20 years today

the_syco

From AH

23 Jun 2013 - Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Decriminalisation of Homosexuality

24th June 2013: Twenty years ago today, in June 1993, the Bill which decriminalised homosexuality in Ireland passed all stages in the Dáil.

So, any oldies on here celebrating 20 years of freedom? Do they find kids these days any more accepting of the whole gay thing (no pun intended there!).

lottpaul

the_syco wrote: »

So, any oldies on here celebrating 20 years of freedom? Do they find kids these days any more accepting of the whole gay thing (no pun intended there!).

As one of the "oldies" -- zimmerframe parked outside :P -- I had forgotten about the exact anniversary itself - but, yes, things are unrecognisable from 20 years ago, in so many ways. It's everything from the changes in law to the attitudes of people generally.
Still more to do, of course, but fantastic to look back and see the progress. There are still too many people who live in fear/anxiety though. I think schools esp need to get their act together and protect kids from bullying and confront some of the attitudes that are still out there.

eviltwin

Only 20 years ago? :eek:

baby and crumble

I am both delighted about this anniversary- because it decriminalised gay sex, but it also brought in something which I am working with people with intellectual disabilities to have changed. The same bill that decriminalised gay sex made it a criminal offence for anyone with an intellectual disability to have sex unless they're married, and it is almost impossible to 'prove' that they understand the repercussions of marriage (according to the law which governs that, which incidentally dates to 1871 or so), so it means that that rarely happens. Funny how one bill can free one sector of society and condemn another.

lottpaul

baby and crumble wrote: »

The same bill that decriminalised gay sex made it a criminal offence for anyone with an intellectual disability to have sex unless they're married, and it is almost impossible to 'prove' that they understand the repercussions of marriage (according to the law which governs that, which incidentally dates to 1871 or so), so it means that that rarely happens. Funny how one bill can free one sector of society and condemn another.

Never knew this and very sad to hear it. It sounds like a very regressive law. Is there any prospect of it's repeal/amendment?

baby and crumble

lottpaul wrote: »

Never knew this and very sad to hear it. It sounds like a very regressive law. Is there any prospect of it's repeal/amendment?

There are a bunch of us (People with and without disabilities) working on getting the law changed. The big issue is the mental capacity bill which addresses things like capacity to consent to sexual activity keeps getting pushed back and pushed back.

Tito Man!

I think that my generation (those born from about 1980 on) are the lucky ones. While I'm originally from England, I've lived over here all my adult life.

In my lifetime, homosexuality has become legal and is becoming more and more accepted everywhere.

I would hope in my lifetime that marriage will become a realisation. I love the quote by James Carville, the Democratic campaign manager from the United States, on the subject of gay marriage: "When I first heard about gay marriage, I was against it. Then I realised it wasn't compulsory."

I do find the fact that the same law that liberated so many also restricted another minority. That is a horrible law. An absolutely draconian, despicable law. It needs to be changed. Everyone deserves equal and fair treatment, regardless.

johnreck

Im a little freaked that it was 20 years ago..
has that much time really passed.
i swear it does not seem to be that long ago..