An entry to Newstalk’s #OpenToAll contest has sparked controversy about Irish employment law and gay rights, and attracted a wave of support on social media.
The #OpenToAll competition offers the chance to win a wedding package worth €20,000, with entrants having to send in a video of them lip-syncing a song, with the top five entries going to a public vote.
‘Pixel’, as she has called herself, entered the competition with partner Caoimhe with her face pixelated in all but a few close-up shots in order to not reveal her identity. Caoimhe has explained this on Twitter, saying it is necessary as ‘Pixel’, as a gay woman, could jeopardise her career as a primary school teacher if her sexuality is known publicly.
@slatterys vote Caoimhe & Pixel local gay finalists in #opentoall Newstalk marriage competition.Pixel is disguised as she's a teacher!
— Caoimhe Hickey (@quavercrisp) February 11, 2015
Under Section 37 of the Employment Equality Act, a gay teacher in a Catholic Church run school could find their career at risk if their sexuality was known by their employer, as it could be seen to be “undermining the religious ethos of the institution.” Section 37 permits certain institutions to “protect their ethos” and “discriminate positively” to do so.
The video has attracted a wave of controversy online, with opinions ranging from anger at the effects of Section 37, to claims that a political statement is being made with the video.
Minister of State at the Department of Justice Aodhán Ó Ríordáin told The Irish Times that “people should be horrified to live in a country where people think they have to pixelate their faces in a competition to protect their jobs.”
John Lyons, Labour TD for Dublin North West, spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning about the case and stated: "I genuinely don't think she would lose her job, I think it would make things difficult for her.
"It's that chilling effect, the feeling that you can't be completely comfortable with yourself."
You can view all five finalists in the #OpenToAll competition here.
Voting in the #OpenToAll competition closes tomorrow (Thursday) at 4.30pm, with the winner being announced on Fridays Moncrieff show.
