February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Steven King, who works as an advisor to the UUP leader, David Trimble, recently married his long-standing companion.
King is reported to have tied the knot at a ceremony in Canada before honeymooning in New York, prompting Paisley, the DUP’s justice spokesman, to express his “amazement” and disgust.
In the 1970s and ’80s, Paisley’s father, the DUP leader, unsuccessfully campaigned against the legalization of homosexuality under the banner “Save Ulster from Sodomy” and cited the Bible in his support.
After protracted legal action by gay rights campaigners at the European Court of Human Rights, however, legislation already legalizing homosexuality in Britain was finally extended to Northern Ireland.
There has been a worrying upsurge, however, of homophobic attacks, particularly in Belfast and Derry in recent months, with the police and gay-rights activists calling for more understanding and education.
After the news of King’s move broke in Belfast, Paisley Jr. expressed his disapproval, saying he believed the majority of people in Northern Ireland would share his concerns.
Paisley said the marriage was “really astounding” and it showed “the character” of the people advising the Ulster Unionist Party leader.
“I think these sort of relationships are immoral, offensive and obnoxious,” he said. “For David Trimble to tolerate these sexual tastes is simply amazing.” The Ulster Unionist councilor Chris McGimpsey said, however, that the younger Paisley was guilty of political opportunism. He said that King’s homosexuality was well known and Paisley had not spoken out against it before.
The Progressive Unionist Party leader, David Ervine, went further and said he had personally seen King and Paisley enjoying friendly conversations at Stormont and in TV studios before without any problem.
Controversial former Catholic priest Pat Buckley called Paisley a “dinosaur” and said most people in the North were happy to “live and let live.” He said gay people had the right to work and it was not morally defensible to fire someone merely because of their sexual preference.