The story of the day is that Minister for Health Leo Varadkar spoke openly this morning on RTE radio with Miriam O’Callaghan about his personal life and during the interview he said he’s a gay man. Some people think this shouldn’t be a headline story especially when they see more pressing issues that need attention in Ireland. I understand where they are coming from but for me today is a historic day.
The general tone of people’s reaction on the RTE news and on social media has been one of “fair play” and “pity it’s still newsworthy” as well as the humorous “I can’t believe Leo Varadkar is only 36”. He actually has achieved lots to be proud of in just 36 years – doctor, County Councillor, TD and Minister for Health – and coming out today and receiving the overwhelmingly positive reaction that he has is something I have no doubt he will look back at in future years with a deep sense of satisfaction.
I see today as a historic day for many reasons. I remember going home for lunch from Clondalkin library where I was working the day in June 1993 when homosexuality was decriminalised in Ireland. I jumped with joy and cried when I heard about it on the RTE lunchtime news but had to rapidly compose myself when my mother came home from the shops. I knew I was gay that day (and had for many years) but it would be 8 more months before I would finally come out to a few friends and my family. It meant so much to me to hear homosexuality had been decriminalised that day and gave me hope that things could be better than I presumed they would be up to that point. The message I got that day was, maybe people won’t see being gay as a bad thing and won’t reject me and maybe I can open up about being gay. It was only a part of the story of how and why I came out in 1994 but a very important part nonetheless.
While the decriminalisation of homosexuality is very different from a high-profile figure in Irish society coming out as gay, both have enormous social significance and positive repercussions for gay people. Clearly decriminalisation is a major development in any society and as I write this there are approximately 76 countries worldwide where decriminalisation of homosexuality is yet to happen with penalties ranging from imprisonment to death. The decriminalisation of homosexuality 22 years ago in Ireland was a turning point which has been followed by enormous progress for gay people. I think the social significance of today’s news is perhaps missed by people who say it’s not newsworthy because “who cares if you’re gay” or “my child is sick and we’re on a long waiting list for treatment”. It’s great that more and more people don’t care if others are gay but the Minister for health saying he’s gay is newsworthy in Ireland of 2015. It mightn’t be in 2025 but today it clearly still is. It’s true that we have a number of serious problems in our health service that the Minister needs to address but this doesn’t mean the Minister saying he’s gay isn’t very newsworthy either.
I’m sure that all over Ireland today there are parents of young people who’ve recently come out as gay or who they expect will be coming out in the future, who are greatly heartened by Minister Varadkar’s disclosure. The message is clear to them that they can aspire for their child to grow up and do whatever they want when they’re older and their child can aspire to hold one of the highest offices in the land (or perhaps the highest if predictions of Leo’s political trajectory are correct).
I’ve no doubt also that there are gay girls and boys and women and men all over Ireland who will benefit directly or indirectly from Leo Varadkar saying today that he’s gay. Yes it’s true that the majority of Irish adults now think being gay is as normal as being straight (whatever normal is) but today’s news shows that Irish society has taken another step forward on our incremental attitudinal evolution such that it’s okay to say publicly you are gay if you are the Minister for Health. The core message is, if the Minister for Health is gay then anyone can be gay and if the Minister of Health is gay then gay people can aspire to do whatever they want with their lives.
Attitudes are changing in Ireland and this is a good thing that makes me happy but we have further to travel on this journey. By coming out publicly Minister Varadkar has created a very useful talking point that can spark constructive conversation in classrooms, canteens and clubs all over the country. My hope is that we will see an increase in students and teachers, workers and managers, and athletes and coaches in every community in Ireland taking a zero-tolerance stand against homophobic attitudes and behaviour. It is time that schools, workplaces and sport clubs become fully inclusive places for gay boys and girls and gay men and women. I also hope that gay people of all ages and in every community will be encouraged to be themselves and to come out whenever feels right for them with the support of those in their life. And I really hope the same happens for our younger and older citizens who identify as bisexual and transgender but it seems to we that we have a lot further to go in achieving a zero-tolerance stand against biphobic and transphobic attitudes and behaviour in Ireland.
I’m grateful for Leo Varadkar’s refreshing openness. Before today I saw him as a straight-talking politician (excuse the pun) who doesn’t hide behind spin. The manner in which he has opened up about his private life has to be admired and especially because it was done in a clear and straightforward way. Today he went far beyond what should be required by a public figure and the fact that he seems to have been motivated by a need for honesty and authenticity makes him saying “I am a gay man” all the more admirable and significant. It’s significance shouldn’t be missed as even Leo himself couldn’t have done what he did today 10 years ago nor would he have without seriously damaging his political career.
Of course there is a lot more that needs to happen before gay people experience full equality in Ireland and there is even further to go for this to be achieved for bisexual and transgender people. The Child and Family Relationship Bill, the Gender Recognition Bill and the upcoming referendum on same-sex marriage will be key high-level milestones. As today’s news shows however, it is attitudinal change – changing people’s hearts and minds – that can bring profound and lasting social change that improves citizens’ lives. Because most people are okay with it, Leo Varadkar felt able to be open and say he’s gay. Here’s to us continuing Ireland’s incremental attitudinal evolution for the good of all citizen’s and residents including for people with disabilities, those living in poverty, Travellers, pregnant women, those dependent on alcohol and drugs, immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, the homeless and so on.
© Odhrán Allen 2015
@odhranallen 