View source for David Norris (politician)

{{Short description|Irish former politician, academic and civil rights activist (born 1944)}}
{{pp-pc}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|image        = David Norris politician.jpg
|caption      = Norris in 2011
|office       = [[Seanad Éireann|Senator]]
|term_start   = 25 April 1987
|term_end     = 22 January 2024
|constituency = [[Dublin University (constituency)|Dublin University]]
|birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1944|07|31|df=y}}
|birth_place  = [[Kinshasa|Léopoldville]], [[Belgian Congo]]<br />{{small|(now [[Kinshasa]], [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|DR Congo]])}}
|death_date   =
|death_place  =
|party        = [[Independent politician (Ireland)|Independent]]
|education    = {{ubl|[[St Andrew's College, Dublin|St. Andrew's College]]|[[The High School, Dublin|The High School]]}}
|alma_mater   = [[Trinity College Dublin]]
|profession   = {{Hlist|[[Scholar]]|[[Academic staff|Academic]]|[[Politician]]}}
|website      = {{URL|senatordavidnorris.ie}}
|office2      = Senior Lecturer of English<br />[[Trinity College Dublin]]
|term_start2  = 1968
|term_end2    = 1996
|module       = {{Listen
|embed        = yes
|title        = David Norris' voice
|filename     = David Norris recites Yeats.webm
|description  = Norris recites a speech by [[W. B. Yeats]] on the topic of divorce}}
}}
'''David Patrick Bernard Norris''' (born 31 July 1944)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Happy Birthday David Norris! |url=https://www.newstalk.com/newstalk-breakfast/happy-birthday-david-norris-693609 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517011524/https://www.newstalk.com/newstalk-breakfast/happy-birthday-david-norris-693609 |archive-date=17 May 2021 |access-date=17 May 2021 |website=Newstalk}}</ref> is an Irish scholar, former [[Independent politician (Ireland)|independent]] [[Seanad Éireann|Senator]], and [[civil rights]] [[activism|activist]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=David's Story |url=https://senatordavidnorris.ie/meet-david/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228182701/https://senatordavidnorris.ie/meet-david/ |archive-date=28 February 2021 |access-date=26 September 2023 |website=Senator David Norris}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Can a former IRA commander lead Ireland? |url=http://news.salon.com/2011/09/27/ira_leader_ireland/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427103245/http://www.news.salon.com/2011/09/27/ira_leader_ireland/ |archive-date=27 April 2012 |work=[[Salon.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Can David Norris still become Ireland's first gay president? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-14882512 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124001125/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-14882512 |archive-date=24 November 2018 |work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 September 2011 |title=David Norris wins Irish presidency nomination |url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/sep/28/david-norris-irish-presidency-nomination |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517011718/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/sep/28/david-norris-irish-presidency-nomination |archive-date=17 May 2021 |access-date=17 May 2021 |website=[[The Guardian]] |language=en}}</ref> Internationally, Norris is credited with having "managed, almost single-handedly, to overthrow the anti-homosexuality law which brought about the downfall of [[Oscar Wilde]]", a feat he achieved in 1988 after a fourteen-year campaign.<ref name="McKittrick-SydneyMorningHerald">{{Cite web |date=28 October 1988 |title=Reformer Recognises the Importance of Being Earnest |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HytWAAAAIBAJ&pg=1584,6788419&dq=george+gay+david+norris+dublin&hl=en |website=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]}}</ref> He has also been credited with being "almost single-handedly responsible for rehabilitating [[James Joyce]] in once disapproving Irish eyes".<ref name="roddydoyle-ulysses" />

Norris is a former university lecturer and was a member of the [[Oireachtas]], serving in [[Seanad Éireann]] from 1987 to 2024.<ref name="oireachtas_db">{{Cite web |title=David Norris |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/member/David-PB-Norris.S.1987-04-25/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913114929/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/member/David-PB-Norris.S.1987-04-25/ |archive-date=13 September 2018 |access-date=17 February 2008 |website=Oireachtas Members Database}}</ref> He was the first [[Coming out|openly]] [[Homosexuality|gay]] person to be elected to public office in Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Norris meets with pols, LGBT activists in New York |url=http://www.irishemigrant.com/ie/go.asp?p=story&storyID=9079 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009182923/http://www.irishemigrant.com/ie/go.asp?p=story&storyID=9079 |archive-date=9 October 2011 |access-date=24 July 2011 |website=[[The Irish Emigrant]]}}</ref> A founder of the [[Campaign for Homosexual Law Reform]], he is also a prominent member of the Protestant [[Church of Ireland]].

He was a candidate for [[President of Ireland]] in the [[2011 Irish presidential election|2011 election]]. He topped numerous opinion polls and was favourite among members of the Irish public for the position but withdrew from the race months before the election,<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 January 2011 |title=Norris tops President poll |url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/norris-tops-president-poll-2490541.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802172025/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/norris-tops-president-poll-2490541.html |archive-date=2 August 2012 |work=[[Irish Independent]]}}</ref><ref name="RTE">{{Cite news |date=10 January 2011 |title=David Norris ahead in Red C presidential poll |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0110/norrisd.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112203218/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0110/norrisd.html |archive-date=12 January 2011 |access-date=17 March 2011 |work=[[RTÉ News]]}}</ref> before returning to the race in September 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 September 2011 |title=David Norris planning Aras comeback |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/david-norris-planning-aras-comeback-16051172.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730191402/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/david-norris-planning-aras-comeback-16051172.html |archive-date=30 July 2012 |work=[[The Belfast Telegraph]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Payne |first=Jonny |date=18 September 2011 |title=David Norris re-enters Irish presidential race |url=http://news.pinkpaper.com/NewsStory/6065/18/09/2011/david-norris-re-enters-irish-presidential-race-.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309092908/http://news.pinkpaper.com/NewsStory/6065/18/09/2011/david-norris-re-enters-irish-presidential-race-.aspx |archive-date=9 March 2012 |work=[[Pink Paper]]}}</ref> In January 2024 he retired from the Seanad after 36 years service, making him the longest serving senator in Irish history.

==Early and personal life==
David Norris was born in Léopoldville in the [[Belgian Congo]], now known as [[Kinshasa]], capital of the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]], where his father (John Norris) worked as chief engineer for [[Lever Brothers]].<ref name="sundaytimes" /> John Norris served in the [[British Armed Forces]] during [[World War I]] and [[World War II]]; he died while Norris was still a child. David Norris was then sent to Ireland to be cared for by his mother, Aida Fitzpatrick, and her extended family.<ref name="sundaytimes" />

::...while, on hearing his dad had died, he "had to squeeze out tears" because they were never that close, the death of his mother, was "totally heartbreaking".

