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Leo Varadkar comes out

Comments

  • #2
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,158 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    Edited.

    Its against boards.ie rules to post full articles.

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • #3
    J_E
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,734 ✭✭✭J_E


    He was always out, but it's really nice to see him doing it publically and seeing the mostly positive feedback. This is a very public figure - it could particularly affect younger people in a good way, and aspiring politicians.


  • #4
    ongarboy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,201 ✭✭✭ongarboy


    Never guessed in a million years that he might be gay. It is a good development as it means another positive precedent has been established.


  • #5
    the_syco
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,316 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    I wonder was he pushed? Either way, another politician for the "yes" vote can't hurt. Seems some Irish priest also came out.


  • #6
    floggg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,824 ✭✭✭floggg


    the_syco wrote: »
    I wonder was he pushed? Either way, another politician for the "yes" vote can't hurt. Seems some Irish priest also came out.

    I think there was some pushing. I can only assume Leo was the inspiration for the recent thread on "outing" public figures.

    I had heard it before from a somewhat reliable source, but I don't know if it was too widely known.

    I listened to the interview over lunch. A lot of it resonated with me personally - as sure it did for plenty of other gay people. I get the impression it took a long while for him to get comfortable with it, and the relatively composed and polished interview is the culmination of a long process.

    I would imagine he wouldn't be comfortable championing LGBT issues in the same way that Gerry Buttimer or John Lyons will. That might be positive in its own way if he can show that his sexuality is really just a footnote in his biography.


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  • #7
    Ten of Swords
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 24,381 CMod ✭✭✭✭Ten of Swords


    I expected Quinn to have a pop at Leo, and I was not disappointed...

    The wisdom of David Quinn
    Our Health Minister has to realise that you cannot change the definition of marriage without attacking precisely a child's right to a mother and a father.
    Wouldn't it be wonderful if Leo Varadkar could see this? Wouldn't it be wonderful if he still believed in the right of a child to a mother and a father and realised that changing the constitutional definition of marriage severely undermines this and then said so.

    For those not inclined to read his article, this 5 second youtube clip sums it up rather succinctly

    Moderator: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender, Vegan & Vegetarian

    Category Moderator: Social & Fun



  • #8
    Mr.Frame
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 766 ✭✭✭Mr.Frame


    I think a lot of gays will be going to their local shop to buy new batteries for their gaydar.
    I know I will. I hadn't a clue Leo was gay


  • #9
    jobbridge4life
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,759 ✭✭✭jobbridge4life


    Seriously no one figured Leo?


  • #10
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,158 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    jobbridge4life wrote: »
    Seriously no one figured Leo?

    Some people does not equal noone

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • #11
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,158 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    Brian Finnegan just wrote that Leos coming out meant a 62 year old man came out to his family. I'm delighted that Leos coming out is having such a positive effect.

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



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  • #12
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 71,186 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Ten of Swords wrote: »
    I expected Quinn to have a pop at Leo, and I was not disappointed...

    The wisdom of David Quinn





    For those not inclined to read his article, this 5 second youtube clip sums it up rather succinctly


    Quinn has become almost a parody of himself at this stage. Can't figure out any other angle to attack SSM on, so he tries to drag it back to "the children", even though the referendum will have absolutely nothing to do with children, adoption, guardianship, fertility treatments, etc, etc


  • #13
    floggg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,824 ✭✭✭floggg


    L1011 wrote: »
    Quinn has become almost a parody of himself at this stage. Can't figure out any other angle to attack SSM on, so he tries to drag it back to "the children", even though the referendum will have absolutely nothing to do with children, adoption, guardianship, fertility treatments, etc, etc

    Well if he lead with "gays are icky and I hate them" it might make it harder for the most send out those solicitors letters every time somebody says something mean/accurate about them.


  • #14
    jobbridge4life
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,759 ✭✭✭jobbridge4life


    Joeytheparrot wrote: »
    Some people does not equal noone

    How right you are. I was however simply asking a question on a forum in which no one said they figured he was and some said they would never have guessed 'in a million years'. I wasn't being literal.


  • #15
    Aard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,905 ✭✭✭Aard


    He certainly seems to have kickstarted the civil marriage debate. I wasn't ready for the emotional trifecta of Donal Óg, Claire Byrne, and Vincent Brown last night. Some of the crazy talk had me in despair. Leo's story might help some middle-aged Irish men realise that they can lead a regular life. Unfortunately suicide is still considered a better option by many men over accepting their sexual orientation. There's a lot of negativity out there still, as evidenced by the Iona Institute and that Sword of the Spirit crowd. Imagine being born into a family like that. Or going along with a lie for years then ending up divorced and alone at 50. We talk about having positive gay role models for young people. But there are many more "older" people who are just as at sea with their sexual orientation, and who possibly have more to lose by coming out.


  • #16
    jobbridge4life
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,759 ✭✭✭jobbridge4life


    Aard wrote: »
    Leo's story might help some middle-aged Irish men realise that they can lead a regular life.

    :eek: I am sure 36 year old Leo will be thrilled!

    Seriously though I agree with you and the remainder of your post.


  • #17
    Aard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,905 ✭✭✭Aard


    Well I actually had been thinking moreso of the over-50s... I should've made that clearer


  • #18
    lottpaul
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,166 ✭✭✭lottpaul


    Aard wrote: »
    Well I actually had been thinking moreso of the over-50s... I should've made that clearer


    Some of the over-50s here would be pretty happy to be called middle-aged :)


  • #19
    playedalive
    Closed Accounts Posts: 750 ✭✭✭playedalive


    After listening to the interview, I have nothing but huge respect for the man. I could hear him how awkward it was for him to say 'I am a gay man'. Of course, coming out is generally quite an awkward thing to do. I thought he showed his personality quite well and came across on a very human level. Like even mentioning how he thought he would be romantically alone in life, and having the encourage to acknowledge his sexuality overcame that idea of being alone forever.

    I think only good can come for this and hopefully his interview will encourage people to live life in the open. :)


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