Launch of memoirs underlines the urgent need to legislate to extend marriage to same-sex couples

7 Oct 2008

Tuesday 7th October 2008:

To coincide with today's launch of Our Lives Out Loud, the memoirs of Dr Ann Louise Gilligan and her wife, Dr Katherine Zappone, MarriagEquality are urging the Irish Government to legislate to extend access to marriage to same-sex couples immediately and end the discrimination faced by all of Ireland's gay men and lesbians. Our Lives Out Loud documents the couple's monumental decision to pursue the recognition of their Canadian marriage in Ireland, a decision that marked a watershed in Irish social history.

Grainne Healy, Co-Chair, MarriagEquality commented, "Our Lives Out Loud records the courage of two women who risked their livelihood to fight for justice in Ireland. Their case may have been a personal one and a testament of their great respect and love for one another, but pending the outcome it will have major implications for all of Ireland's lesbians and gay men who are continually discriminated against in their own country."

She continued, "This book will forever document the treatment by the State of its lesbian and gay citizens. It will no doubt be a period that future Irish Governments will look back on with shame. However, now is the time to make those urgent changes, to make Ireland a just and equal society. The current Government must recognise that civil marriage must be legislated for immediately, lesbians and gay men deserve the same entitlements as all men and women on this island."

The publication of Our Lives Out Loud is timely as the Government has published details of a civil partnership scheme for same-sex couples. However, as highlighted in Our Lives Out Loud, civil partnership will continue to enforce discrimination against same-sex couples, 'separate rights are not equal rights'.

More information on Our Lives Out Loud can by found on http://www.obrien.ie/ or for information on MarriagEquality log onto www.marriagequality.ie or 01 6599 459.