::"It destroyed my sense of reality," he adds, now. "This was somebody I loved who was there one minute, then the next minute she was gone."<ref name="independent1">{{Cite news |date=22 May 2011 |title=All my life, I have fought against being labelled and against stigma |url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/all-my-life-i-have-fought-against-being-labelled-and-against-stigma-2654239.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218002000/http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/all-my-life-i-have-fought-against-being-labelled-and-against-stigma-2654239.html |archive-date=18 February 2013 |access-date=28 September 2011 |work=[[Irish Independent]]}}</ref>

After first meeting in 1975, Norris was in a long-term relationship with Israeli activist [[Ezra Nawi]] for a number of years until 1985.<ref name="radical" /> They continued a platonic friendship after that. In a [[Today FM]] interview with [[Matt Cooper (Irish journalist)|Matt Cooper]] in Summer 2011 Norris said (paraphrasing{{who|date=September 2011}}) "nowadays people think of a romantic relationship as a sexual one and Ezra and myself have not had that kind of relationship since the 1980s."{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

==Education and academic career==
Norris attended school at [[St Andrew's College, Dublin|St. Andrew's College]] and [[The High School, Dublin|The High School]]. He then entered [[Trinity College Dublin]], to read for the degree of [[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]] in English Literature and Language, where he was [[List of Scholars of Trinity College Dublin|elected a Foundation Scholar]] in 1965 in that subject before achieving a 1st Class Moderatorship in 1967 and editing ''[[Icarus (magazine)|Icarus]]'', the university literary magazine. He remained at Trinity as a lecturer and college tutor between 1968 and 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |title=David Norris, Senator and human rights activist, Dublin, Ireland |url=http://www.senatordavidnorris.ie/1bio.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927235614/http://www.senatordavidnorris.ie/1bio.htm |archive-date=27 September 2011 |access-date=6 October 2011}}</ref> His love of James Joyce is borne out in Dublin's annual [[Bloomsday]] celebrations.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 June 2003 |title=A morning for the stout-hearted, by Jiminy |url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/a-morning-for-the-stouthearted-by-jiminy-25943368.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507223431/http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/a-morning-for-the-stouthearted-by-jiminy-25943368.html |archive-date=7 May 2016 |access-date=24 March 2017 |work=[[Irish Independent]] |quote=Beautiful, sinister, melodic, whispering," enthused Senator David Norris. Oh yes. He was there, being very David Norris and wearing a very fetching hat. Fedora, David? "A genuine Imperial Stetson, dated Chicago 1930," he brayed.}}</ref> He defended Joyce's novel ''[[Ulysses (novel)|Ulysses]]'' when writer [[Roddy Doyle]] said it was "overlong, overrated and unmoving", calling Doyle a "foolish" and "moderate talent".<ref name="roddydoyle-ulysses">{{Cite news |last=Chrisafis |first=Angelique |date=10 February 2004 |title=Overlong, overrated and unmoving: Roddy Doyle's verdict on James Joyce's Ulysses |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/feb/10/booksnews.ireland |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325030453/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/feb/10/booksnews.ireland |archive-date=25 March 2017 |access-date=11 December 2016 |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=London}}</ref> He speaks [[Irish language|Irish]] and [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lord |first=Miriam |date=29 September 2011 |title=Pious waffle and touchy-feely aspirations set charisma-free tone as seven face off |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0929/1224304934281.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001200153/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0929/1224304934281.html |archive-date=1 October 2011 |access-date=2 October 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]] |quote=David Norris made a dramatic opening. "I am tempered steel! I have been through the fire!" He also provided the highlight of the hour-long discussion when he suddenly appeared to take an alarming turn, lapsing into a strangulated gibberish. "I can speak Hebrew," he concluded, with no small hint of triumph, as the journalists outside collapsed in a heap.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=29 September 2011 |title=Sean's fava beans and Chianti on hold as hopefuls start softly |url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/lise-hand-seans-fava-beans-and-chianti-on-hold-as-hopefuls-start-softly-2891347.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930235036/http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/lise-hand-seans-fava-beans-and-chianti-on-hold-as-hopefuls-start-softly-2891347.html |archive-date=30 September 2011 |access-date=2 October 2011 |work=[[Irish Independent]] |quote=And David Norris suddenly broke into another language: "I can speak Hebrew," he explained. (That'll be useful when he opens the Ploughing championships next year). Michael D trumped that by switching to Gaeilge. "This is now a trilingual programme," declared Sean O'Rourke.}}</ref>

After contracting the water-borne variation of [[hepatitis]] while visiting Central Europe in 1994, Norris received disability payments from a private income continuance insurer worth thousands of euros over 16 years,<ref name="David Norris: Hepatitis led to disability payments" /> from a Trinity College insurance policy.<ref name="Norris got TCD disability pay">{{Cite news |last=Carroll |first=Steven |last2=Nihil |first2=Cían |title=Norris got TCD disability pay |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1005/breaking18.html?via=mr |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006062949/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1005/breaking18.html?via=mr |archive-date=6 October 2011 |access-date=5 October 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 October 2011 |title=Norris received TCD disability pension because of Hepatitis diagnosis |url=http://www.thejournal.ie/norris-received-disability-allowance-because-of-hepatitis-diagnosis-245877-Oct2011/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006000116/http://www.thejournal.ie/norris-received-disability-allowance-because-of-hepatitis-diagnosis-245877-Oct2011/ |archive-date=6 October 2011 |access-date=5 October 2011 |quote=Norris stressed that he had not claimed a state allowance for his condition...}}</ref> Norris left his role as a lecturer after Trinity College authorities said the situation arising from his illness was "untenable", although he remained an elected senator.<ref name="David Norris: Hepatitis led to disability payments" /> Norris was hospitalised and was seriously ill for a time as a result of the condition.<ref name="David Norris: Hepatitis led to disability payments">{{Cite news |date=5 October 2011 |title=David Norris: Hepatitis led to disability payments |url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/presidential-election/david-norris-hepatitis-led-to-disability-payments-2896873.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130217231434/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/presidential-election/david-norris-hepatitis-led-to-disability-payments-2896873.html |archive-date=17 February 2013 |access-date=5 October 2011 |work=[[Irish Independent]]}}</ref>

==Campaigning and activism==
Norris took the [[Attorney General of Ireland|Attorney General]] to the [[High Court (Ireland)|High Court]] over the criminalisation of homosexual acts. His claim was based on the fact that the law infringed on his right to privacy and that since the introduction of the [[Constitution of Ireland]], the law passed under British rule became repugnant to the constitution. The High Court ruled against Norris. He appealed his case to the [[Supreme Court of Ireland]].<ref name="LaceyBrian">Lacey, Brian (2008) Terrible Queer Creatures: Homosexuality in Irish History. Dublin</ref> In 1983 (in ''[[Norris v. Attorney General]]''), the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the law by a three to two verdict.<ref name="LaceyBrian" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Supreme Court Decision |url=http://www.bailii.org/ie/cases/IESC/1983/3.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730021744/http://www.bailii.org/ie/cases/IESC/1983/3.html |archive-date=30 July 2012 |access-date=18 September 2011}}</ref>

Having lost the Supreme Court case, Norris took his case to the [[European Court of Human Rights]] (see ''[[Norris v. Ireland]]'').  In 1988, the European Court ruled that the law criminalising same-sex activities was contrary to the [[European Convention on Human Rights]], in particular Article 8 which protects the right to respect for private life. The law was held to infringe on the right of adults to engage in acts of their own choice.<ref>Norris v. Ireland – 10581/83 (European Court of Human Rights)</ref>

{{blockquote|text=The first and immediate thing about the European decision is the enlargement of dignity and freedom for gay people – but I think a decision like this enhances the dignity and freedom of all the people of Ireland because it pushes us towards a more tolerant and plural society.|author= Norris's reaction to the European ruling, 1988.<ref name="McKittrick-SydneyMorningHerald" />}}

This law was repealed in 1993.

