An interesting, if unsurprising, feature of Northern Irish society over the past 20 years is the unity of Catholic and Protestant bigots on matters sexual. JOHN MAGEE, from People's Democracy - the Irish section of the Fourth International -looks at the issue. This article originally appeared in An Reabhloid, the bi-monthly journal of PD. THIS unity surfaces every time there is a suggestion that people in Ireland should have the opportunity to be as informed about sexuality as other European peoples It matters not what the intensity of sectarian conflict may be on her t Nothing 1s allowed to stand in the way of the blessca crusade to keep the sopulace ignoran down on a daily basis by Loyalist squads the Catholic hierarchy and lan Paisley's Free (sic) Presbyterians are mounting a campaign against the opening of a Brooke Advisory Clinic in Bel fast.
The opening is at the invitation of the local Health and Social Services Board. It reflects krowink concern nealth professionals at the he caence or seenese pranorance that many roung people displayed about It was recognised that these same young people were the last to seek advice from their family doctors or the statutory Independent voluntary agency, confidentiality, young people.
The religious approach to sex education in Ireland is to deny sex exists or to surround it with a fog of nonsense. A recent survey in County Cork gave a disturbing insight into what children are taught.
cenagers said how they hac been told by a prest that a gi could become pregnant by sit.
The survey the 14 and 15 year olds interviewed knew a young girl in their class who had become pregnant.
Another survey examining the attitudes of Trish women who seckabortion revealed that the main resson those women chose abortion was their 'fear and shame of having a child outside marriage. It also showed that young Irish women who became pregnant outside marriage felt isolated in having to cope with the situation alone.
The 'progressive' wing of the church, if such be possible, of course admits the need for sex education - but only as a reparation for marriage he coordinator of the Mar riage and Family ministry in the Catholic diocese of Down and Connor, covering the greater Belfast area, claims that 'sex adled education for prop end called 'education for and is 'much more than information or facts'. He wants sex educathe Christian vision of human life and sexuality!
It is this same 'vision' which seeks to terrorise Irish women.
елеткепсану nobilised all the dregs of Irish to prohibit divorce in the 26 counties, to outlaw not just a woman's right to choose Sex is definitely not his cup of tea but the 'information or facts' that would allow women to make A campaign has been set up and feminists by socsalists support the Health Board's invitation to the Brooke advisory service. Resolutons are being put to trade union branches and com proups drink sur port for this initiative. Letters supporting the Health Board's decision should be sent to: Dr. Gabriel Scally. Director of Public Health. Eastern Health and Social Services Board, Linenhall Street, Belfast 1.
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