Comments on: Marriage Equality – Irish Style!

By: Green Party failing children in lesbian/gay headed families? | Maman Poulet

Green Party failing children in lesbian/gay headed families? | Maman Poulet — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:09:17 +0000

[...] is to be believed. However FF never promised us a rose garden! Remember I’m one of the ones not obsessed by marriage (I’ve already been preached at about this – pardon me for seeking [...]

By: Dave Wilkins

Dave Wilkins — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:50:10 +0000

I took you at your word Marie and emailed a letter to all my TD’s (Wicklow) and a number of Senators (including the wonderful David Norris). I actually cc’d the Marriage Equality email address for info. The idiot from IONA on Primetime last night seemed to think that allowing same sex marriage (as opposed to CP’s) would STOP the state protecting families and children, which is COMPLETE nonsense. If anything it’s not that difficult to accept that gay-marriage would if anything reinforce the institution of marriage. Further people should be aware article 40 in the constitution guarantees that ALL citizens be treated equally in law, and art 40.3.1 in it’s defence of marriage against attack nowhere defines marriage as that between a man or a woman. This BS that TDs are moaning on about there being a constitutional issue is complete rubbish. I was very impressed by that elderly lady who lost her daughter recently. However, RTE do these kind of topics so badly, and no-one actually made any points of substance either for or against the issue. I believe that we need to actively and urgently lobby our TDs and senators as seriously I believe that they don’t really care either way whether it’s marriage or CPs, and if CP (civil partnerships) is what’s put infront of them that’s what they’ll vote for. I don’t honestly believe there is any opposition of any merit against full marriage. Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Canada and South Africa haven’t imploded, I don’t we will either. If we stay silent we only have ourselves to blame.

By: Marie

Marie — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:31:36 +0000

I’ve read it too and its a rehashing of parts of the ICCL document. That document did cover the other situations were marriage could and would disadvantage certain types of family forms and partnerships including social welfare recepients etc. I find it interesting that this is a charge towards marriage being led by self-professed feminists at least one of whom was writing and speaking in opposition to gay marriage from a feminist standpoint until quite recently.

As I have said elsewhere, I think the “You’re not out till you’re out to your TD” slogan is unfortunately weighted against those who are without the privileges and supports available to middle class urban queers. It would appear that despite the wealth of knowledge amongst many in the campaign on the need for poverty-proofing of initiatives, that has not been a priority here. There’s an interesting treatise on class just waiting to be expounded on this one.

By: Sean Reynolds

Sean Reynolds — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 01:23:57 +0000

Interesting stuff, MP.

I watched the coverage of gay marriage on Primetime tonight, and found it vapid, as there are still no concrete proposals to talk about. Iona guy seemed to allow for civil partnership but not marriage, but I did enjoy how he seemed to feel hijacked by the granny…

From what I’ve read of the marriage equality paper, I’m concerned how there are no references to the document. Also, and I’m open to correction, but there seems to be an error of fact. On page 27, it claims Bertie made his statement on sexual orientation not being incidental in January 2006, whereas I noted it as part of his speech to the (re) opening of GLEN’s offices in April 2006 which can be re-read at:
http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/index.asp?locID=200&docID=2542