TRAILER: Ireland's Young Warriors

Clip recap:

Earlier this year, VICE News filmed with a republican youth movement in Ireland called Na Fianna Éireann (“Warriors of Ireland” in English), a small group of around 30 boys considered to be hardline dissidents. They support a violent IRA splinter group known as the Continuity IRA, and believe that a renewed armed struggle is needed to free Ireland from British occupation in the North. Considered “junior terrorists” by some, the Na Fianna sees itself simply as Ireland’s true republican boy scouts, training with the main aim of being ready for a new resistance — a fight that they believe is inevitable.

NORTHERN IRELAND: Same-Sex Marriage Ban To Be Challenged In Court

Via the Belfast Telegraph:

The first two gay couples to enter into civil partnerships in the UK will this week mount a High Court challenge to Northern Ireland's same-sex marriage ban, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal. Grainne Close and Shannon Sickles will be joined by Chris and Henry Flanagan-Kane to seek a judicial review of the ban. Both couples cemented their relationships in civil partnerships a decade ago in Belfast City Hall. But while Northern Ireland was the first place in the UK to recognise civil partnerships, it is now the only part of the UK and Ireland that has not legalised same-sex marriage. "We are unable to enter into a marriage solely because we live in Northern Ireland," Ms Close stated. In a Facebook post, Ms Close wrote: "This year, December 19th, 2015 Shannon and I, along with Chris and Henry Flanagan-Kane, will celebrate 10 years of our civil partnerships. "Northern Ireland was the first place in the UK to recognise civil partnership legislation and is now the last place in the UK and Ireland to recognise equal marriage.

Northern Ireland's legislature has refused to consider same-sex marriage four times, most recently in late April. Two weeks ago over 20,000 marched in Belfast to demand marriage equality.

BELFAST: 20,000 March For Marriage

An estimated crowd of 20,000 marched on Belfast City Hall today to demand same-sex marriage. Via the Guardian:

Northern Ireland has been left behind in the struggle for gay equality, the Irish trade union movement said on Saturday, as thousands marched in Belfast to call for the recognition of same-sex marriage. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) pointed out that the province once led the way in terms of rights for same-sex partners. “In 2005, history was made when Northern Ireland became the first place in the UK to hold a civil partnership. Ten years later, with every other part of these islands recognising marriage equality, citizens in Northern Ireland have effectively been left behind,” the ICTU said. The demonstration through central Belfast to city hall was part of a campaign by local gay rights organisations and human rights groups for the province’s law to be changed. Among those marching was Snow Patrol’s lead singer, Gary Lightbody. Amnesty International said the region was now the “last bastion of discrimination against gay people in these islands”.

More from the Independent:

The crowd, organised by Amnesty International, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Rainbow Project, said they want parity with the rest of the UK and Ireland in permitting civil marriage for gay couples. Addressing the rally, Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International's Northern Ireland programme director, said: "Isn't this the most beautiful march and rally Belfast has ever seen? A march about love. "We are all here today because of a simple idea: all people are equal. The state should treat all people equally." The Northern Ireland Assembly has rejected a proposal calling for the introduction of gay marriage after debating the issue for a fourth time. Sinn Fein said equality rights for same-sex couples must be shared by citizens in the north and it will continue to campaign for the reform. Other high profile supporters of the campaign include singer Brian Kennedy and Olympic boxer Paddy Barnes. Singer Bronagh Gallagher, supported by Quire, Belfast's LGBT choir, performed at the Belfast City Hall rally, which followed the march from the Ulster University on York Street.

Huge Sinn Féin turnout at the #MarriageEquality rally in Belfast. pic.twitter.com/K7Mk6vfck9

— Sinn Féin LGBT (@sinnfeinlgbt) June 13, 2015

Patrick Stewart Clarifies Remarks On Northern Ireland's Anti-Gay Bakery

"As part of my advocacy for Amnesty International, I gave an interview on a number of subjects related to human rights, civil rights and freedom of speech. During the interview, I was asked about the Irish bakers who refused to put a message on a cake which supported marriage equality, because of their beliefs. In my view, this particular matter was not about discrimination, but rather personal freedoms and what constitutes them, including the freedom to object. Both equality and freedom of speech are fundamental rights— and this case underscores how we need to ensure one isn’t compromised in the pursuit of the other. I know many disagree with my sentiments, including the courts. I respect and understand their position, especially in this important climate where the tides of prejudices and inequality are (thankfully) turning. What I cannot respect is that some have conflated my position on this single matter to assume I’m anti-equality or that I share the personal beliefs of the bakers. Nothing, absolutely nothing, could be further from the truth. I have long championed the rights of the LGBT community, because equality should not only be, as the people of Ireland powerfully showed the world, universally embraced, but treasured." - Patrick Stewart, posting on his Facebook page.

