Man suing Iris Robinson over her comments on gays
Thursday, 12 June 2008
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A 23-year-old west Belfast man is taking legal action against Iris Robinson over her controversial comments on homosexuality.
Robert Toner from Poleglass has also written to the Equality Commission asking them to back his complaint over the first lady's anti-gay remarks.
Last week Mrs Robinson, a DUP MP, MLA and chair of the Assembly's Health Committee, sparked outrage when she described homosexuality as an " abomination" and said gays needed psychiatric help to be "turned around".
Mr Toner, who came out five years ago, believes his human rights have been breached. He has lodged a formal complaint with police and enlisted the help of solicitor Kevin Winters to pursue a legal challenge.
Mr Toner, a gay rights activist who has suffered homophobic abuse, said he was "worried" about the effect Mrs Robinson's comments could have on the wider community.
Last night he told the Belfast Telegraph: "It is very, very hurtful to think that someone says I need psychiatric help because I am gay. It is totally uncalled for, it is totally horrendous that a public representative has said this.
"I have done two things. Firstly, I have made a submission to the Equality Commission — I have sent a letter asking them to back our complaint. And my solicitor is also looking into a possible breach of the Public Order Act — article 9 — which deals with threatening behaviour and insulting words.
"She condemned the gay-bashing attack on a man in Newtownabbey, but then used the attack on him as a tactic to browbeat homosexuality — I find that very worrying.
"I come from west Belfast where the number of suicides is very high — a number of those suicides could be because of issues with sexuality."
In 2005 Mr Toner successfully challenged Lisburn City Council after it banned same sex marriages from the civic centre wedding room.
"The majority of members of the gay community have been very welcoming to the fact I am taking legal action. And the heterosexual community welcomed it too. Most people agree that something needs to be done about Iris. I am confident that with the support of the Equality Commission we are going to win this.
"I am quite happy to take Iris on in the fight."
Yesterday it emerged that hundreds of people have signed a petition calling for the Prime Minister to reprimand Mrs Robinson. The online petition, open until August 9, will be delivered to Gordon Brown at Downing Street.
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I am shocked at the words of Iris Robinson, Who gives her the right to speak for homosexuals. I am very proud that Robert is taking on his fight and GOd Bless him for it,,he makes me proud to be an out lesbian.a well balanced mother of 3 grown proffessional kids, they want to tell Robert to keep up his good work as equality is a must for all.
love you Robert
Norah Glasgow
Posted by Norah | 02.08.08, 22:41 GMT
So many young people kill themselves because they cannot cope with being gay. These kids need support, not condemnation. Just as gay people who feel like they have no one to turn to are offered comfort when their favourite stars come out, so those who are very close to the edge may take the ultimate step upon hearing comments from this woman. We are taught that Jesus was sent to save us. Has anyone stopped to think of how many deaths, inadvertently or not, bigots cause.
Posted by David Bret | 02.08.08, 17:13 GMT
she should be dismissed from her job! in fact i think every gay person who takes offence to what she said should take legal action! suing her for all she is worth and then putting the money gained into the pride fund! this would be the best punishment for her!
Posted by ProudofPride | 27.07.08, 16:05 GMT
Go Robert!
Get rid of this bigot & her hateful, archaic (unproveable) beliefs!
This is a world where *equality* is paramount. There's no room for dinosaurs like her in power.
Posted by jacob | 21.07.08, 17:14 GMT
As a Christian who believes the Bible to be the inspired word of God, I agree with Mrs Robinson's right to express her opinion. She is saying what is in the Bible. Leviticus is not the only scripture dealing homosexuality, just because it has been made legal by a government does not necessarily make it right.
I believe abortion to be wrong, but it is still legal to obtain one within the UK. Whether it is or not I would still defend my right and the rights of others Muslim,Christian,of any religion to express their beliefs.
As Mrs Robinson said God wants to forgive everyone and bring them into His Kingdom, which is why Jesus came to earth to die, so we could have eternal life. He also told His followers to preach the good news and make disciples (other followers). Sex outside of heterosexual marriage in any context is condemed in the Bible.
The right to express our beliefs is fundamental in a free society. It does not mean we are homophobic we still care about individuals.
Posted by F. A. Edwards | 21.07.08, 12:45 GMT