit. I just ignore them like a rational mature grownup. If people would quit complaining because they heard something that offended them maybe they do need a psychiatrist. If people want peace and harmony then live and let live. You don't have to agree with someone's choices in how they live their lives. Just leave them alone. But also if someone disagrees quit calling them intolerant and hateful. A person doesn't have to agree or celebrate another's choices. They can disagree and not feel hatred. Tolerance means putting up with. NOT condoning. It's a no brainer. Live in harmony by allowing people to live their lives in peace. Despite your differences. That goes for EVERYBODY.
Posted by Edmund | 24.07.08, 20:11 GMT
iris robinson is not even acknowledge the fact that man was attack!! if it had of been a woman or a pensioner she would be up in armer give her so called christian opinion on the youth of to! this man has done nothing wrong and he didnt deserve to be attacked no one has the right to hrt anyone else it is illegal. so the topic should not be that she feels the homosexuality is a sin but how they are going to crack down on the youth of today bein voilent and cause harm to others. am a 21 year old girl my brother is gay and i have had a abortion. am my attitude to iris is that her opinion means every little to me she is small minded and even god it sick of listen to her soap box sallt routine she needs to shout her mouth and openh her eyes and take a good look around her as there are more important issue in day to day live than sexuality.
Posted by rachel | 20.07.08, 17:09 GMT