…here are aware that anti-trans rhetoric is unpopular & will lead to significant issues with activists calling them out. LGBTQ activists, working with other minorities, can damage the prospects of any political party.

There is no significant anti-trans movement in Ireland, despite the right wing press actively trying to import UK style ‘trans panic’. Irish people are generally uninfluenced by our media as we have an anti-authoritarian culture. There is no trans healthcare & support is low, but govts…

…was said. I checked that my civics lesson for the Phillipino medical team made sense & they all looked pleased to see the system wasn’t based on racism, just controlling the English! They then talked of US colonisation of their country. A fascinating discussion whilst I couldn’t see!

The final part was the presidential election. A senior British civil servant was quite put out that Brits couldn’t vote in the Irish presidential elections. His Irish opposite number pointed out that Irish people couldn’t vote in the election of their King/Queen. The point was taken & no more…

…was said. I checked that my civics lesson for the Phillipino medical team made sense & they all looked pleased to see the system wasn’t based on racism, just controlling the English! They then talked of US colonisation of their country. A fascinating discussion whilst I couldn’t see!

The final part was the presidential election. A senior British civil servant was quite put out that Brits couldn’t vote in the Irish presidential elections. His Irish opposite number pointed out that Irish people couldn’t vote in the election of their King/Queen. The point was taken & no more…

…seems unlikely that enough Northern Irish unionists would get Irish passports in order to interfere with Irish elections. But who knows what the thinking was. This exclusion seems likely to end for Northern Ireland. Ironically quite a few NI Unionists got Irish passports to avoid Brexit!

For the reunification of the United Kingdom & outvote Irish people. It seems unlikely but that’s the rough logic. The same was true for Northern Irish citizens getting referenda or presidential voting rights. If enough of them voted they might change some fundamental approach - again it…

The reason that non-Republicans of Ireland citizens can’t vote in referenda or for the president is down to Anglo-Irish relations & the Treaty. Any British citizen can move to Ireland & vote if resident. The fear was that if enough Brits came they go vote in a referendum & for instance push..

Worth noting that knuckle-dusters are illegal in the Republic & should be reported to the Gardaí on 1800 666 111 [Garda confidential]. Knuckledusters are also illegal in Northern Ireland. You can report this crime anonymously using Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Camouflage was a theme…

No, first time that one attended as first minister of Northern Ireland.

If there is one global lesson from Irish history it is to never trust the idea of authoritarianism, but to appreciate expertise & solidarity. Each of us here, knows that democracy is protected by the individual, not the authorities.

We can be cynical of our politics as a people, however if we look at the two nations we are closest to, the UK & the USA, our series of risings, wars, activism & fight against theocracy have taught us the value of anti-authoritarianism & helped us escape the fascism now dominating our cousins.

The Proclamation of the Irish Republic in 1916 is seminal in who we are as a people. That ‘cherish’ line is from it. My ancestor witnessed it be called out in 1916 in front of the GPO

… General Michael Collins, to free Ireland from the tyranny of colonial rule, it moves me deeply to see this nation continue to strive to be by the ppl, for the ppl. We have a long way to go, but today is a milestone in that fight to cherish all the children of the nation equally.

…centre of the photo is Michael D Higgins, Statesman & former President. His 14y term ended at Midnight. Both Connolly & Higgins are socialists from the West of Ireland & held in enormous esteem by the Irish people & the Irish diaspora.

When I think of the work of my great grand uncle, …