Very true,
At a guess I’m thinking the “I’ll never shop in a spar again” type stuff is being said in order to prompt action from Spar.

Although Spar don’t own the shop they could if the investigation finds such an incident did happen strip the shop of all the Spar branding/licensing I’d imagine,

I was asked to leave that shop before for holding my partners hand. It was a Mauritius manager who started shouting at us. Just left and went to centra

I’ve been in that spar at 2am once myself and saw the security guy physically and aggressively remove two drunk lads – for what, I have no idea. So yes perhaps that particular spar needs to address some of its staff.

But I’ve seen a lot of people making ridiculous claims that they’re going to march in to their local spar and tell them off for being homophobic. Come on now.. really?!

I see a lot more goes on under the tree at spar…..a homophobic security guard now there’s a thing.

Never shop in a Spar again in Ireland? You’d go hungry pretty quickly.

The next time I go in there I’m goin to ride the missus under the tree.

There should a mass gay Kissathon in the shop. That’d really annoy the homophobes! :)

@barry cummins – With you leaving Spar to go to Centra makes it easier for the lines of him to take is bigotry back to Mauritius!
I have noticed with this same Spar store that it is over run by Muslims and Christians.
By them calling someone a ‘faggot’ etc to me is the equivalent of burning their Qur’an.
Live and let live and I think Spar owe this couple an apology as do the security company who employed this homophobic hound!

Christians don’t actually read the Qur’an, Boy Russell. And how do you tell by looking at the staff who’s a Christian?! And why does it matter if they are, or are Muslim? Your comment is equally as bigoted as the ‘bigoted mauritius man’.

@Karen Carty – I was speaking in actual fact(s) and I am aware who reads the Qur’an and who doesn’t. My point been that a lot of (suspected) Muslims and Christians do have a problem with LGBT livelihoods.
My point being that if someone has a problem with how the next person lives just because it’s all over their holy book(s) full of receipt and fiction in their (suspected) countries, then by all means take it back there, as this country has fought far too long for gay rights to have them challenged and degraded by another.
I’ll have my opinions and you have yours but don’t ask me again to explain myself as I’ve explained myself perfectly well.
Now, off back out in the rain with ya!

@boi russlle – you said that the store is ‘overrun with Muslims and Christians’ and then used the Qur’an in the very next sentence, so it simply sounded as though you were implying that both Muslims and Christians read the Qur’an.

I agree with you, a lot of overly religious folk do have an issue with LGBT folk. But my point was that a vast amount of them actually don’t at all, and it’s unfair to tar them all with the same brush as the zealots. It’s also nearly impossible to tell who is a Christian simply by looking at them, so you have no idea if the shop is ‘overrun’ or not because you don’t know what religion the staff are.

Telling people to take their issues back to their own country because of what it says in their holy book is ridiculous – the Christian bible condemns homosexuality, so are you telling all the Irish Christian folk who agree with the bible (I don’t at all btw) to pack up and leave?? That’d be virtually all the elderly Catholics gone – and gone back to where? They are Irish to begin with.

I’m not in the rain. I’m indoors, thankfully. It’s pretty horrible out there.

@Barry – Never accept that kind of discriminatory behaviour. You have every right to hold your partners hand in public and in shouting at you and acting in a clearly homophobic manner, the manager is the one in the wrong, not least from a legal perspective.

In this area, Ireland is actually quite progressive. It is illegal in the areas of employment or in the provision of goods and services for anyone to be treated less favourably on the grounds of their sexual orientation. And this should be made crystal clear by every employer to their staff.

People also need to be informed of their rights and not accept such homophobia. The law is on our side in this respect. Don’t be afraid to use it.

“Suspected muslims”. Fantastically racist words there.

It seems that spar have not yet heard from the man in question. So really this only an allegation at this point and I’m frankly surprised at the lynch mob mentality in the comments below. It seems that anybody can make an allegation against anybody. Maybe we should all take a step back and wait and see if its actually true !

