Well, last week was a lot of fun. I had 1001 hits on the website and got my (heavily edited) letter in the Sunday Times, as well appearing on Matt Cooper’s show on Thursday with Brenda Power (audio here – mp3, 5.3mb). I read Brenda’s second opinion piece and don’t think I’ll comment on it further than what I’ve already Tweeted – It’s an opinion piece that is not based in fact and she appears to have some sort of obsession with the idea that marriage is purely for reproductive purposes. As I said:
“To have and to hold, is sickness and in health, til you die from exhaustion having given birth to 8 children.”
The past week and Damien’s post got me thinking – we need a louder voice of children of LGBT couples in Ireland. So, here we go. If you are the son or daughter of a LGBT couple and would like to maybe do a joint blog, with the chance of radio, TV, newspaper, blog interviews (depending on how comfortable you would be with them) please e-mail conorpendergrast@gmail.com, or add me on Twitter and DM me. Or sure just leave a comment here 
Inevitably there’ll be cases after the Civil Partnership Bill is brought in that highlight the massive problems with neglecting children in legislation. This’ll be our chance to stand up for our own rights and demonstrate how lesbian and gay parents are equally capable of raising well-adjusted and emotionally and socially stable individuals. Here’s the American Psychological Association’s policy on sexual orientation and parenting (And no Brenda, it’s not a single study. You can find similar policies but children’s groups across the US, but because of the relative rarity of cases in Ireland and even the UK, there are fewer studies here).
July 15, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Would love to help but sadly my parents are of opposite sex. Will tweet it to my diverse community though Conor. Good luck! xx
July 17, 2009 at 1:49 am
I heard you on TodayFM Conor, and I wanted to say I think you spoke very well and you put your points across bravely and intelligently . Brenda Power came across like a hysterical, homophobic Nut Job ( I’m not saying that’s what she is of course, but I suppose, if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck and lives in a pond , then it’s most likely a duck and not an antelope).
Brenda Power needs to get her head out of the sand, she has clearly no comprehension of homosexuality or what the Pride Parade is all about. She also seems to be completely misinformed on the issues raised on the Radio Show.
I myself, am a gay man, but I am also of the opinion that sexuality is a very fluid thing, it is not fixed, a large number of people are bi-sexual to some degree, myself included. Brenda seems to think that “sexuality” is some kind of social deviance and that anything which is different from exclusive heterosexuality is some kind of perversion. She is completely ignorant and her performance on Today FM only served to compound and expose her ignorance further.
It amuses me when I hear of bible-thumping conservatives like Power speak of marriage as if it is some kind of pure and divine state that people automatically walk into when they take their vows. I was not raised by a homosexual couple, but the heterosexual mother and father I was lumbered with growing up were far from functional and even further than “normal”. My father was an alcoholic and completely irresponsible and my mother wasn’t much better. They separated when I was in my teens , and the psychological warfare myself and my siblings were subjected to was pretty heavy growing up. I have many friends who have had crap upbringings from married heterosexual parents too, Brenda Power seems to miss the fact that if a child is wanted, loved and taken care of in a supportive, loving and secure environment , that’s the most important thing. Sexuality does not come into it, It boils down to individual character and good parenting,
I wonder what Brenda will do , if one day in the future , one of her five children grows up to become gay? …
Will she spit venom, anger and rage or will she learn to be tolerant, humble and open?…
July 17, 2009 at 5:42 am
[...] Sons and Daughters. An Irish blog for kids of samesex parents, perhaps. [...]
July 17, 2009 at 8:56 am
Hiya Redz,
Re: Sexuality, I would be more of the opinion that it is a fixed aspect of someone’s life, assuming that they have actually realised what there true sexuality is of course! There has been some evidence of a biological predisposition to being gay, so maybe this is what informs my opinion, but I can’t say anything for definite yet.
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with your points about parenting; it really comes down to who the parents are, not what sexuality and gender they are. Gay people in Ireland should be allowed equal opportunity to prove themselves as good parents (they already have in other countries such as the US).
I suppose there are two way Brenda could go if one of her children is gay, in the same way as any Irish Catholic mother; either shame and isolation from the family or acceptance and love. It’s just a shame that sexuality seems so character-defining for some people.