Patrick Stewart Backs Anti-Gay Bakery In Northern Ireland: I Feel Bad For Them

Via the Independent:

Patrick Stewart has weighed into the 'gay cake' debate, saying that he supports the right of the Christian bakers to refuse to ice messages they find offensive. Ashers Bakery lost a court case after refusing to make a cake with the words "support gay marriage" above a picture of Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street. Talking on Newsnight, the actor said: "Finally, I found myself on the side of the bakers." Stewart argued that nobody should be forced to write specific text that they disagreed with. "It was not because it was a gay couple that they objected, it was not because they were celebrating some sort of marriage or an agreement between them," said Stewart. "It was the actual words on the cake they objected to. Because they found the words offensive." He continued: "I would support their rights to say no, this is personally offensive to my beliefs, I will not do it."

Belfast City Council: Yes To Marriage

Via the BBC:

Belfast City Council has voted in favour of same-sex marriage at a meeting on Monday. A total of 38 councillors voted for, 13 voted against and there were two abstentions, so the motion was carried. It had been moved by Alliance councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown. Councillors from Sinn Féin, the SDLP, Green Party, PUP, People Before Profit and Alliance spoke in support of the motion. All the Sinn Fein and Alliance councillors voted in favour, all but two of the SDLP councillors joined them, as well as the PUP, Gerry Carroll, People Before Profit Alliance, and the Green Party. All but three Ulster Unionists also voted for the motion. Three UU members voted against and they were joined by all of the DUP councillors. Two SDLP councillors abstained from the vote.

In April the Northern Ireland Assembly narrowly rejected a proposal to introduce a same-sex marriage bill in a 49-47 vote. Same-sex marriage laws went into effect in England and Wales in March 2014 and in Scotland in December 2014.

Freep This Northern Ireland Poll

Right here. (Tipped by JMG reader Nick)

NORTHERN IRELAND: Anti-Gay Bakery Found Guilty Of Discrimination

Not the best timing for Friday's referendum in the south. Via the Independent:

A Christian-owned bakery which refused to make a cake carrying a pro-gay marriage slogan has been found guilty of discrimination after a landmark legal action. The Northern Ireland Equality Commission brought the case against Ashers Baking Company on behalf of Gareth Lee, the gay rights activist whose order was declined. Giving her ruling at Belfast County Court today district judge Isobel Brownlie said: "The defendants have unlawfully discriminated against the plaintiff on grounds of sexual discrimination. "This is direct discrimination for which there can be no justification." Mr Lee, a member of the LGBT advocacy group Queer Space, had wanted a cake featuring Sesame Street puppets Bert and Ernie with the slogan Support Gay Marriage for a private function marking International Anti Homophobia Day. The high profile legal case, which divided public opinion in Belfast and beyond, was heard over three days in March.

More from the BBC:

John O'Doherty, of gay rights group the Rainbow Project, said: "While sympathetic as some may be to the position in which the company finds itself, this does not change the facts of the case. "The judge clearly articulated that this is direct discrimination for which there can be no justification." However DUP MLA Paul Givan, who has proposed that lawmakers in the Northern Ireland Assembly introduce a "conscience clause" as a result of the Ashers case, said many Christians would view the ruling as "an attack" on their religious convictions. "What we cannot have is a hierarchy of rights, and today there's a clear hierarchy being established that gay rights are more important than the rights of people to hold religious beliefs," Mr Givan added. Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister said it was "a dark day for justice and religious freedom in Northern Ireland".