Been in that Spar plenty of times, without jumping to conclusions because I’d like to hear the full story first, I do hope we aren’t going down the same road as mainland UK where a tiny minority of religious extremists impose their views on the majority. Irish people are remarkably tolerant of other religions in this country, I’d hate to see that being eroded by a bad bunch of apples (even though, we’d all be better off without religion in the first place).

The store may be independently owned but they still buy from corporate, pay money to corporate, etc.

Such an incident should not take more than a couple of weeks to investigate. The full findings should be made public. If the employee in question is guilty then his ass should immediately and very publically be FIRED and a strong statement issued in a press conference that such actions will NOT be tolerated in any fashion.

Russell what do you mean Christians? Most Irish people are Christian. All the countries where gay marriage is legalized have Christian majorities. As for the post who said the Muslim remark is “racist”….WTF? The overwhelming majority of Arabs are Muslim. There are 5 countries in the world which execute homosexuals and they are all Muslim. All Muslim countries (excluding the only secular one Turkey) jail people for being gay. The majority of Muslims are homophobic, as well as African Christians. Those are just the facts, nothing “racist” about it. My non-Muslim-Pakistani father has experienced his fair share of racism in Ireland, Australia, and America. I agree with Boy Russell, don’t like Irish/Western culture stay in your own country. The UK is a disaster because of letting in such intolerant people.

Proper lol there!

“Not the way to go lads.”… Stuff it! We or I don’t need your permission on how we or I choose to to respond to any real or perceived homophobic slight! If it doesn’t concern you then it’s none of ur fking business !

Alright fine then, avoid every Spar in Ireland for the rest of your life. Tar every single Spar employee across the country with the same brush as this silly homophobic man. Lets all avoid all Spars because clearly they must all be anti-gay. It will greatly help the cause, I’m sure..

PDA ain’t ok! ;)

You’ve got the right to look away. It’s hardly offensive.

I agree, Garreth O’Mahony. Unacceptable.

I agree with Brendán… I’m not a fan of overly enthusiastic PDA, gay, straight or whatever. But, regardless, the way this couple were allegedly treated is a disgrace.

Thank you that needed to be said. I have no desire to see anyone wearing the face off someone else, gay or straight.

totally agree never been a fan of PDA straight, gay, old, young… a peck, holding hands and a hug fair enough but going at it eating the face off each other theres a time and a place for that like..

but also they should’nt have been threatened i don’t agree with that and it needs to be sorted

In San Francisco, I saw a couple having anal sex in broad daylight (well, it was the LGBT Pride Parade day) while the bottom was cleaning the mirror on his motorcycle. This on Market St at 11th, for those who want to lay a bronze plaque. It is possible to take the PDA a little too far. Discretion is the better part of amour.

The fact they were kissing is irrelevant. Its the abuse that allegedly ensued that’s the problem.

Certainly, if the security guard said what is alleged, he should (and I hope will) be sacked. Already. Yesterday. Last night at the latest. Is he still there? Can we visit him? Can we have a kiss-in?

Whatever your opinion on public displays of affection, you can’t be calling people “f****ts” and kicking them out of a shop for it. They were kicked abused and kicked out because of their sexual orientation.

Eh , I think that was definitely worse Seamus! could u imagine that in ireland with the cold wind at the moment!

This is not about PDA, its about a couple being singled out and victimised for being gay. That is the central fact here. And funnily enough, this only becomes an issue on those all too rare occasions when a same-sex couple is brave enough to hold hands in public or even kiss – the kind of normal behaviour that straight people take for granted all the time. So let there be no muddying of the waters or an attempt to divert attention away from the real issue here. We all know the only reason the couple in question were subjected to the vile homophobic abuse and told to leave the shop was because they were gay. And that is what needs to be addressed here and swiftly.

Not when they are right in front of me tbh, I didn’t have much choice !

Brendan totally agree, be they gay or straight couldn’t care less…but I’m glad you said it!

