Date: Thursday 12th March

Time: 7pm

Location:  Kirwan Theatre

This week, we are tackling one of the more controversial debates of the last 30 years in Ireland. Homosexuality. The subject is still a taboo for a lot of people. Has political correctness gone too far in accepting homosexuals into society?

That This House Believes Homosexuality Should Not Be Practised. Despite our open and generally accepting modern society, there are still those that look down upon homosexuals. They see it as a dirty unnatural and sinful way of life. The question is, are they right? Two men or two women can't naturally reproduce, so is it the way things were meant to be? Can "gay" be cured or treated? And if it can, should it? Should love be left alone no matter what form it takes, and peoples privacy and choice respected?



All are welcome to have their voice heard in the Kirwan Theatre this Thursday at 7pm. Food and drink reception to follow in Paddy's Bar, Prospect Hill (opposite Cuba*)

Speaking in favour of the motion is Mike Davidson from Core Issues who, according to their website,
"Is an online learning community for Christian men and women emerging from homosexual problems who seek to live according to Biblical standards and in fellowship with the church. The site is also a place to assist those who support such individuals with these goals, who believe change is possible.The site distinguishes between non-gay homosexual (men and women with homosexual problems) and those who choose to identify as 'Gay' who embrace this lifestyle. "http://learning.core-issues.org/

Speaking against the motion is Jeremy Marks who is an evangelical Christian who founded an ex-gay ministry called Courage UK in 1988. He also served as President of Exodus International Europe. In 2000, in spite of opposition and ostracism from the evangelical community, Marks transformed Courage UK into a gay-affirming evangelical ministry. Today Courage UK serves gay and lesbian Christians seeking a safe space to reconcile their faith and sexuality. http://www.courage.org.uk/ His public apology can be found here http://www.beyondexgay.com/article/jeremyapology

The inspiration for this debate came from the ongoing public discourse between some religious groups, who encourage gay and lesbian people to give up homosexuality for reasons based on a reading of scripture and offer therapy and guidance in doing this, and Gay Rights groups and other religious organisations who say that homosexuality is not something to want to be rid of, even if one could be. This debate raises many questions about the morality of sex and love, identity and how sexuality fits into that, it also asks the question is it right to offer a "cure" to homosexuality, even if there isn't such a thing, to people who genuinely do not want to be gay?