Gender Parity? What about voters choice?

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The Labour Party published its Electoral (Gender Parity) Bill today (See RTÉ for details) which will cut state funding to party who dont put forward a certain percentage of female candidates. From what I see from my expeirence in political parties, that when women put themselevs forward for candidature they invariable get selected, not because women vote for them but because men vote for them! I attended conventions for three electoral areas for the upcoming local elections and a woman did not put herself forward for election.

Its not for lack of support within Fine Gael, there is a strong womens group within Fine Gael and there is a large number of female officers on the various boards in Cork FIne Gael (As well as two female Councillors on Cork City Council) so to me there is very little political opposition to women candidates. The biggest downfall for women candidates is actually the female vote. Women dont vote for women, according to a study I read before Older Men are more likely to vote for women then women are!

Gender quota's wont work, they lead to token women candidates who have no opportunity to get elected. Also bringing in a bill like this challenges how parties select candidates. For example in Fine Gael, it is members in the constituency that get to vote and choose the candidate, this bill will take that power away from locals and put in the hands of head office. Something which hasn't worked to great effect for Fianna Fail.

Any gender parity is a no hoper in my opinion.

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Two Months, Too Soon?

Image by stephen.spillane via FlickrI blogged recently enough about the time I told my boyfriend I loved him. I have also told it to a few people. A comment I hear alot is "Do you think it is too soon for that?" I must admit, it was starting to niggle me from the back of my head. But last night I went out (and didnt drink) and met with a friend from New Jersey. He was with two of his friends from Dublin and we were doing the whole getting to know you, how long have you been with your boyfriend and that.

They told me that they had said that they had told each other they loved each other after less then two months and they moved into together after five months. That happened six years ago they told me! This was a weight off my mind. Here was a good example of gay couple that worked.

Unfortunately, in the gay scene in Cork and among my friends, there isnt a whole lot of long-term relationships, so actually meeting someone who was in the same situation was a great relief to me (and Russell when I rang im later in the night to tell him!). It was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders as now I can say, I know of others who were in the same situation and are still together.

I couldnt be happier then after I met Tom and Eugene and basically told me, what I feel is normal, and is not too fast!

First Canvass of 09

Image via WikipediaWell I am home after my first night canvassing in 2009. I was out canvassing for Emmet O'Halloran a candidate (for Fine Gael, in case you didn't know) in Cork South Central Ward for Cork City Council. We were canvassing near where I went to secondary school in Deerpark. It had been awhile since I had been out canvassing door to door (last time was the generals in 07) but it didn't take me long to get back into the swing of things and peoples reaction did help alot.

There was alot of anti-FF on the doors tonight. More so then towards the end of the General Election Campaign in 2007. I personally would not like to be a Fianna Fail canvasser this time round. Alot of people were saying never again would they vote for Fianna Fail. The budget, Beverly Cooper-Flynn and Government inaction on the jobs front featured heavily as well as local issues.

Language was an issue I came across tonight. Under EU law all EU Nationals have to right to vote in Local and European Elections, so it is worth my while knocking on the door and hoping they speak English. In a few houses I knocked on, there was an obvious language barrier, which was very annoying for me as I didn't know if the person understood me at all!

Overall I really enjoyed being back on the canvass and I suppose the reaction helped majorly, especially as it was so cold! Looking forward to many more, considering its a good few weeks to June!

So if you live in Cork South Central, very soon you could have me knocking on your door!

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Cancer Protest Pics

Here are some pictures from the protest in Cork this evening. I brought my camera but I forgot my memory card so these have been taken with my phone.

Reminder: Protest Tomorrow 6:30pm

Quick reminder of the Cervical Cancer Protest tomorrow on Daunts Square at 6:30pm.

Do come along and bring friends and a camera!

Workout Christmas Special!

I cannot wait for this. From the Pavillion Bar's Website:

Xmas Workout Special with DJ BROZ
Live Upstairs
Sun, December 21st, 10.00pm

DJ BROZ returns to Corcaigh from his new home in Holland...Workout attained a bit of legendary status years ago… by being a lean mean Hit factory of high energy 137 disco heaven tunes.... also touching you in places no-one had before with tear jerking power ballads ,torch songs and spontaneous outcrys from the vocal chords of Broz...Once described as ireland only male Diva...broz had being the front man! for the ever smoochie SEXUAL CHOCOLATE. Workout became Broz’s Dj den...Tina turner,Grace jones,Chic,Desireless as well as some stuff that is so cheesy we cant even write it down for fear of retribution from lovers of good music..

DJ Broz played at Cork Pride last year and was amazing! Workout used to be in the Savoy on a Sunday night. Very tempted to do.

Decmeber 8th - Twas Ok

Well today was the busiest Monday in a long time at work. A lot of city schools were closed today so there was a large number of school kids getting presents around. Not a large farming contingent today I didn't think. You could spot farmers (well before anyway) long before they opened their mouths!

Was very happy anyway as I wasn't snowed under at work and we were busy enough to make the day fly! Now to look forword to tomorrow a day off, which is also my birthday!!!