(Tipped by JMG reader Gerard)

NORTHERN IRELAND: Candidate Makes Audience Howl Over Child Abuse Claims

Via Pink News:

A parliamentary candidate in Northern Ireland has claimed to have “proof” that gay people are 40 times more likely to abuse children than the general population. Susan Anne White, who is standing in West Tyrone in Northern Ireland, last week unveiled her “biblically correct” manifesto. Speaking at an election debate in Omagh on Tuesday, White defended former DUP Health Minister Jim Wells, who resigned earlier this week after claiming that children of gay parents are “more likely” to be abused. At the debate, White said: “In the main, what Jim Wells said was correct and I can prove it. “Are you interested in the truth? Is anybody interested in the truth?” After being booed, White continued: “Studies have shown that homosexuals are 40 times more likely than the general populace to abuse children”, and a fellow candidate placed his head in his hands. Naming three individual cases of child abuse by gay people, White was then asked by the host whether she had Googled straight abuse, White said: “The question we are discussing at the moment is not about heterosexual abuse.

NORTHERN IRELAND: Assembly Narrowly Rejects Same-Sex Marriage Bill

Via the Irish Times:

The Northern Assembly has again voted to reject legalising same sex marriage. The Democratic Unionist Party had used its numbers to block the Sinn Féin motion on Monday evening through a vetoing mechanism called a petition of concern. In the end however the petition was not required as the Sinn Féin motion was defeated by a simple majority of 49 votes to 47.

All 37 Sinn Féin and SDLP members present voted for the motion while four unionists and six Assembly members designated as “other” also voted in favour. All DUP members and all but one of the Ulster Unionists present voted against the motion including First Minister and DUP leader Peter Robinson and Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt.

The only UUP member to support the motion was South Antrim Westminster candidate Danny Kinahan. Independent unionist Claire Sugden from the East Derry constituency and two MLAs associated with the NI21 party, Basil McCrea and John McCallister voted in favour. This is the fourth time in two-and-a-half years that Sinn Féin motions on same sex marriage have been defeated. In the last vote in April last year two Alliance MLAs Judith Cochrane and Trevor Lunn voted against the motion. This time they abstained along with Alliance colleague Kieran McCarthy.

Sinn Fein is supporting marriage equality "north and south."

RELATED: The debate over the bill involved an anti-gay scandal.

The controversy surrounding Northern Ireland's DUP health minister, Jim Wells, featured heavily in the debate. The health minster issued a public apology on Friday, after he was recorded on camera making comments linking gay relationships and child abuse. Mr Wells then announced his resignation on Monday, after it was confirmed that police are also investigating an incident involving a lesbian couple during a door-to-door election canvas by Mr Wells in County Down. It is alleged that he called at the couple's house, and during a conversation was critical of their lifestyle. He is due to step down on 11 May to spend more time with his seriously ill wife, but Sinn Féin said his resignation should take immediate effect. Sinn Féin's Catriona Ruane expressed sympathy over his wife's illness but said he should have resigned immediately after linking child abuse to gay parents.

NORTHERN IRELAND: Trial Begins For Baker In Marriage Cake Case

Via the Belfast Telegraph:

A legal case involving a Christian baker who refused to make a cake bearing a pro-gay marriage slogan cannot be determined on which side shouts loudest, a court in Belfast has been told. Northern Ireland's Equality Commission is bringing the case against family-run Ashers Bakery on behalf of gay rights activist Gareth Lee, whose order was declined. Belfast-based Ashers, which is owned by the McArthur family, refused to make a cake with an image of Sesame Street puppets Bert and Ernie below the motto "Support Gay Marriage". Opening the case, Robin Allen QC, representing Mr Lee, noted the publicity around the case and highlighted that politicians, church figures, bloggers and others had expressed opinions on the matter. But the barrister insisted the case must be judged on the facts alone. "Law must not be determined by those who shout loudest," he said. Mr. Allen said he was not in court to challenge the McArthur family's faith. "This is a case about commerce and discrimination," he said.

Outside the courthouse, the baker (photo above) told the press: "We just didn't want to be forced to use our creative skills to help endorse and promote a campaign message that went against our sincerely held religious beliefs. We are just trying to be faithful to the Bible." (I wonder where they came up with "sincerely held religious beliefs.") The cake flap has prompted the Democratic Unionists party to propose a "conscience clause" bill that would allow businesses to reject LGBT customers. Sinn Fein has vowed to block that bill. The anti-gay Christian Institute is pushing a similar bill in England. The BBC is tweeting from the courthouse and live updates are being added to the above-linked story.

RELATED: Northern Ireland remains the United Kingdom's holdout on same-sex marriage and observers believe this case may further slow the cause.