@Tommy Harper Why would you not go to the shop in question again, when you don’t even know if the story is true. Typical hysteria without the facts. You are believing the story of one man who has gone AWOL since the story went viral.

Tommy Harper, I have a similar story about being in a restaurant with my partner and having people beside us loudly chatting about gay people in a disrespectful manner. Funny how people don’t realise…we’re everywhere. ^_^

Thats just it, its not a big deal at all!

However, its clear from the people against gay/lesbian marriage that people do have a massive problem with same sex relationships. Its sad really.

Live and let live,

The sad fact is, it has always been much more socially acceptable for two men to be beating the crap out of each other than showing affection in public.

Agree Barry but sadly people don’t see it that way there will always be homophobic bigots out there.

That seems to be getting lost here, Brian. It is best to wait till all the facts emerge to see what exactly happened. There is equally no excuse for assaulting someone & there is equally no excuse for being offensive towards someone because they are gay.

Brian, you will actually find it is against the law to use the word faggot regardless if you give a damn or not and secondly nothing has been missed from the story, the victim claims that the first physical contact came from the security guard.

Yes Brian, lets not whine about it,political correctness gone mad when people think they can just walk around without being abused for being black, gay, female, disabled, transgender. PS. I’m being sarcastic just there.

Shakespeare uses the word “faggot”. It is a bundle of branches. Call your solicitor.

Colin you will find that it is not against the law to use the word “faggot” as it can mean a food dis and a bundle of twigs as well as referring to an unpleasant lady (Oxford English Dictionary). In this case it was used in a derogatory sense and so you could argue that the security guard was in breach of Section 6 of the Criminal Justice Act (Public Order), 1994, €550 fine and/or 3 months in jail. Of course it is not a cut and dried case as it is one sides word against the others.

Secondly you might want to re-read the story again where the author says ” I then dragged Emmett towards the deli and the security gaurd followed and again told us to get out of the shop ‘you faggots’ .. Emmett then pushed him away in retaliation after which two lads pinned him to the ground”. This is completely at odds to what you are saying. Like I said Section 2 assault (assuming no harm) €1.500 fine and/or 6 months in prison. If it’s Section 3 it’s 1 to 5 years.

Ah yes and then there is the hypocrisy of it all. Note this post http://i45.tinypic.com/m8lc2d.png by Robbie Lawlor on November 12, 2012/, ” Anthony stop being so anal …. faggooooooot”. Mr Lawlor clearly has no problem using this word toward other people but gets in a tizzy when someone says it to him! So I have lost all sympathy for his case and I am sure that any Judge would be the same if he were to make a complaint in court. against the security guard. On the other hand the assault charge might be a different matter.

All in all if Mr Lawlor thinks that it is OK to post the word faggot online then he shouldn’t be whining about it be used towards him on the street, People is glasshouses and all that.

It was actually threatening and abusive behaviour on the security guards part. It was more than just words and you can clearly see the difference in use of the term “fagot” in each case. You cannot loose sympathy for someone being told to get out of a shop for kissing because of their sexuality. More people like Emmet should stick up for themselves in situations like that because it shouldn’t happen!! Anyone who would think the situation is right somehow or “to loose sympathy” for someone because over something else they said is completely idiotic.

It seems my last response to Brian disapeared so I will try again.

Thank you for noting the different contexts of the word “faggot” and where it may or may not be deemed unlawful depending on the use of the word and / or the context of the word.I take it you agree in this case it was used in an unlawful manner.

The young man calling his friend “faggooot” on facebook is not the same as being told “f**k off back to the George you faggots”. One is a clear example of what is called “reclaiming” a discriminatory word and using it in conversation. You might know that “queer” was once a highly popular word used by homophobes, nowadays its commonly used in gay culture and has been reclaimed. However, if somebody was to say to me whilst walking down Oxford Street with my husband “f**k of back to Vauxhall you pair of queers”, the context in which the word is being used is discriminatory and threatening. Whereas if a friend was to say to me, “what you doing today you big queer”, this is not offensive or discriminatory. You probably see many people of various ethnic and other minorities directing words at each other, which may, in other circumstances be deemed highly offensive. There’s a very obvious one.