Bloggers Late Christmas Lunch Cork

Joe got volunteered to organise a bloggers lunch next week and its happpening at 5pm in The Market Lane on Oliver Plunket Street. Sign up on Joes Blog, im down as a late arrival so do come along, it should be interesting.

Reinstate HPV vaccine programme - Rally in Cork

On Wednesday December 10th at 6:30pm there will be a rally on Daunts Square which is being organised by
Harney must reinstate cervical cancer vaccine group on Facebook. There is also a candle light vigil at the same time outside the Dáil on the same day. Full details on the Facebook event page.

Meanwhile Gavin's blog has an update on the strength of the facebook group.

It is over issues such as this, the breast cancer misdiagnoses and numorous other muck-ups in our health system that Mary Harney shold resign over, not some haircut paid for by FÁS.

Please come along next Wednesday and bring a camera!

Don't forget their is an online petition!

A reason to Love Cork

I love Cork and I am very patriotic about my home town, and events on Saturday made me love it even more. At the weekend my boyfriend was up from Kerry and he stayed around town on Saturday and we met up for lunch. At all times I was with him in town we were holding hands. Did we get a reaction? No



In fact most people registered no reaction especially Irish people. A few people stared and in fact two girls said "eww gays" and then burst out laughing! This is a major reason why I love Cork. I never get hassle about being gay or holding hands with guys. I have gotten hassle in other places, notable Dublin and Koeln, where I was shouted at, but it comes with the territory. ('Queer' in Dublin and 'Schwule' in Koeln).

Lots of foreign people ask me what it is like to be gay in Ireland and I must say being gay in Cork is grand as most Cork people don't give a toss! Which is also an attitude I have!

So I LOVE Cork!

"You must be BATTY to think we wont fight the cuts"

The above was on a hand made sign at the education protest in Cork City last Saturday. It was one of the largest protests I have seen in Cork especially in comparison to the student protest on fees earlier this year and the protest I was on back in 2004 on fees.

From my work I could see the protest passing which seamed very colourful and enjoyed the support of shoppers. It took the protest a good 45 minutes to pass the Savoy Centre (where I work) which gives you an indication of how large the turnout was. Their were teachers from Kerry, Cork, Limerick, and Waterford from the signs I saw but they could also have been teachers from Tipperary and Clare and I am open to correction on that!

Fair play to the INTO, TUI and ASTI for organising the protest which is resonating well with the public and has people on their side. The Government and the Education Minister especially are making a mess of this issue and the Education budget needs to be re-thought completely.

I Love Cork OpenCoffee Club

Well today I went along to my first Cork OpenCoffee Club in Luigi Malones and I loved it! Why did I love it? Well I got to meet really interesting people like Gordon Murray of eWrite, Anthony Glavin of ClubW and Micheal Kane of Curious Wines (whos logo rocks!!) to name but a few. I learned so much today about IT and various projects in Cork and beyond (such as Beyond: Targets by Tom Doherty in Waterford (who also bought the coffee! Thank you!!!)). I also got a chance to push this blog and to talk about services I like such as Twitter (think we may have gotten a few signups there), blip.fm and Friendfeed. I also got inspiration for things such as a new blog which I am going to start work on later today so I will keep you posted!

So if you are interested in IT in Cork or just have a passing interest like myself do come to the OpenCoffee Club! Its great and everyone is really nice there!

Reviews: Japanes Aimation Programme and Mexican Shorts 1

Well yesterday I went to the above mentioned screenings. The Japanese Animation Programme was amazing! All the shorts were from Open Art who specialise in short animations. A few of the shorts in that stood out. One was "Fishermen", the last short shown. It was an excellent short film on a world with out oceans! It was fantastic, the animation was out of this world! The film had everyone glued to it, an excellent piece. Another was "The Happy Thermometer" which can be viewed on Open Art's PodCast (Quicktime req). Another good animation which was funny at the start but has a turn! Do watch it!

The Mexican Shorts were, ahm, different. The majority in yesterdays screening concerned death, either suicide or murder or just plane disappearance. "Una Bala" (One Bullet) was amazing film about someone who tries to commit sucide but keeps finding people who should accompany him. A fantastic short with an unexpected twist! Always good in a short film! La Partida (Departure) was another good one. In this short you heard what a partly deaf woman hears as she struggles through her day and what she hears through her hearing aid. You do not see what she sees, but the hearing gives the film something totally different. I was hooked on it over it! Los Maravillosos Olores De La Vida (The Wonderful Scents of Life) was another excellent film, all about some ones love of killing. Well worth seeing.

Today I am going to see Spinnin' at 15:30 in the Gate Cinema and tonight I am going to the Blindness, tonights gala in the Opera House. Should be fun.

No to Fees!

Today I witnessed, from work, part of the protest in Cork against the reintroduction of third-level fees. According to the Evening Echo story 6,000 students took part in the protest. Strangely enough on the same day, the Irish Universities Association has been outlining its case for the reintroduction of third-level college fees before the Oireachtas education committee. Good timing on behalf of the students!

