"The Gay Vote" launches voter information campaign

[David Cochrane]

Senator David Norris along with three dragqueens (Shirley Temple Bar, Panti and Veda) last night officially launched TheGayVote.ie a voter information campaign for gay people. The website contains the various party positions when it comes to gay rights, along with the voting record of outgoing TDs seeking re-election on the recent Civil Unions Bill.


from Page 5 of today's Irish Times.

More from TheGayVote.ie

Just to declare an interest here, I am one of the coordinators of that website and campaign.

[meriwether]

David Norris with 3 drag queens? Ill be taking that seriously. Whats on the manifesto? reduce the tax on 3 inch stillettos? Remove VAT on Cher records?
This is just pathetic. Any sort of credibility thats attached to this just bombed in my eyes.

[Universal_001]

Why senator...why must you feed into the steriotypes....it's very very depressing....

[meriwether]

Why senator...why must you feed into the steriotypes....it's very very depressing....

Exactly. No doubt this is a good site, addressing some important issues towards the Gay community, and society at large, including adoption rights, and marraige legislation.
And they launch it with Shirely-Temple-Bar. Real smart.

[Lanod]

I pray for poor David Norris that he will get over this phase in his life.

[C.Reggan]

I pray that he will be subjected to extraordinary rendition but the waste of space is probably not worth it.

[AndrewM]

What an utterly stupid photo op to launch the website. Just confirms everyones stereotypes about gay people. David Norris has lost any respect I had for him- and I used to have quite a lot.

[smithfield1]

Am I the only one who finds the map misleading. It flags the deputies who voted on civil opartnership bill but says nothing of the views of those not currently in then house.
As for the photograph, why do gay men have to be portrayed as drag queens??????

[Lanod]

What an utterly stupid photo op to launch the website. Just confirms everyones stereotypes about gay people. David Norris has lost any respect I had for him- and I used to have quite a lot.

Poor David Norris, he's lost it completely.

[David Cochrane]

WHOAH GUYS put the handbags down for a moment.

The constituency pages at the moment show you the TDs seeking re-election and whether they voted in favour or against the civil unions bill - we'll be added markers to highlight new candidates, and also TDs who abstained or didn't turn up for the vote. We have pages for each party where they can set out their current views, and any candidate who wishes to send content, is free to do so.

The 'use' of Sen. Norris and Shirley Temple Bar is a good decision in my view (and they were both very good in supporting the photocall), Sen Norris is one of the leading political figures when it comes to gay rights in this country. Shirley Temple Bar is one of the most well known personalities in the gay community. It's a no brainer in my view.

The fact that the photo made it into page 5 of today's Irish Times demonstrates that the photcall was a good move, it got coverage, mission accomplished. You can disagree with various elements, but I've repeatedly said to people in the past view days that I will judge this campaign on one thing only: hits to the website - raising awareness of the site is an important element of the campaign.

This campaign is not targetted at people on Politics.ie - so just take a moment to get a grip on who the target is - gay people. Various posters have been produced that communicate with gay people in different ways. That's the rationale. Only 'some' of the target audience will be attracted by this photocall - but there are other things planned over the coming weeks.

Oh and correct me if I'm wrong, but Senator Norris does not appear to be wearing a dress in that photo.

As for the homophobic comments, I expect no less from those who spout them.