Norris has since then expanded his activism to a concept of "universal rights".

{{blockquote|I did start out on that campaign [for homosexual law reform] but I found very quickly that the mechanism of discrimination was exactly the same against women, against ethnic minorities, against the handicapped, so I broadened out and this now is how I see things, very much so.<ref name="independent1" />}}

==Political career==
===Senator (1987 to 2024)===
Norris represented the [[Dublin University (constituency)|Dublin University]] constituency in the [[Seanad Éireann|Seanad]] as an [[Independent politician (Ireland)|independent]]. He was first elected to the Seanad in 1987, and was re-elected at each election until his resignation in 2024.<ref name="elecs_irl">{{Cite web |title=David Norris |url=http://www.electionsireland.org/candidate.cfm?ID=4163 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221181114/http://www.electionsireland.org/candidate.cfm?ID=4163 |archive-date=21 February 2011 |access-date=16 January 2010 |website=ElectionsIreland.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hunt |first=Joanne |date=28 April 2011 |title=Norris re-elected to Seanad |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0428/1224295621916.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023175005/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0428/1224295621916.html |archive-date=23 October 2012 |access-date=28 April 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref> On 14 November 2023, he announced in an interview with ''[[Trinity News]]'' that he would retire in January 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Marchant |first=Libby |date=14 November 2023 |title=An Interview with Senator David Norris |url=https://trinitynews.ie/2023/11/an-interview-with-senator-david-norris/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114191306/https://trinitynews.ie/2023/11/an-interview-with-senator-david-norris/ |archive-date=14 November 2023 |access-date=14 November 2023 |work=[[Trinity News]]}}</ref> He resigned from the Seanad in January 2024, and received tributes from [[president of Ireland|president]] [[Michael D. Higgins]] and [[taoiseach]] [[Leo Varadkar]] delivered to the [[cathaoirleach]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cunningham |first=Paul |date=22 January 2024 |title=Watch: David Norris delivers final Seanad speech |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2024/0122/1427954-david-norris/ |access-date=23 January 2024 |work=[[RTÉ News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 January 2024 |title=Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/seanad/2024-01-22/11/ |access-date=23 January 2024 |website=Oireachtas}}</ref> On his retirement, he was the longest-serving senator in Irish history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McNally |first=Tadgh |date=22 January 2024 |title=David Norris' 36-year Seanad career ends with tributes.. and two boxes of teacakes |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-41314807.html |access-date=23 January 2024 |website=[[Irish Examiner]]}}</ref>

===2011 presidential campaign===
{{Main|2011 Irish presidential election}}

====Entry====
In March 2011, Norris announced his intention to run in the 2011 Irish presidential election.<ref>{{Cite web |title=David Norris officially begins his Presidential bid at the Science Gallery, Dublin |url=http://www.norrisforpresident.ie/?p=84 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318052509/http://www.norrisforpresident.ie/?p=84 |archive-date=18 March 2011 |access-date=17 May 2021 |website=norrisforpresident.ie}}</ref> [[Facebook]] support for a presidential bid drew comparisons with [[Barack Obama]]'s campaign for the American presidency.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McDonald |first=Henry |date=19 October 2010 |title=Facebook campaign could see Ireland appoint first gay president |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/oct/19/facebook-campaign-ireland-gay-president?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326051143/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/oct/19/facebook-campaign-ireland-gay-president?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 |archive-date=26 March 2017 |access-date=11 December 2016 |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=London}}</ref> Norris topped multiple opinion polls as the person most Irish people would like to see as their next president (with the caveat that these polls were taken before all candidates have declared).<ref name="RTE" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Drennan |first=John |date=3 July 2011 |title=Norris still the people's first choice as President |url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/john-drennan/john-drennan-norris-still-the-peoples-first-choice-as-president-2811965.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120801221144/http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/john-drennan/john-drennan-norris-still-the-peoples-first-choice-as-president-2811965.html |archive-date=1 August 2012 |work=[[Irish Independent]]}}</ref><ref name="Examiner2406">{{Cite web |title=Controversy fails to dent Norris's poll popularity |url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/search/?cx=004422957488353982429%3A4gb73lvknqy&cof=FORID%3A9&ie=UTF-8&q=%22David+Norris%22&x=0&y=0#947 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307020212/http://www.irishexaminer.com/search/?cx=004422957488353982429%3A4gb73lvknqy&cof=FORID%3A9&ie=UTF-8&q=%22David+Norris%22&x=0&y=0#947 |archive-date=7 March 2012 |access-date=4 July 2011 |website=[[Irish Examiner]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=11 July 2011 |title=Poll: Who would get your vote to be the next President of Ireland? |url=http://www.thejournal.ie/poll-who-would-get-your-vote-to-be-the-next-president-of-ireland-174212-Jul2011/?voted=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714045816/http://www.thejournal.ie/poll-who-would-get-your-vote-to-be-the-next-president-of-ireland-174212-Jul2011/?voted=1 |archive-date=14 July 2011 |access-date=11 July 2011 |work=[[TheJournal.ie]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=8 July 2011 |title=What's Left Tracker (PowerPoint file) |url=http://www.creditunion.ie/communications/news/2010/title,1498,en.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045859/http://www.creditunion.ie/communications/news/2010/title%2C1498%2Cen.php |archive-date=4 March 2016 |website=[[Irish League of Credit Unions]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Collins |first=Stephen |date=20 July 2011 |title=Norris ahead in presidency poll |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0720/breaking15.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720102406/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0720/breaking15.html |archive-date=20 July 2011 |access-date=20 July 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref> Internal research by Fine Gael also placed Norris ahead of all other potential candidates.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sheahan |first=Fionnan |last2=Brennan |first2=Michael |last3=Duggan |first3=Barry |date=11 July 2011 |title=Fine Gael research says Norris will beat Mitchell in Aras race |url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/fine-gael-research-says-norris-will-beat-mitchell-in-aras-race-26750563.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326051558/http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/fine-gael-research-says-norris-will-beat-mitchell-in-aras-race-26750563.html |archive-date=26 March 2017 |access-date=25 March 2017 |work=[[Irish Independent]] |page=10}}</ref>

