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DV8's To Be Straight With You includes her 'loathsome' remark
Doesn't like the gays...
MP who described homosexuality as 'vile' snubs gay play invite
Iris Robinson, the Democratic Unionist MP who described homosexuality as "vile", has turned down an invitation to see a play about homophobia, despite, or perhaps because, it incorporates her infamous opinions.
The voice of Robinson on BBC Radio Ulster's Stephen Nolan Show will be included in DV8's To Be Straight With You, a dance theatre production to be staged at this year's Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen's.
In June of last year, Robinson told listeners that homosexuality was "disgusting, loathsome, nauseating, wicked and vile", an "abomination" that could be "cured" by therapy, saying: "I have a very lovely psychiatrist who works with me in my offices and his Christian background is that he tries to help homosexuals - trying to turn away from what they are engaged in."
In the same month, Robinson, the wife of Northern Ireland's First Minister, Peter Robinson, said in an interview with the Belfast Telegraph that she was "repulsed" by homosexuality, and regarded it as "comparable" to child sex abuse.
Lloyd Newson, the play's director, told the Belfast Telegraph he was disappointed by Robinson's rejection of the invitation.
Robinson's office had told the producers: "Thank you for your invitation and kind offer of tickets. Mrs Robinson will not be able to attend the Belfast event, as she already has engagements in her diary for those dates.
"Thank you again for contacting us. Best wishes."
