Out To Your TD

"[Marriage equality] is not a matter that I can recall being raised with me, face to face, in my constituency from any angle, either for or against."

Dr Martin Mansergh, former Fianna Fail TD

42% of couples in a long-term same sex relationship recently said that they believe marriage equality will happen within the lifetime of the current government.

But civil marriage for same sex couples will only be achieved if we are prepared to ask for it.

The government has promised to look at the possibility of introducing marriage equality in the context of a constitutional convention. We need to make sure that they hear our voices and our stories.

Marriage Equality needs you to go directly to your local TDs and tell them that the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are being infringed by being denied access to civil marriage.

(For background information about the make-up of the 31st Dáil, how legislation is passed in the Dáil and how you can impact on proposed legislation; how parliamentary questions are put and how to lobby Dáil Committees, please read the European Anti-Poverty Network's Guide to the 31st Dáil)

Please follow these 5 easy steps:

Step 1 - Find out who your local TDs or Senators are via this clickable map and make an appointment to visit all of them.

Step 2 - Contact Marriage Equality beforehand for support and info about what you might say and the views of the politicians you are visiting.

Step 3 - Visit TDs, tell your stories - how being banned from Civil Marriage impacts on your everyday life, or the lives of people you care about.

Step 4 - Encourage friends and family to do the same.

Step 5 - Contact us and let us know what your TDs said so we can keep track of their attitudes and/or support.

Silence is being used as an excuse for inaction.

Marriage Equality believes that equality for gay and lesbian people can be achieved by providing same sex couples access to civil marriage.

The Government's Civil Partnership Act does not give same sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples. Visit our FAQ Section to find out more!

Opponents of civil marriage for same sex couples argue that there is no demand for it. But a recent poll showed that 67% of couples in a same-sex relationship said their vote in the recent General Election was influenced by a political party's position on same sex marriage.

Our TD campaign has been hugely successful to date, but we still need to keep the pressure on - click here to find out why!

Show them that marriage matters. Make your voice heard!