On 14 March 2011, Norris launched his campaign to secure a nomination.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 March 2011 |title=David Norris launches presidential campaign |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0314/norrisd.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314162304/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0314/norrisd.html |archive-date=14 March 2011 |access-date=17 March 2011 |work=[[RTÉ News]]}}</ref> On 9 May 2011, he was nominated by [[Fingal County Council]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 May 2011 |title=Norris crosses first presidency hurdle |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0509/norrisd.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510231715/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0509/norrisd.html |archive-date=10 May 2011 |access-date=9 May 2011 |work=[[RTÉ News]]}}</ref> By the end of that month, he had secured the support of 6 [[Teachta Dála|TD]]s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Minihan, Mary |date=27 May 2011 |title=Presidential race likely to be a fraught affair |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0527/1224297853620.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023233813/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0527/1224297853620.html |archive-date=23 October 2012 |access-date=29 May 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref> [[Fine Gael]] ordered its councillors to block Norris's nomination.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cullen, Paul |date=16 May 2011 |title=Norris writes to Independent TDs seeking presidency support |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0516/1224297037875.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117161950/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0516/1224297037875.html |archive-date=17 November 2011 |access-date=29 May 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref> In late May, controversial comments Norris allegedly made in 2002 were raised on a talk radio show. Norris called this an attempt to "sabotage" his campaign. He said the quotes had been taken out of context.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 May 2011 |title=David Norris hits out at campaign 'sabotage' |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0531/norrisd.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103094612/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0531/norrisd.html |archive-date=3 November 2012 |work=[[RTÉ News]]}}</ref>

Norris's candidacy was endorsed by British actor and writer [[Stephen Fry]], who said Ireland "couldn't have a more intelligent passionate and knowledgeable witty or committed President".<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 June 2011 |title=Norris' Áras bid gets celebrity backing |url=http://www.thejournal.ie/david-norris-aras-bid-gets-celebrity-backing-165577-Jun2011/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110702183119/http://www.thejournal.ie/david-norris-aras-bid-gets-celebrity-backing-165577-Jun2011/ |archive-date=2 July 2011 |access-date=29 June 2011 |publisher=[[The Journal (website)|The Journal]]}}</ref>

In late July, it was revealed that Norris had written a letter in 1997 to an Israeli court asking [[pardon|clemency]] for his former partner [[Ezra Nawi]], who had been convicted of the [[statutory rape]] of a 15-year-old Palestinian boy but was awaiting sentencing. Norris's letter, written on parliamentary notepaper, said that Nawi had been lured into a "carefully prepared trap" and had unwisely pleaded guilty to the charges. The story was publicised by a pro-Israel blogger [[John Connolly (blogger)|John Connolly]]. Connolly stated that he had received a tip from "someone in the trade union movement".<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 August 2011 |title=Hate mail deluge for Irish blogger |url=http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Hate-mail-deluge-for-Irish-blogger-who-exposed-Norris-support-for-rapist-126507763.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618144237/http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Hate-mail-deluge-for-Irish-blogger-who-exposed-Norris-support-for-rapist-126507763.html |archive-date=18 June 2012 |work=Irish Central}}</ref> A number of people resigned from Norris's campaign team. While Norris himself said he remained committed to his campaign, he admitted that it was now "in serious trouble".<ref name="BBC-serious-trouble" /> It was claimed by some that these allegations, complete with Norris's subsequent defence of his comments on [[pederasty in ancient Greece]] would seriously damage his chances of securing a nomination.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fionnan Sheahan |date=10 June 2011 |title=Norris in last-ditch attempt to save presidential bid |url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/norris-in-lastditch-attempt-to-save-presidential-bid-2671079.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802134751/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/norris-in-lastditch-attempt-to-save-presidential-bid-2671079.html |archive-date=2 August 2012 |access-date=12 June 2011 |work=[[Irish Independent]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=[[Harry McGee]] |date=11 June 2011 |title=Time running out for Norris to turn campaign around |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2011/0611/1224298736307.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712152531/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2011/0611/1224298736307.html |archive-date=12 July 2011 |access-date=12 June 2011 |work=[[Irish Times]]}}</ref> Norris refuted this, saying he still expected to receive a nomination,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Joe Jackson |date=12 June 2011 |title=Despite a 'dirty fight' Norris says he will be next President |url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/despite-a-dirty-fight-norris-says-he-will-be-next-president-2672695.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120801220056/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/despite-a-dirty-fight-norris-says-he-will-be-next-president-2672695.html |archive-date=1 August 2012 |access-date=12 June 2011 |work=[[Sunday Independent (Ireland)|Sunday Independent]]}}</ref> and the controversy did not affect his poll standings.<ref name="Examiner2406" />

====Withdrawal====
As of 22 July, Norris had secured the support of 15 of the 20 members of the Oireachtas required for a nomination.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 July 2011 |title=Two more Senators back Norris bid |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0722/breaking25.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722134303/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0722/breaking25.html |archive-date=22 July 2011 |access-date=22 July 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref> On 1 August, the [[Independent politician (Ireland)|Independent]] TDs [[John Halligan (politician)|John Halligan]], [[Finian McGrath]] and [[Thomas Pringle (politician)|Thomas Pringle]] announced that they were withdrawing their support for Norris over the revelations of the Nawi plea.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 August 2011 |title=Norris supporter Maureen O'Sullivan says he has been the victim of a nasty campaign |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0801/norrisd.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103130645/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0801/norrisd.html |archive-date=3 November 2012 |work=[[RTÉ News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1 August 2011 |title=Two TDs withdraw nominations |url=http://www.thejournal.ie/two-tds-withdraw-nominations-as-norris-campaign-hangs-in-balance-191029-Aug2011/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329191151/http://www.thejournal.ie/two-tds-withdraw-nominations-as-norris-campaign-hangs-in-balance-191029-Aug2011/ |archive-date=29 March 2012 |access-date=1 August 2011 |work=[[The Journal (website)|The Journal]]}}</ref> However, several other TDs re-iterated their support for Norris in his bid to become president. [[Maureen O'Sullivan (politician)|Maureen O'Sullivan]], TD referred to a "nasty campaign" when expressing her continued support for Norris.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 August 2011 |title=Norris supporter Maureen O'Sullivan says he has been the victim of a nasty campaign |url=http://www.newstalk.ie/2011/news/310maureennorriscliplk25/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929170320/http://www.newstalk.ie/2011/news/310maureennorriscliplk25/ |archive-date=29 September 2011 |access-date=1 August 2011 |work=Newstalk}}</ref> [[Wicklow (Dáil constituency)|Wicklow]] TD [[Stephen Donnelly]] said he believed it was wrong for Norris to have used [[Oireachtas]] headed notepaper, while [[Mick Wallace]], TD said he believed Norris should not have sent the plea. Both Donnelly and Wallace also reaffirmed their support for Norris.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 August 2011 |title=Two more Senators back Norris bid |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0801/breaking4.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110802034656/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0801/breaking4.html |archive-date=2 August 2011 |access-date=1 August 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref> Norris expressed his desire to continue his campaign for president.<ref name="BBC-serious-trouble">{{Cite news |date=31 July 2011 |title=David Norris campaign in 'serious trouble' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-14357589 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522144343/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-14357589 |archive-date=22 May 2018 |access-date=20 June 2018 |work=BBC News}}</ref> However, on 2 August, Norris announced at a press conference held at his home that he was withdrawing from the presidential race.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McDonald |first=Henry |date=2 August 2011 |title=Prospects of David Norris being first gay president scuppered |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/aug/02/scandal-scuppers-gay-president |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930192027/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/aug/02/scandal-scuppers-gay-president |archive-date=30 September 2013 |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kelpie |first=Colm |date=2 August 2011 |title=David Norris pulls out of race to be the next President |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/david-norris-pulls-out-of-race-to-be-the-next-president-26757583.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521230031/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/david-norris-pulls-out-of-race-to-be-the-next-president-26757583.html |archive-date=21 May 2019 |work=[[Irish Independent]] |agency=[[Press Association]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2 August 2011 |title=David Norris withdraws from Áras bid |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0802/304479-norrisd_president/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330000850/https://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0802/304479-norrisd_president/ |archive-date=30 March 2017 |access-date=29 March 2017 |work=[[RTÉ News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2 August 2011 |title=Norris quits presidency race |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/norris-quits-presidency-race-515105.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316004723/https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/norris-quits-presidency-race-515105.html |archive-date=16 March 2012 |work=[[Irish Examiner]]}}</ref>

