Iris Robinson's Excitable Speech: Sexuality and Conflict Transformation in Northern Ireland

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15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In the summer of 2008, the Westminster MP and Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Iris Robinson, made homophobic statements during interviews with the media. Robinson's anti-gay remarks highlight the continuing challenges for sexual politics in Northern Ireland. However, conflict transformation literature in the region has elided issues of sexuality. This article, drawing on elements of Judith Butler's analysis of injurious speech, assesses the issues that Robinson's homophobic speech highlights in relation to sexual equality in Northern Ireland. It concludes by assessing the role of conflict transformation literature in charting sexual politics in the region.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)20-27
JournalJournal of Politics
Volume29
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 2009

Keywords

  • LGB movements
  • Judith Butler
  • Hate speech
  • Northern Ireland
  • Conflict Transformation

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