Thank you for clarifying the physical contact issue which I fully accept I was wrong but I do note that the security guard does not appear to have made any complaint of assault, battery or otherwise that we are aware of. I also believe the response of the young men involved was proportioned given the circumstances.

So Gary are you condoning the assault on the security guard? His behavior wasn’t threatening but it was abusive. If I went around assaulting everyone that offended me it would be a full time job. Mr Lawlor’s use of the word on a Facebook posting seems acceptable to you but only he is allowed to use it and no one else i, is that what you are saying? I did not lose sympathy over Mr Lawlor’s being told to get out of the shop for kissing his partner, where I lost sympathy for him is his objection to being called a faggot when he himself is quite happy to use that word. It’s double standards and the assaulting of the security guard that lost all of my sympathy.

The funny thing is that you genuinely believe that pushing someone away from them who is repetitively verbally abusing someone is not ok. Emmet was the one who was assaulted by two people within the shop by the security guard. The poor man only wanted to enjoy time with his boyfriend and get something to eat. You also are clearly not getting the fact that context does matter. The manner of the word and the intent behind it is actually illegal and cannot be done. You cannot lose sympathy for someone who has been horribly wronged by someone just because of the use of a word. As I have said it is the context and the situation that matter here and it is that simple.

Colin I take your point about the use and context of the word and if I got up on my high horse every time someone called me Paddy or Mick etc in Britain my feet would never have touched the ground! My point is that I also use the same terms myself and so I don’t get offended when someone else used them. Even if I do I either challenge them in a civil manner or walk away. I certainly don’t “push them in retaliation” as Mr Lawlor’s partner did. What ever the wrongs about the slurs, the use of violence can not be condoned.

That being said the security guard should be fired or at least severely reprimanded. I only finished a security course last month and the last thing that any professional guard should be doing is provoking this sort of behavior. This now has led to calls for an occupation of the shop and some commentators here are talking about deliberately baiting the security personnel and cause a confrontation ( See Linda Doyle “Maybe ill pop into this spar on my way to the george some weekend and ware the face of my girlfriend…. because i’d sure as hell love to see him speak to me like that or remove me). That is deliberate provocation and serves to help nobodies cause.

Mr Lawlor has opened a can of worms here and it would not surprise me if there is more to come out of this story.He may well regret his Facebook comments in the future especially the one where he said that his partner was the first to use force!

Gary I understand that you are a friend of Robbie so I am probably not going to get through to you but here goes.
In Robbie’s own words “Emmett then pushed him away in retaliation after which two lads pinned him to the ground” Assault and the restraint.

But don’t take my word for it. As posted on the SPAR Facebook page by Ka Ca…………
” I was there, saw what happened. They seemed to have sorted out the problem inside the shop, or almost at least and the security guard walked away, then there was a huge crash and the blonde haired guy was flailing around the shelves trying to attack the guard, a spar employee then jumped to the security guards rescue and restrained the blonde guy who was still trying to fight back, once the blonde fella had calmed down he let him go but after only 2 steps he began to attack the guard again, at this stage there was loads of shouting and the spar employee retrained him again and escorted him out the door, where he held him on the ground. In the meantime another employee had rang the Gardai and as we were leaving the shop we heard the ‘victim’ shouting about how he was a doctor and making racial comments towards the employee holding him down.
I completely agree that stigma towards race, sexual orientation, or sex, is unacceptable and disgraceful but I do think it’s important to be aware of the facts before jumping to conclusions. I wasn’t there for the beginning of the altercation but the ‘victim’ certainly didn’t inspire much sympathy with his equally ignorant comments. Don’t get me wrong I just think that the spar employee who kept his head and tried to calm the whole situation shouldn’t lose his job over a few scratches, he acted incredibly professionally from my perspective.”