NORTHERN IRELAND: Thousands Rally In Support Of Anti-Gay Bakery

Via the Belfast Telegraph:

Hundreds of people including three senior DUP politicians had to be refused entry to a full-to-capacity Waterfront Hall in Belfast last night as thousands of Christians turned up for a rally in support of the Newtownabbey bakery firm which is going to court to defend their refusal to bake a cake for a gay activist. Former ministers Sammy Wilson and Edwin Poots joined the current Social Development Minister Mervyn Storey in a crowd which sang hymns outside the Waterfront as inside, Daniel McArthur, the manager of the Ashers Baking Company, vowed that he and his family would not back down in the dispute over his family's decision to cancel an order for a cake because of a request for it to be decorated with a slogan supporting gay marriage. Officials from the Christian Institute, who are supporting the McArthur family's legal action at Belfast County Court, had to close the hall before the rally was due to start because all seats were taken. Deputy director Simon Calvert apologised to the hundreds of people who were refused admission and there were cheers as he explained that the support had overwhelmed the hall's limits.

The bakery had been asked to make a cake featuring Sesame Street characters Bert and Ernie with the message "Support Gay Marriage." The court case opens today and the bakery is being represented by the anti-gay Christian Institute, which has been pushing for a "conscience clause" bill similar to the the "license to discriminate" bills seen in the United States. Among last night's speakers was British bed and breakfast owner Hazelmary Bull, who fought and lost a years-long court battle after being fined for turning away a gay couple. Television cameras were not permitted inside the hall.

NORTHERN IRELAND: Marriage Suit Filed

Via Buzzfeed:

A same-sex couple in Northern Ireland have launched a long-awaited legal challenge to the region’s continued ban on same-sex marriage in a move that could bring marriage equality to the whole of the UK. The pair have filed a case in Belfast’s High Court, where they will argue that the continued ban on same-sex marriage breaches human rights law. England, Wales, and Scotland began allowing same-sex marriages last year, leaving Northern Ireland as the only part of the UK where they remain illegal and unrecognised. The couple, who are bringing the case anonymously, currently reside in Northern Ireland but were married in England last year. Despite being legally married in one part of the UK, in the eyes of Northern Irish law they are only considered to have a civil partnership.

RELATED: Ireland's national referendum on marriage will take place in May. The government is backing the "yes" side and easy passage is expected.

NORTHERN IRELAND: Sinn Fein Calls For Referendum On Reuniting Ireland

Hot on the heels of Scotland's rejection of independence from the United Kingdom, Sinn Fein is calling for a referendum on reuniting Northern Ireland with Ireland. Via Reuters:

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said Scotland's "inspiring" referendum on independence would accelerate a vote to unite Ireland, a prospect quickly dismissed by Unionists who share power in Northern Ireland. Scotland spurned independence in a historic vote that threatened to rip the United Kingdom apart but an electrifying campaign has emboldened separatist movements across Europe from Catalonia to Flanders. Predominantly Catholic Nationalists in Northern Ireland, who remained part of United Kingdom in a northern province dominated by Protestants after the Irish state secured independence from Britain in 1921, maintained a studied silence in recent weeks. Although the pro-British Protestants still make up a majority of the Northern Irish population, Nationalist leader Adams intensified his push for a border poll – which is allowed no more than once every seven years under the 1998 Good Friday Agreement peace deal. Sinn Fein has argued that under the terms of the agreement, there is a right to a referendum and that there should be a debate on the issue. "The campaign in Scotland will accelerate that entire process," Adams told Irish national broadcaster RTE.

In the last major poll on the issue, a slim majority of Catholics in Northern Ireland favored remaining part of the United Kingdom. (Tipped by JMG reader Eric)

RELATED: According to the Campaign For A United Ireland, numerous American state and municipal legislative bodies have issued resolutions in support of unification. 

BRITAIN: Cameron Promises Devolved Powers For All Nations In United Kingdom

During his triumphant speech early this morning, British Prime Minister David Cameron vowed that "just as the people of Scotland will have more power over their affairs, so it follows that the people of England, Wales, Northern Ireland must have a bigger say over theirs." He continued, "The question of English votes for English laws - the so-called West Lothian question - requires a decisive answer. So just as Scotland will vote separately on their issues of tax, spending and welfare, so too England as well as Wales and Northern Ireland should be able to vote on these issues." Some have worried that the government will be pushed further right without liberal Scottish votes in Parliament.
  

