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Being gay 'no big deal' says Republic minister

The republic's health minister Leo Varadkar 
The republic's health minister Leo Varadkar  The republic's health minister Leo Varadkar 

THE Republic's health minister Leo Varadkar last night received widespread praise after publicly revealing that he is gay.

The Fine Gael politician, who turned 36 yesterday, spoke about his sexuality in a radio interview as he became the first cabinet minister in Ireland to be openly gay.

The Dubliner said he wanted to be honest with the public ahead of a number of high-profile political decisions, including a referendum on gay marriage later this year.

Fellow politicians and public figures offered their support for his decision last night.

"I am a gay man, it's not a secret, but not something that everyone would necessarily know but isn't something I've spoken publicly about before," Mr Varadkar told RTE Radio.

He insisted his sexual orientation would not influence his actions in office.

"To me it is not a big deal, I hope it is not a big deal for people.

"There are people a lot braver than me, but I wanted to do it. I suppose I felt as a public figure I should say it.

"I want the next generation to feel that they don't have to do an inter-view like this."

Mr Varadkar, who is seen as one of the strongest contenders to succeed Taoiseach Enda Kenny as Fine Gael leader, said he had chosen to speak publicly about his sexuality because he is now comfortable doing so, but also because of political considerations.

"We've legislation coming forward this year about surrogacy, for example, and also a decision has to be made on whether we lift or relax the ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood," he told the Miriam O'Callaghan programme.

He added that Mr Kenny, who in December visited a gay bar for his party's LGBT Christmas party, had welcomed his decision to come out.

The Gay and Lesbian Equality Network in Ireland (GLEN) last night praised the minister's "courage".

Chairman Kieran Rose said: "Minister Varadkar talking open-ly about being gay will be a very important source of support for LGBT people and for their parents and families.

"It will help to further change Ireland so that nobody faces rejection because of who they are or who they love".

Fine Gael Cork South Central TD Jerry Buttimer, who revealed he was gay two years ago, also said he was "very proud" of Mr Varadkar.

The news came as Pope Francis claimed that allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry could lead to the destruction of traditional families headed by a mother and father.

The Pontiff told a mass rally in the Filipino capital Manila on Saturday: "The family is threatened by growing efforts on the part of some to redefine the very institution of marriage by relativism, by the culture of the ephemeral, by a lack of openness to life.

"These realities are increasingly under attack from powerful forces which threaten to disfigure God's plan to creation."

* 'IT'S NOT A SECRET': The Republic's health minister Leo Varadkar yesterday spoke about his sexuality in a radio interview with Miriam O'Callaghan