====Re-entry====
{{Quote box | width=30% | align=right | quote="I'm not perfect and I'm not pretending to be perfect. If you're waiting for a perfect president, you'll be waiting a long time ... I abhor abuse of children ... This would be the biggest comeback in Irish political history. I think people love a comeback." |source= David Norris confirmed his re-entry into the presidential race on a late-night appearance on ''The Late Late Show'' with [[Ryan Tubridy]] on 16 September 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carbery |first=Genevieve |date=17 September 2011 |title=Norris TV Appearance |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0917/1224304275387.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918102258/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0917/1224304275387.html |archive-date=18 September 2011 |access-date=18 September 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref>}}
Despite withdrawing from the presidential race in July 2011, Norris retained significant public support. A poll taken a week later showed him leading with 40% first-preference support and 50% indicating they would vote for him.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 August 2011 |title=Byrne tops poll for presidency |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/byrne-tops-poll-for-presidency-1.881646 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116022631/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/byrne-tops-poll-for-presidency-1.881646 |archive-date=16 November 2018 |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref> In early September, over 1,000 signatures were collected in Galway in 12 hours,<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 September 2011 |title=Galway Norris Campaign Gathers One Thousand Signatures |url=http://www.galwaynews.ie/21487-galway-norris-campaign-gathers-one-thousand-signatures |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130311023702/http://www.galwaynews.ie/21487-galway-norris-campaign-gathers-one-thousand-signatures |archive-date=11 March 2013 |work=[[Galway Bay FM]]}}</ref> with similar support reported in [[Cork (city)|Cork]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 September 2011 |title=Local support for revived Norris Áras bid |url=http://thecorknews.ie/articles/local-support-revived-norris-%C3%A1ras-bid |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304171944/http://thecorknews.ie/articles/local-support-revived-norris-%C3%A1ras-bid |archive-date=4 March 2016 |work=The Cork News}}</ref> A petition of 10,000 signatures was presented outside Leinster House shortly afterwards.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 September 2011 |title=Norris set to re-enter Áras race |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0916/breaking45.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918171647/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0916/breaking45.html |archive-date=18 September 2011 |access-date=18 September 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref> Norris announced his return to the race on ''[[The Late Late Show (Irish talk show)|The Late Late Show]]'' on 16 September; a ''Sunday Independent''/Millward Brown Lansdowne poll two days later showed him at 34% support.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 September 2011 |title=Support for Fianna Fáil drops to 10pc |url=http://www.tv3.ie/article.php?article_id=62800&locID=1.2&pagename=news |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923195427/http://www.tv3.ie/article.php?article_id=62800&locID=1.2&pagename=news |archive-date=23 September 2012 |work=[[TV3 News]]}}</ref>

Norris initially fell two Oireachtas members short of nomination but secured backing from four county councils (Fingal, Laois, Waterford and Dublin City), allowing his entry.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 September 2011 |title=Senator David Norris wins a place in the Irish presidential race |url=http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Senator-David-Norris-wins-a-place-in-the-Irish-presidential-race-130653413.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001033041/http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Senator-David-Norris-wins-a-place-in-the-Irish-presidential-race-130653413.html |archive-date=1 October 2011 |access-date=28 September 2011 |publisher=IrishCentral}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=McDonald |first=Henry |date=28 September 2011 |title=David Norris wins Irish presidency nomination |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/sep/28/david-norris-irish-presidency-nomination?intcmp=239 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904125644/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/sep/28/david-norris-irish-presidency-nomination?intcmp=239 |archive-date=4 September 2015 |access-date=28 September 2011 |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=30 September 2011 |title=Turnaround for candidate |url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/turnaround-for-candidate-20110929-1kz9k.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704170305/http://www.smh.com.au/world/turnaround-for-candidate-20110929-1kz9k.html |archive-date=4 July 2014 |access-date=30 September 2011 |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]}}</ref> He was helped by [[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour]] candidate [[Michael D. Higgins]], who encouraged party colleagues to support Norris "in the interests of democracy".<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 September 2011 |title=Gay senator leads race for Ireland president |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2011/09/28/world/europe/ireland-president/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002074358/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/09/28/world/europe/ireland-president |archive-date=2 October 2011 |access-date=28 September 2011 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> Norris personally phoned Higgins to express his thanks.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 October 2011 |title=Norris quick to voice approval of Higgins |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1001/1224305087698.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001105935/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1001/1224305087698.html |archive-date=1 October 2011 |access-date=1 October 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref>

By late September, Norris had four times as many Twitter followers as any other candidate.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carbery |first=Genevieve |date=30 September 2011 |title=Norris and Gallagher show high net worth |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0930/1224305000607.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930091431/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0930/1224305000607.html |archive-date=30 September 2011 |access-date=30 September 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref>

In the first debate, on ''[[RTÉ News at One]]'', Norris stated he would have no issue visiting Israel or meeting Pope Benedict XVI.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Charlie |title=Áras candidates set out positions in first debate |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0928/breaking4.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928092625/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0928/breaking4.html |archive-date=28 September 2011 |access-date=28 September 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref> Amid scrutiny of rivals' financial disclosures, Norris confirmed he had no stocks, shares, or directorships.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 October 2011 |title=Norris has 'no problem' disclosing earnings |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1004/president.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004224858/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1004/president.html |archive-date=4 October 2011 |access-date=4 October 2011 |publisher=[[RTÉ News]]}}</ref> He formally re-launched his campaign at the [[Dublin Writers Museum]] on 5 October 2011.

Ultimately, Norris came fifth of seven candidates in the election, receiving 109,469 (6.2%) first preference votes.

