Marriage Equality’s May Advocates of the Month

4 May 2011

Hugh Walsh and Barry Dignam (Photo by Alan Beston, Irish Times)

They became the faces of a new, more progressive Ireland as the first couple to publicly register a Civil Partnership on April 5, 2011 and what great spokespeople they were. Congratulations to Barry Dignam and Hugh Walsh who are Marriage Equality's Advocates of the Month for May!

From their wonderful positive and celebratory appearance on the Late Late Show with Ryan Tubridy, to talking on practically every radio station across Ireland and appearing in all the major newspapers, Barry and Hugh are the perfect picture of a couple who love each other, are committed to each other and want to have their relationship legally recognised so that they can protect each other just like many other couples. On top of this Hugh and Barry always made it clear that although they were delighted to be registering a civil partnership, that it is a stepping stone towards marriage equality.

In several interviews, Barry said: "When we met it was illegal to be gay in Ireland. Now we are having a civil partnership, it is pretty amazing the change that's happened. But we still have places to go yet."

For their well-spoken, determined commitment to realising marriage equality in Ireland, we're delighted to recognise Barry and Hugh as our Advocates of the Month! Congratulations you two... we hope you have a long and happy life together!

"Now people realise the sky is not going to fall down, that push for civil marriage is not a far journey at all."
Barry Dignam