Fundraising Lunch a Success

31 Mar 2008

Moninne Griffith (MarriageEquality Co-ordinator) and Ross Golden Bannon at the MarriagEquality fundraising lunch, Dublin, 06 March 2008.

Thank you to everyone who came along and showed their support at our Fundraising lunch on the 6th of March at Fire Restaurant in the Mansion House.

Before lunch we enjoyed a few glasses of cava courtesy of Fire Restaurant and listened to music from Zrazy.

Our MC for lunch, Ross Golden Bannon, journalist welcomed everyone and introduced our co-chairperson Denise Charlton, who spoke about MarriagEquality, our work, why gay and lesbian people and their friends and families need to ask their local representatives for equality and how access to civil marriage is the only fair and equal option in relation to the recognition of same sex relationships.

During lunch we enjoyed music from Kathy Snowe and raffled prizes from our many generous sponsors who are listed below.

After lunch we listened to Margaret Gill, whose daughter Barbara tragically lost her life in a road traffic accident last year, leaving her same sex partner of over 13 years and their 8 week old son behind and who because they are not recognised by law as Barbara's next of kin have suffered huge financial as well as emotional hardships. Margaret's wonderfully eloquent and emotional words highlighted the very real way peoples' lives are affected by the inequality which exists because of the lack of access to same sex civil marriage.

All proceeds raised from our lunch will go towards our work informing the public about the discrimination suffered by gay and lesbian people, couples and their families in Ireland because of the absence of same sex marriage.

We ask everyone to keep on giving their support by getting involved with our work. Please visit your local representatives and show them that there are gay and lesbian people and they friends and families in every constituency in Ireland and that we want access to civil marriage for same sex couples who deserve equality.

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Fire Restaurant
• Links of London, Jewellers
• Meteor, Mobile Phones
• Town Bar & Grill, Restaurant
• Barry Doyle Designs, Jewellers
• Steven Mannion, Artist
• Billy at Dylan Bradshaw, Hairstylists
• Cornucopia, Restaurant
• Martina Boyle
• Kathy Snowe
• Zrazy
• Adam in Language
• Paul Sharp, Photographer
• Ross Golden Bannon, Journalist
• The Winding Stair, Restaurant
• Dali's, Restaurant
• Zeba, Hairdressing Salon
• Lunatic Fringe, Hairdressing Salon
• The Grooming Room, Men's Salon
• L'Geuleton, Restaurant
• Grainne Healy
• Ailbhe Smyth
• Danzon, Salsa with Hillary Clarke
• Eden Restaurant
• Budda-Bag Dublin
• Stephen Thomas from Face & Body Clinic
• Anita Thoma in Il Primo Restaurant
• Paul Sheerin Jewellers
• Arran Candy
• Thomas Pink Limited
• Sinners Lebanese Restaurant
• Havana Tapas Bar
• Brasserie Sixty6
• The Larder cafe
• Gruel Cafe
• The Mermaid Cafe
• Smock
• We had a great day and appreciate your support.

Moninne Griffith
Coordinator