==Views==
In 2003, Norris' website listed his concerns as "Human Rights Issues, Foreign Policy, Immigration/Asylum, European Union, Luas/Metro".<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 January 2003 |title=David Norris, Senator and human rights activist, Dublin, Ireland |url=http://www.senatordavidnorris.ie/1concerns.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050205050923/http://senatordavidnorris.ie/1concerns.htm |archive-date=5 February 2005 |access-date=28 September 2011 |publisher=Senatordavidnorris.ie}}</ref>

He owns a Georgian house in North Great George's Street in Dublin,<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Sullivan |first=Mary |date=29 August 2010 |title=My favourite room: It's fit for a president |url=http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/home-garden/my-favourite-room-its-fit-for-a-president-2316168.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919170909/http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/home-garden/my-favourite-room-its-fit-for-a-president-2316168.html |archive-date=19 September 2012 |work=[[Irish Independent]]}}</ref> he is a member of the [[Irish Georgian Society]] and is an active campaigner for the preservation of [[Georgian architecture|Georgian building]]s in the Republic of Ireland.<ref name="sundaytimes" /> He has spent many of his own earnings on restoring his own home "room by room".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Louise Roseingrave |date=5 October 2011 |title=Norris says he is 'open book' on earnings |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1005/1224305259569.html?via=rel |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018192545/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1005/1224305259569.html?via=rel |archive-date=18 October 2011 |access-date=5 October 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref> He has campaigned for the transfer of the [[Abbey Theatre]] (National Theatre of Ireland) to the [[General Post Office (Dublin)|GPO]] in the centre of O'Connell Street.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Norris |first=David |date=2009 |title=Address by Senator David Norris at the Service to Mark International Day against Homophobia at 3.30 P.M. In Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday the 17th of May 2009 |url=http://www.senatordavidnorris.ie/images/SenDavidNorris_Christchurch.doc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617153229/http://www.senatordavidnorris.ie/images/SenDavidNorris_Christchurch.doc |archive-date=17 June 2009 |archive-format=DOC |access-date=17 May 2021 |website=senatordavidnorris.ie}}</ref> Norris is also a well-known [[James Joyce|Joycean]] scholar and plays a large part in Dublin's annual [[Bloomsday]] celebrations.<ref name="sundaytimes" />

Norris believes himself to be an "outsider" of "accepted society" and claims this gives him a heightened awareness of other minority or "outsider" groups. He says he wishes society to become more accepting of diversity. He has campaigned on mental health and child abuse issues.<ref name="independent1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mac |first=Conor |date=23 September 2011 |title=I know how David Norris feels – I was smeared too |url=http://www.thejournal.ie/readme/column-i-know-how-david-norris-feels-i-was-smeared-too/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923042846/http://www.thejournal.ie/readme/column-i-know-how-david-norris-feels-i-was-smeared-too/ |archive-date=23 September 2011 |access-date=28 September 2011 |publisher=[[TheJournal.ie]]}}</ref>

When questioned on [[Arguments for and against drug prohibition|drug legalisation]] he said:

<blockquote>The blunt instrument of criminalisation is not working because of the vast profits it generates for organised crime ... my view is that the welfare of the community, including the victims of drug abuse, may be better served by having access to quality-controlled, legally prescribed drugs.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Family fun |date=9 June 2011 |title=I abhor child abuse but sexual consent is complex |url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/i-abhor-child-abuse-but-sexual-consent-is-complex-ndash-norris-2670243.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120801220814/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/i-abhor-child-abuse-but-sexual-consent-is-complex-ndash-norris-2670243.html |archive-date=1 August 2012 |access-date=2011-09-28 |work=[[The Irish Independent]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 June 2011 |title=Norris publishes open-letter to address 'confusion or interpretation' on his views |url=http://www.politics.ie/forum/irish-presidential-election-2011/162436-norris-publishes-open-letter-address-confusion-interpretation-his-views.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110803142953/http://www.politics.ie/forum/irish-presidential-election-2011/162436-norris-publishes-open-letter-address-confusion-interpretation-his-views.html |archive-date=3 August 2011 |access-date=2011-09-28 |publisher=Politics.ie}}</ref></blockquote>

On 31 July 2014, he delivered a speech at [[Seanad Éireann]] about the [[2014 Israel–Gaza conflict]] to denounce the violations of [[human rights]] by the [[State of Israel]].<ref>Seanad Debates, [http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/seanad2014073100015 Situation in Gaza] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084558/http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/seanad2014073100015 |date=19 August 2014 }}, Thursday 31 July 2014, [[Houses of the Oireachtas]] (page visited on 16 August 2014).</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=31 July 2014 |title=Senator David Norris' Israel bombs first and weeps later'. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keS-LDl_ewA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804213956/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keS-LDl_ewA |archive-date=4 August 2014 |access-date=17 May 2021 |website=youtube.com}}</ref> The video clip of the speech attracted more than 300,000 views on [[YouTube]] making Norris, at the time, the most successful Irish politician to appear on YouTube.<ref>Dan Buckley, [http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/gaza-speech-makes-david-norris-youtubes-top-political-hit-278964.html "Gaza speech makes David Norris YouTube's top political hit"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814004534/http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/gaza-speech-makes-david-norris-youtubes-top-political-hit-278964.html |date=14 August 2014 }}, ''[[Irish Examiner]]'', Saturday 9 August 2014 (page visited on 16 August 2014).</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Datoo |first=Sirej |date=6 August 2014 |title=People Are Going Pretty Crazy For This Clip Of An Irish Senator's Speech About Gaza |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/sirajdatoo/i-am-not-anti-israeli-iam-pro-human-rights |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812020245/http://www.buzzfeed.com/sirajdatoo/i-am-not-anti-israeli-iam-pro-human-rights |archive-date=12 August 2014 |access-date=16 August 2014 |website=buzzfeed.com}}</ref> He said:

<blockquote>[...] I am in favour of human rights, whether one is Israeli, gay, a woman or black. I am not changing my position. I am not anti-Israel or anti-Semitic, but I am pro-human rights for every human being.<ref>Seanad Debates, [https://archive.today/20140816171217/http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/seanad2014073100017?opendocument Situation in Gaza], Thursday 31 July 2014, [[Houses of the Oireachtas]] (page visited on 16 August 2014).</ref></blockquote>

===Irish nationalism===
A 2010 article in ''[[The Sunday Times]]'' claimed that Norris had, on more than one occasion, denounced the leaders of the 1916 [[Easter Rising]] as "[[terrorism|terrorists]]".<ref name="sundaytimes">{{Cite news |last=O Neill |first=Sean |last2=Hamilton |first2=Fiona |date=28 February 2010 |title=Profile: David Norris |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/profile-david-norris-7z2hftcznft |work=[[The Sunday Times]] |location=London |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250428174822/https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/profile-david-norris-7z2hftcznft |archive-date=28 April 2025 |access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref> In May 2011, Norris denied that article's claim also, saying "That's not true, it's a slur, and it's not fair on me. Terrorists are people who use civilian casualties to advance a political end. The men of 1916 produced the [[Proclamation of the Irish Republic|proclamation]], addressed equally – in an age when women didn't have the vote – to 'Irishmen and Irishwomen', that's wonderful!".<ref name="Independent 22 May">{{Cite news |last=Jackson, Joe |date=22 May 2011 |title=All my life, I have fought against being labelled and against stigma |url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/all-my-life-i-have-fought-against-being-labelled-and-against-stigma-2654239.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218002000/http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/all-my-life-i-have-fought-against-being-labelled-and-against-stigma-2654239.html |archive-date=18 February 2013 |access-date=24 May 2011 |work=[[Sunday Independent (Ireland)|Sunday Independent]]}}</ref> The newspaper printed a retraction.