Someone isn’t telling the whole truth so who is it? Based on the description given by Ka Ca it would seem that the “poor” Mr Daly may have a lot to answer for! Care to comment on whether Ka Ca’s comments are accurate?

I know the full story and that is why I am defending them both. I wont discuss it in detail as they are going through legal matters at the moment. I would however like to say that it was not the way. I know why and I have seen the results of what happened. So I will say again like I have said. This was a horrible incident and completely wrong, I know these two people and cannot say how proud I am that they have spoken out against this horrible injustice. They are two incredibly nice guys the incident will hopefully be resolved soon and properly.

This difference is that homophobia isn’t a crime against one person. Its a crime against a community and keeps old ideas alive about what is or isn’t acceptable, who does and who doesn’t belong in the category of “normal people”. An assault is obviously a crime, but its a bit more interpersonal. Obviously we don’t know the facts in the case but it is likely that there was an element of provocation (verbal and/or physical) and its perhaps a bit easier to understand than an unprovoked homophobic attack on two people who were up until that point probably just living their lives like we all like to do.

Can’t agree more. While I don’t personally want to see people snogging the heads off each other in Spar shops if they are then so what ? I’m free to turn my eyes away, that’s all it takes, no need to ‘get offended’.

Because us single people don’t want to be reminded of what we’re missing, that we’ll die alone etc etc. ;)

forever alone

There’s no reason to try and understand the point of view of a man who uses homophobic slurs like this. The kissing is one thing sure, but it’s very clear if the allegations are true that he was being particularly vindictive because they are gay.

well said. let hope it’s resolved soon.

The use of “that” word is not regrettable it’s unacceptable. When asked why I’ve said replace the word with paddy and have it come from someone in England and see how you’d react. If the man said it then there should be serious repercussions.

You’d get on well in the Taliban. So it’s ok to kiss but only to a certain level and its only ‘regrettable’ to call a gay person a faggot. That’s BS politician speak. Spars are run by largely miserable mean owners and lets face it, the security guards are hardly going to be from Stanford.

your just weird people are free do what they like and how . having sex in public not good but a kiss is no harm whether its gay or straight. you sir are a negative man. god bless you

Horrible comment, Declan. “Regrettable”? Seriously?

It’s not regrettable, its abusive and discriminatory. Fair enough if you dont like PDA, however, hardly defends the use of the word faggot because the couple are gay. Also it was a peck on the lips so really why would that offend anyone?

Ridiculous comment Declan which excuses homophobia. If it were people of the opposite sex kissing there would probably have been a bit of eye rolling but I doubt very much verbal abuse would have came about.

Hello, Justin. I apply my comment to all. I have expressed that in my comment – “whether gay or straight”. To Peter T – I have also included the term “unacceptable” by way or correction & clarification in a further comment.

You said we should try to understand his point of view. I think we all know where you’re coming from.

Fair comment there seems to be no discretion in any corner these days , you’ve either got folks practically riding each other or calling for public be headings everyone is so permanently offended , why can’t folks just use a bit of tact and respect each others point of view .

Declan, you contradict yourself. First you say that we must wait to hear the outcome and not rush to conclusions. You then presume that the couple involved were being indiscrete. Conclusion number one? Then you give the security man the benefit of the doubt by saying “if” he used that word. Contradict, self? Self contradiction?

Suppose that’s a fair enough comment. Maybe its your good strong name that won me over.

We need more positive images of LGBT community in real world from the LGBT Community.

woohooo a dislike

Yeah but it’s also quite uncomfortable seeing two straight people do that in public. But you don’t tell them to “take it to Copper’s” so why should this be any different? Disgraceful

I think it’s cute when straight people kiss. I always think ‘ahh, what a lovely couple’. When I see two guys kissing I always think ‘I bet he’s the top and he’s a bottom, what’s he doing with him anyway’.

Did you choose that name because you’re the biggest muppet?

