Mixed views about Cork’s attitude to homosexuality

THERE were mixed views on the streets of Cork yesterday at the news a young gay couple had been allegedly ejected from a Cork city bar after kissing on the dance floor.

Yvonne Murphy from Douglas said she considers Cork as a city that is open to homosexuality.

“I have no problem with it. I feel the same way towards two gay people kissing as I would about two straight people kissing.”

However, Ken Kyrrell, also from Douglas, disagreed, saying that a lot of people are still in the dark on homosexual issues.

“I don’t have a problem with people being gay but I don’t know if I would like to see two guys kissing.”

Aoife Cliffe from Limerick said the attitude to homosexuality has definitely got better.

She pointed to David Norris’s initial public support as an indication that times are changing and attitudes are progressing. Ms Cliffe said the older generations still have their own views, but she does think attitudes in general are improving.

Emma Cashman, from Whites Cross, Cork, agreed, saying that older people may have a problem but society is changing and people accept the way that it is now.

“I think that in Cork homosexuality is very acceptable and people in general are open minded.”

Although she would find it unusual to see gay people kissing, she remains very open minded.

“It wouldn’t upset me. I don’t think the two people in that pub should have been bothered, not in this day and age.”

Alan White, from Douglas, disagreed, saying the attitude to homosexuality in Cork is backwards, especially after hearing of this incident.

“There is a certain element of the Cork population that has a negative view on homosexuality. There is a negative attitude to equality for gay people.”

Mr White said while he didn’t feel the two students should have been asked to leave the bar, he would feel slightly uncomfortable with the situation. However, he added: “I do very much believe in each to their own. It’s not for me to judge other people’s views.”

David O’Regan, Arklow, Co Wicklow, disagreed that Cork is backwards in relation to views on homosexuality and pointed to the increase in organised gay nights around the city.

“People couldn’t care less what sexuality you are. I would prefer not to see gay people kissing but I don’t really care, it doesn’t matter.”