Will Ireland Elect A Gay President?

[WillParkinson]

Will Ireland Elect A Gay President?

Openly gay Sen. David Norris decided to run for president of Ireland after supporters launched a Facebook campaign urging him to enter the race. And now polls show him far ahead.

Although, like the British monarchy's, the Irish president's power is more symbolic than real, elections to the post have previously been used to protest against the Republic's political establishment. Norris is non-aligned, and is hoping to tap into the widespread discontent over the profligacy of the Celtic tiger years and the way the state's main party, Fianna Fáil, handled the economy. Norris denies his sexuality will be an issue even in more conservative rural parts of Ireland. "It's a non-issue," he says. "It's a non-issue with the people of Ireland. Some may have some concerns, and I hope I am able to address them. I have just had a major radio interview in Dublin and the interviewer asked me about it, and people came on the programme to say 'Will you get out of that? What does it matter! We want someone with vision ... someone who is independent.'

Norris says he has lived a "decent and respectable life" and that those seeking to embarrass him for his sexuality "will find no scandal."

http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2010/10/will-ireland-elect-gay-president.html

[xchrom]

1. Recommend

[Not Me]

2. How cool is that!

Might give me a reason to visit Ireland...I've never been, but always wanted to.

[Smarmie Doofus]

3. Wow. That's astonishing.

I can get away with asking this as an Irish-American: why are Irish attitudes toward homosexuality so much more.... *adult*? Much more so, it would certainly appear... than their Irish American cousins. ( NOTE: I'm speaking in *generalities*. But it's hard to deny it's true.)

Aside from the obvious..... . ie. they're Europeans.

They're just as catholic... if not more so. Are they not?

Is it American TV? John Wayne-ism? I'm genuinely flummoxed.

( I hope "flummoxed" means confused.).

[pinto]

6. Everyone's mileage will vary, I guess. I'm Irish American, family didn't flinch when I came out.

In fact, some of the responses were "Duh, that's news?"

I got lucky. :hi:

[Smarmie Doofus]

7. Maybe it's an east coast thing. Watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsZvOLO8IVk

[hootinholler]

4. OH my Lucky Stars!

Well, someone was gonna say it, lol

:hide:

-Hoot

[ProfessionalLeftist]

5. An Irish friend of mine says he could sail in there, no bother whatsoever. n/t