Lesbian and Gay Visions of Ireland: Towards the Twenty-First Century

by Eoin Collins

Recent legal reforms, President Robinson's reception for lesbian and gay leaders, and the rows over the St Paddy's Day Parade in NYC, have focused world attention on a re-definition of Irishness and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0304332291
• ISBN13: 9780304332298
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: Cassell
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

A Field of Lavender Shamrocks: Queer Visions of Ireland

A Field of Lavender Shamrocks: Queer Visions of Irelandby Bill Courson"Lesbian and Gay Visions of Ireland" is a collection of narratives in which each contributor reflects on his or her work in the Irish lesbian and gay community and envisions what the future holds for queer residents of the Republic. Contributors include Senator David Norris, Emma Donoghue, Father Bernard Lynch and Kieran Rose, inter alia. The legal reforms wrought since 1992 in the wake of the European Court of Human Rights decision in the Norris v. Ireland case, President Mary Robinson's reception for Irish lesbian and gay leaders, the steadily eroding influence of the once dictatorial Catholic hierarchy and the rows over the St Patrick's Day Parade in New York City have focused world attention on a re-definition of Irishness and sparked unprecedented discussion of the long-suppressed subject of sexuality - including homosexuality - among the Irish public. Here a range of voices of those closely involved in the process of change engage with the shifts in Irish society, politics, faith and values. Each writer reflects on their work in the lesbian and gay community and envisions what the future holds for lesbian and gay citizens in the Republic. Contributors include Senator David Norris (of Norris v. Ireland fame), Mary Dorcey, Emma Donoghue, Louise Walsh, Father Bernard Lynch, Cherry Smyth, Eibhear Walsh, Jonie Crone, Kieran Rose and Anne Maguire. The extraordinary political successes of Ireland's queer community in 1993 after a twenty year struggle for equality, their achievements since then, and the impact of all of these events and processes on Ireland seen against the wider background, betokens a sea-change in the Irish body politic, that along with the prospect for peace and the creation of a Civil Society in the North afford a great promise and a bright hope for the Ireland of the 21st century. "Lesbian and Gay Visions of Ireland" offers the reader a fascinating account of these processes, events and personalities.