NORTHERN IRELAND: Bakery Faces Court For Refusing To Make Pro-Gay Cake

A bakery in Northern Ireland is facing legal action after refusing to make a Sesame Street-themed pro-marriage cake for an LGBT rights group. Via the Belfast Telegraph:

The Equality Commission has told the owner of Asher’s Baking Company that it has broken the law by refusing to bake a cake for a member of a gay rights group. Daniel McArthur (24), general manager at the Newtownabbey company which has been running since 1992 and employs 62 people, said Asher’s had been founded by Christians, and the current directors are Christians. “That means that we run our business according to Christian values and beliefs, according to what the Bible teaches. It means for example that we don’t open on Sundays, that we trade openly and honestly with people,” he said. LGBT activist Gareth Lee had asked for the cake to include a slogan that said ‘support gay marriage’ along with a picture of Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street, and the logo of the Queerspace organisation. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK where gay marriage has not been legalised.

And Robert Oscar Lopez gets item #301 for his homofascism list.

NORTHERN IRELAND: Legislature Rejects Marriage Bill By Vote Of 51-43

Via the Guardian:

Amnesty International has warned that a legal challenge is likely to the Northern Ireland assembly's decision to block a gay marriage equality bill. A Sinn Féin motion to bring in gay marriage to Northern Ireland was defeated by 51 votes to 43. It was the third time in the past 18 months that Stormont has rejected same-sex marriage. But the human rights organisation said those who had used their veto in the assembly were "like latter-day King Canutes, trying in vain to hold back the tide of equality". Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty's programme director in Northern Ireland, said: "States may not discriminate with regards to the right to marry and found a family on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. "That obligation is clear in international law. This means that marriage should be available to same-sex couples in Northern Ireland, just as it is now in England and Wales and will shortly be in Scotland."

Before the vote local Catholic authorities wrote to every Stormont member to demand their opposition.

NORTHERN IRELAND: Activists Threaten To Sue For Marriage After Scotland Vote

Saying that they are happy but frustrated about Scotland's approval of same-sex marriage yesterday, activists in Northern Ireland say they may turn to the courts. Via Gay Star News:

John O’Doherty, director of The Rainbow Project in Belfast and chair of Equal Marriage NI, told Gay Star News he applauded Scotland’s politicians for voting in favor of equality.  ‘But it’s very frustrating when you consider Northern Ireland had the first ever civil partnership,’ he said. South of the border, the independent Republic of Ireland is likely to get gay marriage in the next three years.  O’Doherty said: ‘We will be the only country of these islands to still ban equal marriage."
 But gay rights campaigners believe there is an opportunity. ‘The reality in Northern Ireland is that we have to rely on the courts on LGBT issues,’ O’Doherty added to GSN. ‘Examples of this in recent times are rights of same-sex couples and unmarried couples to apply to adopt and the MSM blood ban both of which were ruled as discriminatory by the courts in Northern Ireland.’

The Democratic Unionist Party has long opposed all LGBT rights measures in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Legalizes Gay Adoption

At least there's some good news this week. Via BBC News:

A ban on gay and unmarried couples applying to adopt children in Northern Ireland has been removed. They may now apply in the same way as heterosexual couples. Health Minister Edwin Poots had tried to challenge an appeal court decision to extend adoption rights to gay couples. However, the Supreme Court said the Department of Health's argument for appeal did not meet the criteria. Previously, a single gay or lesbian person could adopt children in Northern Ireland, but a couple in a civil partnership could not. In June, the Court of Appeal ruled that the ban based on relationship status was held to discriminate against those in civil partnerships and to breach their human rights. Northern Ireland was the only part of the United Kingdom where that policy existed. Now, the law in Northern Ireland is in line with the rest of the UK.

RELATED: In October, Northern Ireland's Equality Commission endorsed same-sex marriage and demanded that the issue be put forward in the legislature. The Democratic Unionist Party has so far blocked any attempts.

Last Night At Belfast City Hall

Pink News reports:

The City Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland, was lit up in rainbow colours last night to coincide with the start of Pride, but it will be the only of the UK’s capital cities where same-sex couples will be banned from marrying once the law changes in Westminster and Edinburgh. Last night,the House of Commons Speaker, John Bercow, told the audience of Amnesty’s annual Belfast Pride lecture that although Northern Ireland is “considerably behind” when it comes to LGBT rights, “if it’s won through in the rest of the Kingdom it will prevail in Northern Ireland”.