My first involvement with student politics was on a similar, but smaller, march against fees back with I was a first year student in UCC, which was five years ago now. I am feeling old now! Hopefully fees will not be reintroduced. But well done to all involved on the protest!

Films I'm Going to See

I blogged recently about the Cork Film Festival and today I became a member and got my programme! And what a programme! I actually have the week off work so I will be immersed in film for the week!

So my plan for the week is to see these films:

Sun 12th
Burn After Reading - 8:30pm Opera House. If i can get tickets for it SOLD OUT! :(

Mon 13th
None

Tues 14th
Japanese Animation Programme - 1:00pm Triskel
Mexican Shorts 1 - 4:30pm Kino

Weds 15th
Spinnin' - 3:00pm Triskel
Blindness - 8:30pm Opera House

Thurs 16th
None

Fri 17th
Walk Like a Man - 5:00pm Triskel
Brideshead Revisited - 7:00pm Gate

Sat 18th
Mise Aerach - Irish Lesbian and Gay Shorts - 1:00pm Gate
A Nightmare Before Chirstmas 3D Maybe! 2:30pm Gate
Secret Hiding Place + Two Men and Two Babies - 7:00pm Triskel
The Good, The Bad and the Weird - 11:30pm Opera House Its on Monday according to the website.... Back to Saturday according to the booking website!

Sun 19th
Men's Shorts - 3:00pm Kino

And that is it! I really want to see the film All My Life on Tuesday at 9:00pm in the Triskel, but can't as I have college :(

Should be a fun week and may try my hand at reviewing a few of the films!

Cork Film Festival 2008

From the 12th to the 19th of October, the Cork Film Festival will take place. I am really looking forward to it. Last year I attended it for the first time when I went to see 'Lust, Caution' in the Opera House. The box office is open from October 4th.

More info on their website, which is a bit hapazard at the moment and I cant find the full program yet.... so stay tuned!

Halloween Parade!

A friend of mine dropped in a leaflet today to me at work and I said I'd post it here and see what interest she got from it! She dosent know I'm posting it online but what the heck!

Cork Community Art Link (who helped out at Cork Pride) are hosting "The Third Dragon of Shandon Halloween Parade" and are looking for people to take part in a wide area of parts. Including: giant puppet, prop, masks, costume and and lantern making, performance, music and organisation!


Contact: Cork Community Art Link 107 Shandon street, Cork

021 - 4212914 artlink[at]iolfree [dot]ie

There is an after party planned I believe also so should be a great night! :D

Cork Fine Gael Voice

A project by some friends and myself is slowly getting off the ground. The project is Cork's Fine Gael Voice. We are slowly starting and highlighting news story's involving Fine Gaeler's in Cork. We would love to hear from people who would like to get involved as contributors or in any other way!

Check it out!

Back on the Canvass

This was originally posted on The Political Gay on GayCork.com

Yes, I know I'm barely back a week and I am out canvassing. Nothing new there really.

I spent Friday evening and Saturday morning canvassing Mahon Point Shopping Centre, we then moved onto the City Centre for part of the afternoon (before the Match of course).

This is the first time I am canvassing (or even voting) in a constitutional referendum so it's all new and interesting for me.

So the reaction. On Friday the reaction to us (campaigning for a Yes Vote, juts in case you are unsure) was fairly balanced Yes/No wise, with the Yes being slightly ahead.

Saturday was quieter on reaction from both sides but most people seamed happy to take a leaflet on the Treaty.

What annoyed me was people who said they didn't know anything about the treaty yet refused to take some literature to actually read up about it.

What I don't get, is people who disagree with you who decide to rip up the leaflet in front of you. Its so heart breaking.... NOT. Get a life like, give it back if you don't want it, save the environment and all that!

The funniest thing that happened to me (Strange things always happen to me canvassing!) was that a woman passed me and then came back ( I didn't hand her a leaflet or attempt as I had been dealing with someone else) and told me I would regret supporting the treaty as under the Treaty of ROME, not Lisbon, that the EU would take over our land, I would be conscripted into an EU Army (I won't, I've done my service, if it was being brought in, which it is) and that the EU is being run by the Freemasons. I was like "huh?", No, I've read the Treaty's (Rome, Nice and Lisbon) and that does not come under them, as Rome was an economic treaty.

Another elderly gentleman gave out to me as the Treaty does not mention God. Why should it? It's an intergovernmental treaty!! Then he mentioned abortion, which is covered by a declaration under the Maastricht (or was it Amsterdam) Treaty, and the EU will not be telling us what to do on it!

Neutrality also came up on the canvass, a young man asked be it as a "straightforward Question" to which he wanted a "straightforward answer", he did ask in a nice way. I of course set the record straight for him. The triple lock will still be in place when the treaty passes (or fails). Also the Seville Declaration attached to the Nice Treaty safeguards our right not to take part in a common defence pact.

Right that's all for now. I am attending a Rally on the Lisbon Treaty on Thursday at 8pm in the Imperial Hotel and I will post my reaction to that also

CorkPride 2007 video's

A friend of mine made these and sent them to me! Enjoy.





This year Pride is on from May 25th to June 2nd. See CorkPride.com for more details and staytuned! :D