SDLP Youth today congratulated Patricia Lewsley MLA on her appointment as Children’s Commissioner.

SDLP Youth University & Colleges Officer Peter Armstrong said: “It is excellent news to hear that the position of Children’s Commission has been filled by such an excellent candidate.

”Patricia has played a huge part most recently as SDLP Equality spokesperson, but also as a councillor and an MLA. She has worked tirelessly for her community on local issues and for equality issues throughout the North. She was former Chair of the All Party Working Group for Children. She has campaigned on gender equality, special needs, children’s rights, childcare and domestic violence.

”SDLP Youth wish Patricia every success in her new job. We are confident that Patricia will do a brilliant job at representing the needs and rights of young people, and promoting youth issues.”

”SDLP Youth have organised a meeting with the Children’s Commissioner on 22nd January 2007, and we are delighted that we shall be meeting with Patricia.”

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Irish News TV - Patricia Lewsley

SDLP Youth today protested against the DUP motion to deny gays and lesbians protection against discrimination. In the Assembly, the SDLP voted for equality and against a DUP motion.

SDLP Youth University & Colleges Officer Peter Armstrong said: “In opposing the Equality Act the DUP are supporting discrimination, intolerance, bigotry and homophobia.

“SDLP Youth are saying the scare tactics created by the DUP are untrue and completely unacceptable. Contrary to what has been claimed, the Equality Act will not prevent the teaching of religious beliefs.

”This is not against religion. This won’t stop any religious teaching in school. Its main aim is to prevent bullying against young people in school because of their sexual orientation. It allows those who identify as gay or lesbian the same rights as anyone else. SDLP Youth strongly believe that every citizen should have the same equal rights.”

SDLP Equality spokesperson Patricia Lewsley said:
“All these regulations do is protect people from discrimination. They ensure that gays and lesbians have the same basic rights as the rest of us.

“So, just as it is illegal to refuse to serve a person in a bar because of their religion or gender, it will be illegal to refuse to serve a person because of their sexual orientation.

“In opposing these regulations, the DUP are showing themselves to be the Discriminating as Usual Party. They want to deny gays and lesbians basic equal rights. That is just wrong.

“There have been a lot of scare tactics about these regulations.

“The proof of all this is that the South has had similar laws for the last 6 years without any bother or surprises.

“That is why the SDLP will be opposing the DUP’s motion. These regulations have been laid before Parliament and should enter into force at the beginning of next year as planned.”

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The DUP have brought a motion opposing the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) NI Regulations 2006. These regulations are designed to outlaw discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation in good, services, accommodation, education and public services.

Similar legislation already applies in the South – the Equal Status Act 2000.

The regulations do not interfere with the right of a school to provide religious instruction. What they are designed to do is protect gay and lesbian pupils against harassment and bullying.

Equally, the regulations do not oblige churches to marry gays or lesbians or oblige them to rent out religious or other non-commercial property to gays or lesbians. (See further regulation 16).

Dear Friend,

I would like to extend an invitation to you to attend a seminar the SDLP is hosting in Belfast on Thursday 7th December 2006. Its title is “We Shall Overcome, Civil Rights: Past, Present and Future.” It will discuss historical civil rights movements here in Northern Ireland and around the world, current civil and human rights’ challenges and what is to come.

It will be held in the Queens University Student Union from 9:30 to 2:45 in the afternoon. Speakers include Paddy O’Hanlon, Denis Haughey, Monica Wilson, Mark Durkan, Alasdair McDonnell and more. Lunch and refreshments will be provided

If you wish to attend please RSVP as soon as possible as places are limited.

Yours in solidarity,
SDLP Youth

SDLP Youth University & Colleges Officer Peter Armstrong has called on young people to wear a red ribbon to raise awareness of HIV and help end prejudice.

Peter said, “World AIDS Day is a time to remember that 40 million people worldwide are living with AIDS. That’s 60,000 people in the UK living with HIV and 7,000 more diagnosed with HIV this year. However HIV is an entirely preventable disease – it is important that young people know how to protect themselves from HIV and Aids.”

“SDLP Youth have been campaigning on sexual health for some time. To protect against HIV and other STDs there needs to be consistent and proper use of condoms. World Aids Day aims to increase awareness and prevent more people from getting HIV.

“Young people in the North seem to have ‘it will not happen to me’ syndrome. This attitude has to change. We need a new culture were young people feel free to talk about sexual health and visit sexual health clinics on a regular basis. The longer STD’s remain untreated the more the risks increase. I urge young people to wear a red ribbon on World Aids Day to show their support for this campaign.”