he Equality Authority welcomes the commitment by the Government to hold a referendum on marriage equality. The Authority has been to the forefront for over a decade in informing this debate with its publications on ‘Implementing Equality for LGB people’ in 2002 and further studies on the differences in rights for same sex couple in the following years.
The Authority supports a question being put that involves the entire electorate in expressing a view on the current marriage law,that has been deemed by the Courts to exclude same-sex couples. “It is important that the Referendum does not place a minority group in the position where they must ask permission of their peers to marry the person of their choice” said Renee Dempsey CEO.
“What is important is that the question put involves the entire electorate, regardless of their sexual orientation, to consider what marriage means in a modernIrelandand how inclusive any new law should be? The consideration of marriage equality by a diverse society,is an act that many more can engage in, to set out a standard for an inclusive society. We welcome this response by Government which will address many of the inequalities that exist from the narrow definition of marriage in law. A broader definition of marriage should result in the recognition of more adult relationships, equal rights and security for those covered by the gender, civil status, family status and sexual orientation grounds protected by equality legislation” she concluded.
Ends.
For further information or comment please contact Brian Merriman, Head of Communications and Legal Services on 087 9608658 or 087 6573732