Continuing the series of ‘watching them watching us’ coming up to the debate on the Civil Partnership Bill.

Tomorrow morning on Ocean FM in the North-West there will be a debate on Civil Partnership legislation between Izzy Kamikaze a ‘fearless’ local lesbian and Mary Doherty from  Renew, a fairly new organisation which was linked to the the Donegal Says No Campaign in the Lisbon Referendum. (You may remember the spat recently on Today with Pat Kenny’s Lisbon post mortem programme between the group and Jim McDaid TD.)

Renew was launched officially in May of this year and the launch was addressed by Most Rev Seamus Hegarty, Bishop of Derry, Dónal O’Sullivan-Latchford, Family and Media Association, Patrick McCrystal, Human Life International ,  Mary Doherty, Founder of RENEW. (Rumour has it Maman Poulet’s favourite columnist/not quite reactionary, David Quinn from the Iona Institute, was to be there too but I’m not sure if he made it!)

Mary Doherty is an interesting character having run for the Christian Solidarity Party in Donegal in the 2007 election. She is known locally for a number of campaigns including a picket outside a sex shop opened in Letterkenny.

Renew describes itself as a national group ‘valuing dignity and reviving morality’.  The campaign issues for the group include

The promotion and protection of marriage and family life

To influence government legislation which protects and supports family life

The teaching of sex education is primarily the role of the parent and must be taught in accordance with Catholic principles which always respects the child’s natural modesty

The protection of children against sexualisation by the media and the entertainment and commercial industries.

To end the commercialization of human sexuality and the objectification of women through the media, sex industries and on the internet

To lobby the government to strengthen the obscenity laws and to impose heavy sanctions for the breaking of those laws

The regulation of the media and advertising industry by an impartial body, independent of the industries concerned

The interview is due to take place at 9.10am tomorrow on Oceanfm (102.5fm locally and also available online).  If you feel inspired to take part you can text 083 3500 530 tel 0818 365 500 or email studio@oceanfm.ie