Marriage Equality cases before the US Supreme Court

28 Mar 2013

Today Marriage Equality welcomed positive developments from the United States Supreme Court, which has heard arguments in two separate cases on the issue of marriage equality for same-sex couples.  The constitutionality of Proposition 8, which introduced a marriage ban for same sex couples in California, was heard on Tuesday.  The legality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prohibits federal recognition of legal marriages between same sex couples and denies them a wide range of federal benefits and privileges afforded to married heterosexual couples, was heard on Wednesday.  Rulings on the two cases are expected in June.

“Worldwide, we’ve seen incredible progress towards marriage equality in the last few years,” said Marriage Equality Director Moninne Griffith.  “England and Wales, France and the United States have all taken huge steps forward, and we want Ireland to do the same.  Ireland could – and should – be a leader on this issue.  75% of Irish people said they would vote yes in a marriage equality referendum.”

“The Constitutional Convention, which will discuss the provision of ‘same sex marriage’ at its next meeting on April 13th and 14th and make a recommendation to Government received over 1000 submissions on the issue.  Almost three-quarters of those supported loving committed same sex couples being allowed to marry.  Now is our chance to send a strong message to the rest of the world, that Ireland is a country that respects and protects its citizens equally and join the long list of countries where gay and lesbian people can already marry the person they love.”

“Now is the time for marriage equality,” added Ms Griffith.  “The Constitutional Convention provides a golden opportunity for Ireland to take the next step as a modern, democratic country that has respect for diversity and that believes in equality for all families.  We look forward to working with the members of the Constitutional Convention and all supporters of marriage equality to protect same sex couples and families, and to ensure that they are treated equally under the law by enshrining marriage equality in the Irish Constitution.”

ENDS

Marriage Equality’s submission to the Constitutional Convention can be accessed here:
http://www.marriagequality.ie/download/pdf/final_me_constitutional_convention_submission.pdf