Campaign Groups Welcome Government Commitment to Marriage Referendum

5 Nov 2013

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE: IRISH COUNCIL FOR CIVIL LIBERTIES (ICCL), GAY AND LESBIAN EQUALITY NETWORK (GLEN) AND MARRIAGE EQUALITY

MEDIA RELEASE: 5^THNOVEMBER 2013

Campaign Groups Welcome Government Commitment to Marriage Referendum

The Cabinet today (November 5th) accepted the recommendation of the Constitutional Convention and will hold a referendum on civil marriage for lesbian and gay couples in 2015. The decision has been welcomed by campaign groups GLEN, Marriage Equality and the ICCL.

Kieran Rose, GLEN Chair said “We are delighted with the Government’s decision to hold a referendum to provide equal access to civil marriage for lesbian and gay people in 2015. The Government’s acceptance of the Constitutional Convention recommendation is another historic step in the remarkable 20 year journey from gay law reform to full Constitutional equality for lesbian and gay people in Ireland.”

Grainne Healy, Chairwoman, Marriage Equality said, “Marriage Equality is confident that the people of Ireland overwhelmingly support the extension of civil marriage rights to lesbian and gay people. The Government announcement sets a process in motion whereby lesbian and gay couples and our families will finally be accepted as equal citizens in Irish law.” 

Mark Kelly, Director of ICCL said “The Constitutional Convention’s landslide vote in favour of allowing same sex couples to marry was a clarion call for equality which the Government has heard today.  When the people of Ireland vote on this issue in 2015, we will be participating in a final act of legal recognition of the full equality of our gay and lesbian colleagues and neighbours, friends and family”.

Ms Healy of Marriage Equality continued, “This referendum is unlike most other referenda, it’s not concerned with politics or economics, it’s about Ireland valuing its citizens equally. Introducing marriage equality to Ireland would strengthen our reputation as champions for human rights and equality. It would solidify the global belief in Ireland as the place of warm welcomes, warm welcomes to people from abroad, and to our own  at home, regardless of sexuality.”

Kieran Rose continued “Civil Partnership, introduced in 2010, which provides marriage-like rights and obligations for lesbian and gay couples has been a resounding success with widespread public welcome. The 1,500 civil partnerships that have been celebrated all across Ireland have shown that the love and commitment of lesbian and gay couples is the same as that of other couples. The next step to ensuring equal citizenship for lesbian and gay people is to provide equal access to civil marriage through a Constitutional referendum.”

Mark Kelly from ICCL said “Social attitudes in Ireland have changed profoundly – and for the better – over the last twenty years and the ICCL is confident that the vast majority of Irish voters will enthusiastically embrace this opportunity to play their part in creating a more equal nation”.

Ends

For further details contact:

Brian Sheehan             GLEN                           (086) 2330417   brian@glen.ie

Andrew Hyland           Marriage Equality       (087) 9088 322  andrew@marriagequality.ie

Mark Kelly                   ICCL                             (087) 4157162    mark.kelly@iccl.ie

Walter Jayawardene   ICCL                             (087) 9981574   Walter.Jayawardene@Iccl.Ie

Editors Note:

1. Timeline of progress for lesbian and gay people