The attitudes of some commenters here are horrendous. Who cares if you dont like public displays of affection. My gay and lesbian brothers and sisters have grown up bombarded with heterosexual imagery and public affections on a daily, minute by minute basis. There is no escaping heterosexuality, it is a component of living, as is homosexuality. Those of you who have an issue with public displays of affection have obviously either A – never been in love/lust or B – had a very sad education and upbringing, and i feel sorry for you. You will live life deprived of many wonderful experiences. In modern Ireland of 2013 everyone should feel safe to express their love for their partner when they so wish. I for one as a married gay man will oftentimes walk hand in hand with my husband and sometimes, I will look at him and be overwhelmed with love and then, god damnit I will lean in and kiss him. The way young lovers do. Sadly then in this hideous world of ignorance, anger, religious fervour, hate, and stupidity, I know that my actions can endanger us, make us a target for that hate. This is unacceptable. People need to wise up, grow the f… up. At least the security guard was open in his homophobia, its the passivity and subtle homophobia of people like the respondents here that really gets under my skin. Out with hate. In with Love.

Snatcher, I see plenty of couples, mostly hetero, stopping in the middle of a shop to kiss/hug/cuddle/grope.* Most of them would be young, but definitely not just teenagers.

*And they’re usually doing it right when they’re at the checkout with me behind them waiting for them to pay and get outta my way!!

Well said!!!!

That was well said to Jaime btw. Most sensible comment on here. :)

Well said Jaime. Excellently put!

It’s nothing to do with political correctness. It’s to do with discrimination on the grounds of someone’s sexual orientation. It’s not acceptable regardless of how little it effects you or how ‘politically correct’ you think it is to disagree with it.

People like you create an environment where this kind of discrimination can go uncriticised. You’re as bad as the security guard in my book.

What a truly extraordinary comment…Calling someone a ‘faggot’ and telling them to get out of the store is not something to be taken with ‘a pinch of salt’. Are you seriously suggesting that customers should have to put up with being abused and called highly offensive names?!

We are not talking about about ‘political correctness’ here – We are talking about a basic level of professional behaviour and where people have the right not to be abused and ridiculed simply for being themselves. And all the more so when that person is not only indulging their own ignorant prejudices, but actually acting on behalf of a company who are legally required to adhere to equality law, which includes sexual orientation.

You should really spend more time off your computer :)

Gays attacking non-nationals,non-nationals attacking gays what’s the world coming to?

Again, any physical altercation afterwards would have been a direct result of the abusive and completely unacceptable language of the security guard.

Once that staff member decided to target the couple for being gay, he committed a major breach of even the most basic professionalism required. And he brought his employers into direct conflict with equality legislation. Nothing that may have happened afterwards impinges on that central, overriding fact.

Spar and the security complany involved must demonstrate beyond any doubt that they do not allow homophobic abuse in their names.

Btw, this incident has now been picked up in UK media and is not going to go away until clear action is taken. We have fought long and hard for equality laws to prevent this exact type of behaviour going unpunished.

I’d say it’s less about equality or bullying and more about He said, He said.

Also it’s been admitted that one of the innocents pushed the security guard in reaction to his alleged comments. Therefore not showing restraint and physically assaulting the security guard, probably because he was also a non-national, constitutes a HATE CRIME in my opinion.

Anyway some security guard with a dumb opinion and a loose mouth is probably out of a job now and his children have to suffer, just so these lovely innocent men can kiss and behave in whatever fashion they like anywhere they want because that’s more important.

@Meh

I suspect you are simply a troll looking for a reaction but if you do really believe that nonsense you posted:

Homophobic abuse is never acceptable, not from a security guard employed in a shop or anyone else for that matter. And that applies to everyone, regardless of nationality, cultural beliefs etc. Irish laws apply to everyone living and working here. So to bring up something as utterly irrelevant as the offenders nationality in an attempt to defend his actions only shows up your own ignorance – or again, you could just be fishing for a reaction.

Bottom line: Someone working with the public does not get away with hurling bigoted, homophobic slurs at said public. There must be consequences.

Couldn’t the same argument be used against all the black people that for decades have been abused with the word n***err? “Sure just ignore it”.