In 2014, around the centenary of the passing of the [[Government of Ireland Act 1914]], Norris defended [[John Bruton]]'s analysis of the Easter Rising. Norris concurred with Bruton in the belief that the "main" tradition of nationalism in Ireland is non-violence, citing the methods and impact of [[Daniel O'Connell]], [[Charles Stewart Parnell]] and [[John Redmond]].<ref>{{cite news |last=MacGuill |first=Dan |date=9 September 2014 |title=David Norris calls 1916 rebels 'traitors to their own cause' |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/david-norris-1916-rising-traitors-1679082-Sep2014/ |work=[[TheJournal.ie]] |location= |publisher= |access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref> Furthermore, Norris stated that [[WB Yeats]]' impression of the leaders of the Easter Rising was correct; "if one looks at 1916, I believe Yeats was correct in his first impression of some of these people when he said that they were vainglorious. Indeed, they were. They were afraid that history would write them out. They were seen by the British as traitors to the empire but they were traitors to their own cause because [[Eoin MacNeill]], the commander-in-chief, had cancelled the Rising and yet, they ignored that." Norris' use of "traitors to their own cause" caused significant controversy.<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Regan |first=Michael |date=18 September 2014 |title=David Norris rebuked for calling 1916 leaders ‘traitors’ |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/david-norris-rebuked-for-calling-1916-leaders-traitors-1.1933909 |work=[[Irish Times]] |location= |publisher= |access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref> 

In 2010, Norris spoke in favour of the Republic of Ireland rejoining the [[Commonwealth of Nations]], which it left when it became a republic in 1949. He dismissed the position of the British monarch as [[Head of the Commonwealth]] as "largely titular".<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 May 2010 |title=Republic of Ireland should rejoin Commonwealth, says senator |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/republic-of-ireland-should-rejoin-commonwealth-says-senator-28537184.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322203723/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/republic-of-ireland-should-rejoin-commonwealth-says-senator-28537184.html |archive-date=22 March 2017 |access-date=22 March 2017 |work=Belfast Telegraph}}</ref>

===Religion===
Norris is a [[Christianity|Christian]] and regularly attends [[Church of Ireland]] services. He said the following of his religious beliefs:

<blockquote>I am the kind of Christian who believes that the most important theological principle is the principle of positive doubt. Even Christ doubted, on the cross. And I think if people say they hear the voice of God all the time and say they know what to do, then impose that on you, politically, it is theological tyranny. Whereas if you have doubt, it stops you from abusing your religious belief. Religion can be so abused in the interests of power, especially on behalf of institutions and governments.<ref name="independent1" /></blockquote>

====Criticism of the Catholic Church====
Norris has made statements about [[Catholic social teaching]] on homosexuality, particularly in relation to the Papacy. He criticised [[Pope John Paul II]]'s statements on homosexuality because he said they led to anti-gay violence, saying that the pope was an "instrument for evil as far as I'm concerned because these constant, unremitting, ignorant, ill-informed attacks on the gay community have led to violence against the gay community". Norris also described the pope's position as "calculated and deliberate wickedness" because he "closes down scholarly enquiry" and because he "marginalised all the wonderful people like [[Óscar Romero]], [[Leonardo Boff]], [[Hans Kung]], [[Charles Curran (theologian)|Charles Curran]], all these marvellous people who are the future and the hope of the Church and, instead, put into place these mindless bureaucrats, which is intensely sad."<ref name="gaytoday">{{Cite news |title='The Pope is Evil' says Gay Irish Senator, David Norris |url=http://www.gaytoday.com/garchive/events/111301ev.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928070458/http://www.gaytoday.com/garchive/events/111301ev.htm |archive-date=28 September 2011 |access-date=25 October 2010 |work=Gay Today}}</ref> Commenting on then [[Pope Benedict XVI|Cardinal Ratzinger]], he said, "Ratzinger, who is, in his mind-set, a [[Nazi]]" because he is "afraid to tell the truth," and because he and John Paul II "won't even let themselves be in the presence of the truth, because it would shatter their very stylised view of things."<ref name="gaytoday" /> He later stated that he regretted using the term "Nazi" in reference to Ratzinger.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 June 2011 |title=Norris 'confident' of nomination |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0609/breaking15.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024073039/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0609/breaking15.html |archive-date=24 October 2012 |access-date=20 July 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref>

==Controversy==
===Fairytale of Kathmandu===
{{see also|Fairytale of Kathmandu#Defence of Ó Searcaigh}}
On 11 March 2008, Norris called for the broadcast of the documentary ''Fairytale of Kathmandu'' (scheduled to be shown that evening on [[RTÉ]]) to be postponed. The film documented visits to [[Nepal]] by Irish poet [[Cathal Ó Searcaigh]], during which he had sex with young boys. It questioned whether he was sexually exploiting the boys or engaging in [[child sex tourism]]. Norris criticised that the film had been [[News leak|leaked]] beforehand and that Ó Searcaigh had been treated harshly by the media before its broadcast. He announced to the Seanad that the film should be checked for factuality because he claimed that "public money" had been spent on it. The issue was conveyed to Deputy [[John Cregan (politician)|John Cregan]], the Chairman of the ''Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 March 2008 |title=Seanad Éireann Debate Vol. 188 No. 22 Page 4. |url=http://debates.oireachtas.ie/seanad/2008/03/11/00004.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625050854/http://debates.oireachtas.ie/seanad/2008/03/11/00004.asp |archive-date=25 June 2012 |access-date=24 February 2011 |website=[[Seanad Éireann]]}}</ref>

