A plea for the Broadening of Civil Marriage

While I am always slow to put across any particular group's manifesto, this provisio does not apply when it is something that I firmly believe in.

We live in a Republic. A Republic looks after of its citizens regardless of creed, beliefs, gender or sexual orientation. The individualistic nature of a Republic means that sometimes it combines with established societal norms and actively discriminates against those citizens who make up its core. Such a combination has existed in Ireland, with regard many issues, but now the time has come for the Irish Government to recognise FULL and EQUAL marriage as already exists in Civil marriage legislation in this state. The Government's piece meal equality which will be published in the heads of their bill next March, based on the the content of Sean Power, T.D.'s, (Minister of State with responsibility for Equality, Dept of Justice, Equality & Law Reform), speech at last weeks NLGF symposium in Kildare St, is just not good enough. 2 provisios will exist in this bill, a) the registration of partnerships mainly for tax, property & inheritance purposes. b) the dissolution of the registration of this partnerships. The problem which I have with these is one simple thing. This is STILL not full equality between heterosexual & homosexual relationships. There is only one way in which FULL AND EQUAL relationships can exist in the Irish context and that is through the broadening of the definition of Marriage, which the COLLEY REPORT, (a government report published in 2006), recommended was the only way FULL EQUALITY could be achieved.

I am calling on all people, GAY AND STRAIGHT to make representations to their local Government TDs, and call for complete Equality, which can only be acquired through the broadening the CIVIL MARRIAGE definition, and the extension of CIVIL MARRIAGE privileges and responsibilities to members of the Lesbian and Gay community.

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What is MarriagEquality?

MarriagEquality is a new initiative working for full civil marriage for same sex couples.

Wasn’t it previously called KAL?

MarriagEquality has grown out of the KAL Advocacy Initiative which was established to support the legal case of Drs Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan to have their Canadian marriage recognised in Ireland. This case is currently being appealed to the Supreme Court and is expected to be heard in autumn 2008.

So what’s the difference between KAL and MarriagEquality?

KAL was established specifically to support the legal case. MarriagEquality goes beyond the case, building a broad-based public initiative to promote civil marriage for all. MarriagEquality will be at the centre of an active coalition of individuals and organisations influencing legislators to introduce full equality for same sex couples.

But hasn’t the Government said it will introduce such legislation?

No. All the Government has done is to commit to publishing the Heads of a Bill on Civil Partnership in March 2008. Civil Partnership is not the same as marriage. It will not give the same rights to gay and lesbian people as marriage provides for heterosexual couples.

So, are civil partnerships or civil unions the same as marriage?

No. Civil unions and civil partnership are not marriage. They will create a separate and unequal institution. Civil partnership may well suit many couples but it will not suit those who want to get married.

But isn’t the Government against same sex marriage?

The Government’s own “Colley Report” commissioned in 2006 to examine partnership options clearly stated that marriage is the only option that would provide full equality for same sex couples.

Isn’t same sex marriage against the Constitution?

MarriagEquality shares the opinion of some of the finest constitutional lawyers in the country who see no constitutional impediment to providing marriage equality in Ireland.

There is no substance to the argument that full equality for same sex couples is unconstitutional. The Constitution is a living document that has been changed many times to reflect the changing needs of Irish society. No where does it state that marriage is only between a man and a woman.

Is Ireland ready for same sex marriage?

There are many same sex couples living in Ireland who have already been married in other countries, some of whom are raising children in loving and safe families. Same sex marriage is already a reality in this country.

What about other countries? Surely not many have introduced marriage?

In the European Union same sex marriage exists in the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain. In addition Canada, South Africa, and Massachusetts in the United States have introduced full marriage equality.

Catholic Spain?

Yes. The Spanish Government decided to introduce full marriage equality because they realised that half or incremental measures would mean simply returning again and again to the issue, and instead decided to deal with it in one go by providing full equality from the start.

OK. So what will MarriagEquality do?

MarriagEquality will be launched formally in February 2008. We will build an active coalition seeking equality for all. We will organise our own events, support other events, work to influence politicians, support couples, families and friends to meet and influence their public representatives and publicise widely this initiative.

Where do I find out more?

Contact Moninne Griffith, MarriageEquality Coordinator, at MarriagEquality@gmail.com or 087- 932 1329