Sometimes its just not ok anymore to ignore levels of abuse.

They weren’t told to get a room, they were called “faggots” on two occassions.

So you’re ok with racism and homophobic behaviour David?

@ Barry:
you say -
“Couldn’t the same argument be used against all the black people that for decades have been abused ….”

not the same, at all, at all.
people don’t choose the colour of their skin.

Nice sh1t stirring comment there michael.

Michael, people don’t choose their sexuality either.

But in any case, if this account is accurate, it’s not down to the couple’s sexuality, or skin colour, or anything else. It’s down to how the security guard dealt with the issue. He chose to use discriminatory language, which he should have known would only make the situation worse. Even if the guys were going way overboard in how expressive they were getting, there’s no call for using the language he did.

This wouldn’t be the first time a security guard has asked a couple, gay or straight, to tone things down a bit. But the fact that it’s only making news now means that most of those know how to handle the situation sensitively.

Michael O’Toole – what century are you living in??

@ Brian O’Sullivan:
my comment was a responce to the comment that equated the ‘carry on’ of the two geezers in the shop, to that of a person being black.
i repeat – THERE IS NO COMPARISON, at all, at all.

as for boycotting the Spar shop !
i’d be more inclined to avoid a shop where the ‘carry on’ as reported was the norm -
especially if i had my children with me

Michael you said people don’t choose the colour of their skin as if to imply people choose to be gay. Initially I thought you were sh1t stirring but now it appears you were putting it forward as a legitimate argument!

@ Justin Donoghue:
i did say that peole can’t choose the colour of their skin,
& i do say that people can choose how they behave in a public place
& that’s why i disagreed with the comparison made by an earlier commentator,
& that is my “legitomate argument”.

Well Michael it looks like you interpreted Barry’s comment incorrectly in the first place.

@ Justin Donoghue:
i’ve just re-read the comment in question.
the guy compared the alleged “abuse” to the two geezers for their ‘carry on’ in a public place, to the abuse of a person simply because of the colour of their skin.

as i stated earlier – THERE IS NO COMPARISON
a person can’t choose the colour of their skin
i don’t understand why you don’t seem to want to admit to understanding that.

Michael, Barry’s comment (which you responded to) was not about comparing the ‘carry on’ to racial abuse so I think you need to read his comment again. It was about comparing homophobic abuse to racial abuse which your response seemed to imply was different because people can’t choose the colour of their skin and therefore implied that people could choose their sexual orientation.

@ Justin Donoghue:
as reported – the geezers were not “abused” for being homosexuals, but for their ‘carry on’ in a public place.
i.m no expert, but AFIK people can’t choose their “sexual orientation”.
but – a person can choose how he behaves in public.

a person certainly can’t choose their skin colour, & even if one goes to the extremes of the late Michael Jackson, one can’t change it either.
that’s why I’m so opposed to racism.
that’s why I objected to the earlier comment, & to your vain attempts to defend it, & indeed your vain attempts to vilify me.

Michael, of course they were abused for being homosexuals, they were called faggots. If that’s not homophobic abuse then what is. Stop digging a hole for yourself.

Seriously, if the only worry you had in life was to be called a faggot, you must have a pretty easy life. Being called a faggot is NOT news. Consider if the people were not gay and the guard called them a faggot. The news title if any would be as follows: Two heterosexual men were called faggots today by a security guard….and now the weather!

And now we’ve come full circle.
Seriously, if the only worry you had in life was to be called a ni**er, you must have a pretty easy life. Being called a ni**er is NOT news. Consider if the people were not black and the guard called them a ni**er. The news title if any would be as follows: Two white men were called ni**ers today by a security guard….and now the weather!

The whole incident sprang out of a security guard demanding that “you faggots take it back to the George” and that “you faggots” leave the store. Whatever else happened afterwards sprang out of those vile and utterly unacceptable comments. That is the context here. An employee of Spar and Security Company decided to target a gay couple for homophobic abuse and for behaving in a way that if it involved a straight couple, no one would have batted an eye lid. That alone requires serious action on the part of Spar.