===2002 ''Magill'' magazine interview===
In a January 2002 interview for politics/current affairs magazine ''[[Magill]]'', Norris discussed the [[age of consent]], [[incest]],  [[paedophilia]] and [[pederasty]].<ref name="radical">{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Helen Lucy |date=January 2002 |title=The Free Radical Page 1 |url=http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2011/05/DNmagill1.jpg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804101925/http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2011/05/DNmagill1.jpg |archive-date=4 August 2011 |access-date=12 June 2011 |website=[[TheJournal.ie]] |publisher=[[Magill]]}}</ref><ref name="radical1">{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Helen Lucy |date=January 2002 |title=The Free Radical Page 2 |url=http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2011/05/DNmagill2.jpg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804101938/http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2011/05/DNmagill2.jpg |archive-date=4 August 2011 |access-date=12 June 2011 |website=[[TheJournal.ie]] |publisher=[[Magill]]}}</ref><ref name="radical2">{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Helen Lucy |date=January 2002 |title=The Free Radical Page 3 |url=http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2011/05/DNmagill3.jpg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804101953/http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2011/05/DNmagill3.jpg |archive-date=4 August 2011 |access-date=12 June 2011 |website=[[TheJournal.ie]] |publisher=[[Magill]]}}</ref> The interviewer, [[Food critic|restaurant critic]] Helen Lucy Burke, said, "I found some of his views on sexual matters deeply disturbing – notably on sex with minors".<ref>[http://sites.google.com/site/norrisarticle/ Extract from ''David Norris: The Free Radical''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008050726/http://sites.google.com/site/norrisarticle/ |date=8 October 2011 }}, ''Magill Magazine'', January 2002</ref> According to Burke, Norris didn't seem to support a minimum age of consent. When asked "What about paedophilia?" Norris replied, "There’s a lot of nonsense about that, and I can say this because I haven’t the slightest interest in children [...] On the other hand, they [paedophiles] do. But in terms of classic paedophilia as practised by the Greeks, where it is an older man introducing a younger man or boy to adult life, I think there can be something to be said for that. In terms of the north African experience this is endemic", and "There is a whole spectrum in my opinion. The teacher [or] the Christian Brother who puts his hand into a boy’s pocket during a history lesson, that’s at one end of the spectrum. But then there’s a person who will attack children of either sex, rape them, brutalise them and then murder them, that’s quite different”.<ref name="it22oct">{{Cite news |date=22 October 2011 |title=Norris's views on sex between older and younger men broadcast on RTÉ |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1022/1224306299793.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025100359/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1022/1224306299793.html |archive-date=25 October 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref> On 30 May 2011, Burke was a guest on the [[talk radio]] show ''[[Liveline]]''. Burke said that she had read the article to Norris before its publication and that he had wholeheartedly endorsed what was written. During the show, it was noted that the ''Magill'' article had been reported in a newspaper shortly after publication. The newspaper, ''[[Ireland on Sunday]]'', went with the headline "Senator Backs Sex With Children". Burke claimed that, when Norris saw the reaction to the interview, he "back-tracked" and denied saying what had been quoted. She also called Norris' views "evil" and "against the law".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Live line |url=http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-30051138m17slivelinedavidnorris-pid0-2297928.mp3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016112439/http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-30051138m17slivelinedavidnorris-pid0-2297928.mp3 |archive-date=16 October 2011 |access-date=30 May 2011 |work=[[RTÉ News]]}}</ref>

According to Norris, he was only read two paragraphs of the interview before publication, and he asked for corrections to be made to those paragraphs, and these corrections were not made.<ref name="pod1">{{Cite news |title=Pat Kenny interview |url=http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-31051128m34stodaywithpatkenny-pid0-1714224.mp3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016112506/http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-31051128m34stodaywithpatkenny-pid0-1714224.mp3 |archive-date=16 October 2011 |access-date=12 June 2011 |work=[[RTÉ Radio 1]]}}</ref> In a May 2011 statement on his presidential campaign website, Norris affirmed "I did not ever and would not approve of the finished article as it appeared". Norris asserts that he and Burke engaged in an "academic discussion about [[Classical Greece]] and sexual activity in a historical context; it was a hypothetical, intellectual conversation" and that the "presentation of references to sexuality in the article attributed to me were misleading in that they do not convey the context in which they were made".<ref name="Ask David: Magill article">{{Cite web |title=Ask David: Statement on Magill Magazine profile |url=http://www.norrisforpresident.ie/askdavid/magill-magazine-2002 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110601233604/http://www.norrisforpresident.ie/askdavid/magill-magazine-2002 |archive-date=1 June 2011 |access-date=30 May 2011 |website=Norris for President website}}</ref> Norris also spoke about the ''Magill'' profile in an interview with Joe Jackson for the ''[[Sunday Independent (Ireland)|Sunday Independent]]'', in which he refutes the allegations, saying he responded in "horror", and that "it so completely misrepresents everything I said. In the interview I said I cannot understand how anyone would consider it appropriate to have sex with children".<ref name="The Joe Jackson interviews">{{Cite web |title=David Norris – The Joe Jackson interviews 2002 and 2011 |url=http://joejacksonjournalist.com/2010/09/06/david-norris-the-joe-jackson-interview/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602000103/http://joejacksonjournalist.com/2010/09/06/david-norris-the-joe-jackson-interview/ |archive-date=2 June 2011 |access-date=30 May 2011}}</ref>
During the initial interview on 30 May 2011, Burke explained on Liveline that she had "a tape somewhere around but I can't find it, it's twelve years old and I don't know whether it would be viable now". Also, when Burke was asked if she had a tape while being interviewed on ''[[RTÉ News: Six One]]'' on 31 May 2011 by Caitríona Perry, Perry asserted that "despite originally believing that she had a recording of the interview, Helen Lucy Burke is now not so sure". Burke explained, "I don't think so, I thought I had a taped cassette, but it turns out that it was in the one, I wasn't able to open it because it was a different length from the one in my existing cassette box". When Caitríona Perry asked "Do you think you have a tape anywhere else", Burke replied, "it could be under the mountains of stuff that came down when my ceiling came in". In the last days of the campaign the tape was released and according to the ''[[Irish Independent]]'', Ms. Burke "said yesterday she found the tape recently but only released it in the last days of the campaign for "impact." She said, "it would give people something to think about when they went to the polls."<ref name=it22oct/>

==Awards==
* Council of Europe Travelling Scholarship
* Walter Wormser Harris Prize
* Foundation Scholarship in English Literature and Language
* European Human Rights Prize (nomination)<ref name="Biography">{{Cite news |title=David Norris Presidential campaign website |url=http://www.norrisforpresident.ie/biography/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514165133/http://www.norrisforpresident.ie/biography |archive-date=14 May 2011 |access-date=18 May 2011}}</ref>
* In 2015, [[Trinity College Dublin]] awarded him with an honorary doctorate.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Registrar : Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, Ireland |url=https://www.tcd.ie/registrar/honorary-degrees/2015-16/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030110443/https://www.tcd.ie/registrar/honorary-degrees/2015-16/ |archive-date=30 October 2019 |access-date=7 January 2020 |website=[[TCD.ie]]}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Commons category|David Norris}}
* {{Official website|senatordavidnorris.ie}}
* [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/aug/02/david-norris-ireland-president-campaign "David Norris campaign was a political phenomenon", ''The Guardian'']
* [https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/aug/03/david-norris-irish-presidency "David Norris failed, yet the 'nothing new' system failed too", ''The Guardian'']
* [http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0802/breaking43.html Full text of speech by Senator David Norris withdrawing from the presidential election, ''The Irish Times'']
* [https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/sep/27/ireland-david-norris-long-way "David Norris's presidential nomination shows Ireland has come a long way"]. [[Colm Tóibín]] in ''The Guardian''
* {{YouTube|id=keS-LDl_ewA|title=Speech at Seanad Éireann about the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict}}

{{Members of the 18th Seanad}}
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{{Members of the 24th Seanad}}
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{{Members of the 26th Seanad}}
{{James Joyce}}
{{Authority control}}

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