Just to give a little context to this video, Panti Noble is a rather famous drag queen here in Ireland. As we're gearing up for a referendum on marriage equality next year, the issue has been debated quite a lot in the public sphere. A few weeks ago, on a national TV interview, Panti called out certain public figures (who are active campaigners against marriage equality) and labelled them as homophobes. The ensuing media coverage has been unbelievable, and is alluded to in the speech, and there's almost a sense here now that said 'homophobes' are the victims and it's become something of a 'dirty' word or a horrendous slur that should no longer be used. He has been the subject of quite a bit of vilification and the 'victims' were supposedly, and very swiftly, given significant payouts by the TV station, RTE (which is tax payer funded) for their troubles. This is a really eloquent and moving speech that he's just recently given about homophobia. Panti's Noble Call at the Abbey Theatre - YouTube [YOUTUBE]WXayhUzWnl0[/YOUTUBE]
This is unbelievably eloquent, and powerful, a veritable cri de coeur that should be repeated and spread everywhere! I loved his characterization of people who engage in "reasonable debates" about our right to be treated equally.
I sent this video to the Editor-at-large for Upworthy. Hopefully they'll share it on their site and Facebook page so the video will reach millions