And LGBT people do not have to put up with that kind of abuse in these times and there is legal redress available if necessary. Much will depend on how the employers respond. And we’re still waiting for that…

Why?

To increase awareness in general and show society norms

People are aware of same sex couples and norms. Next we will have to have travelers, immigrants, dwarfs, amputees and every other group looking for notice. What makes same sex couples so special?

Totally agree, its in their policy, so if its in your policy don’t just state the diversity strategy…. show it

Well your personal hang-ups about gay men does not override the right of same-sex couples to display affection in public on exactly the same terms as anyone else. Just a shame there are still exists small minded people who insist on objecting to behaviour that straight people take for granted and engage in everyday. But I’m hopeful that education and a younger generation is changing that.

&adam I don’t have personal hang ups about gay people, should I be afraid to say I don’t like seeing men kiss in public because I don’t. I’ve no issues with people been gay that’s up to them but as I said I’m not going to abuse them just rather not see it

If you have no issues with gay men, then why feel the need to publicly express your discomfort towards them and any PDA….This comes down to being secure in ones sexuality. As a gay man, opposite sex couples showing affection towards each other is of no interest to me, but neither does it make me feel uncomfortable. And also because it is not my place to pass comment on something that is none of my business in the first place.

And more to the point, how you feel about gay men (and funny how it is always men…) is completely irrelevant in the context of this topic. Unless of course you are seeking to justify the security guard’s homophobic reaction to the couple involved – who again had as much right to express themselves in a way that straight people do all the time.

The original Facebook comment noted it was the security guard

I think you’ll find it says a security guard said it.

It’s pretty clear that from Spar’s statement that the security guard is an employee of a security company which has been contracted by the shop i.e.: not a member of Spar staff.

Well then in fairness its you who has the problem because kissing is the most natural thing in the world and if a couple in love have affection for each other then why not celebrate it rather than decry it ? And why hide it behind closed doors ?

Some of the reaction on here to kissing in public is because most of us in Ireland have been cultured for decades by the Catholic Church who taught us that sex is a dirty act. The Italians and Spanish have long ago thrown off the shackles of the Church which might go some way to explaining why they are so much more affectionate in public than we are here.

Look away if it bothers you, problem solved.

Ruth

I have only one thing to say

Male love not war!

Derek , Spain, Italy have a totally different culture to ours. Comparing is nonsense.

@Stephen Browner

So do you believe it is acceptable for members of staff to act out their prejudices to their hearts desire and without sanction, to abuse any member of a group in society they personally dislike…

Or is it just when the abuse is of a homophobic nature that we should all calm down, laugh it off and pretend businesses don’t have to adhere to equality legislation?

I’m pretty confident that the security guard gets plenty of abuse, left, right & center at that job for a multitude of reasons including race etc and I’m pretty confident he doesn’t go on face book trying to get people sacked etc. He said a nasty thing. That’s all. Also, we don’t know the whole story, so lets not crucify him yet please.

If what is being alleged is verified, then that is completely and utterly unacceptable and cannot be justified. A member of staff of any business does not get to call people “faggots” and demand that “you faggots” get out of the store. That amounts to a lot more than making a nasty remark. It is serious discrimination and is rightly illegal under our equality laws.The company itself has said it “abhors” prejudice, including on the grounds of sexual orientation. Now it must prove that without undue delay.

And finally, the background of the security guard in question could not be more irrelevant. This incident happened in Ireland – Irish laws and rules apply equally to everyone, regardless of race or nationality etc.

No they dont

Eh what planet are you living on of course they do, everywhere, it’s both a term of endearment and insult.

See I told ya, and I’m not even gay, quick someone help I’ve been discwiminated against!!

In what context has the word faggot ever been generally used as a term of endearment? It has had multiple meanings in its history, but I think you’ll struggle to show that it ever entered general use as something positive.