Speech by Cllr Ruth Wilson.
Conference,
Who could object to equality? Don’t we all want to be treated the same without distinction?
Equality is all about fairness and justice. Impartiality and even-handedness.
Or at least it should be.
Why, therefore, do Unionists in Northern Ireland and indeed conservatives across the world see it as a flag of convenience for those who want to take away their rights? Want to deny them justice? Want to treat them in a way which is anything but impartial or even handed?
Just two years ago Gerry Adams was recorded when off guard saying:
“What’s going to break them is equality. That’s what’s going to break them – equality.
“Who could be afraid of equality? Who could be afraid of treating somebody the way you want to be treated?
“That’s what we need to keep the focus on – that’s the Trojan horse of the entire republican strategy is to reach out to people on the basis of equality.”
And when you think about it hasn’t that already worked for Republicans in many ways?
The UDR had to go in the name of equality.
The RUC had to go in the name of equality.
Loyal Order parades have to be stopped in the name of equality.
The Union Flag had to come down off City Hall in the name of equality.
A sign wishing people Merry Christmas in Irish had to GO UP ON City Hall in the name of equality.
In recent times we have seen the persecution of the MacArthur family because they refused to be involved in the promotion of same sex marriage.
The case and verdict in and of itself would be bad enough but what is particularly outrageous is that it is YOUR tax money which paid for that persecution as the case was brought by the Equality Commission.
I am proud to be a member of a party which sought to slash the budget of the Equality Commission at Stormont. Shame on those who failed to support the proposal.
I am sure I speak for all here today when I say we have found the grace and courage of the MacArthur family inspirational and we wish them every success as they continue their battle as the case goes to the Supreme Court.
I am glad it isn’t all depressing news on the freedom of speech front. I am proud to be a member of Pastor James McConnell’s church and was delighted in the victory he won for religious expression and freedom of speech.
We hear many people claiming that Christians have nothing to fear from same sex marriage and that their rights will be respected if it ever comes to Northern Ireland. However, if Christians are being dragged before the courts over the issue before it is even legal in our Province what confidence can we have in such platitudes?
In a few days’ time the Assembly will decided on whether to give pardons to homosexuals convicted of offences which have now been removed from the statute book. Yet there is no suggestion that people convicted of other sexual offences which are now obsolete should receive the same treatment.
When it comes to equality it seems that some are more equal than others. Many in Northern Ireland will watch with interest to see who joins our leader in voting against this proposal at Stormont.
And then we have the issue of abortion.
It seems that every day there is an attack on Northern Ireland’s laws which protect the most vulnerable in our society.
Just this week a row erupted at the Northern Ireland Human Rights Festival’s decision to include a debate which would involve an organisation called Both Lives Matter.
As a result, the chairwoman reigned.
What does it say for ones commitment to equality when you cannot tolerate a view you don’t agree with being aired?
And when we are on the subject of abortion – don’t you think that Nicola Sturgeon should mind her own business? Just last week she said that she was considering offering abortions on the NHS to women who travelled from Northern Ireland.
It is ironic indeed that someone whose political career is based on the idea that Scotland should be independent from the UK should interfere in matters which are devolved to another region!
Friends, true equality should mean respect for freedom of belief. Yet that has been trampled upon by the Asher’s judgment.
True equality should mean tolerance for those who go to a religious service – even if you don’t like the fact that they wear a collaret.
True equality was the vision of the Ulster Covenant where another generation of Unionists pledged to defend “for ourselves and our children, our cherished position of equal citizenship in the United Kingdom”.
Equal citizenship, not special treatment for some as happens all too often or the denial of the most fundamental right as some would like to happen with abortion, is want true equality is about and that is what this party pledges itself to defend.