07/27/2007
Ireland Taoiseach Bertie Ahern Promises Action on Gay Marriage
At the opening of Outhouse, a renovated LGBT community center in Dublin, Ireland's Taoiseach Bertie Ahern promised to push legislation that would allow same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual married couples as soon as possible.
Said Ahern: "This government is committed to providing a more supportive and secure legal environment for same-sex couples. We will legislate for civil partnerships at the earliest possible date in the lifetime of this government."
Outhouse, according to the Irish Post, receives 25,000 visitors annually to its cafe, library, and business center. It was renovated following a pair of arson attacks.
Said Outhouse manager Louise Tierney: "The lack of recognition of same-sex relationships is a barrier to real equality. It engenders discrimination and puts gay people at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to basic rights around inheritance. The 30th Dail should prioritise legislative reform to allow for recognition of gay partnerships. While we would like to see such reform within the coming year it would be unacceptable if it did not take place within the lifetime of this Dáil (the lower house in the Irish parliament)."
Posted 8:50 AM EST by Andy Towle in Gay Marriage, Ireland, News | Permalink
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Outhouse?! LOL.
It hadn't occurred to me that this word might be parochially American. Go figure.
I hope no one cruises in the outhouse. It might upset Floridian mayors.
Posted by: Tyler | Jul 27, 2007 9:06:25 AM
Our choices of countries to emigrate to is increasing as Ireland seems to be making its way toward making us actual equal citizens.
Posted by: Bill | Jul 27, 2007 9:15:10 AM
Could it have anything to do with Kathy Griffin's recent trip? heh, I kid, I kid.
It's amazing that countries both small and large are light years ahead of America in the realization that gay people deserve to be kept on equal footing with the straight world.
Posted by: Rey | Jul 27, 2007 10:02:22 AM
It's amazing that Spain and Ireland, countries that were once the Saudi Arabia and Iran of Catholicism, have moved so far so fast civil rights and issues of secular social justice; especially on GLBT issues.
Who would have EVER thought that the USA would be trailing Ireland, Spain and SOUTH frickin AFRICA on issues of legally recognized and legally mandated civil rights?
The world is passing the “Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave” by. We have gone from being a leader to being an also ran; or at least we will be once we get off the bench.
God I miss America!
Posted by: Zeke | Jul 27, 2007 10:49:02 AM
Make that, "so far so fast ON civil rights..."
Posted by: Zeke | Jul 27, 2007 10:55:23 AM
Zeke -
South Africa has a Supreme Court that doesn't include John "Habeus Corpus is Subject to Presidential Whim" Roberts and Samuel "The Unitary Executive is Omnipotent" Alito?
Posted by: John | Jul 27, 2007 12:04:52 PM
So true, Zeke. I mean...on same-sex issues (or ANY issue), does the U.S. want to emulate high-I.Q. Europe or all those disastrous Mid East and African countries? It's ridiculous.
Posted by: Joe T. | Jul 27, 2007 1:31:55 PM
Hmm...if Bertie Aherne et al are so keen to put same-sex relations on an equal footing, why did they scupper the last bill that was put before Parliament so that they had to start all over again? Because they didn't want the issue to be a 'factor' in the recent election.
They have been "considering" the issue since 2002. The main reason for the delay is the fact that the Irish govt. is trying to come up with something that does not equate same-sex unions with the institution of marriage and "the family" which enjoy special protection under the Irish Constitution. In other words, they want to maintain the heirarchy between gay and straight relationships...
Posted by: atheist | Jul 27, 2007 6:32:31 PM
I used to think Ireland was so conservative, because it's so Catholic. But so is Spain, and Spain is pretty darn progressive, including with gay rights. The Irish here in America might lean conservative, but that's because Amerikkka is a Christian filth-pit in general.
Posted by: Johnny | Jul 28, 2007 6:43:13 PM
Ireland hasn't been "so Catholic" in a decade. I know old stereotypes die hard, and it's not utopia by any stretch of the imagination, but Ireland is a wealthy, confident, 21st century country these days.
Posted by: real irish | Jul 29, 2007 11:41:47 AM
Dublin has more gays per head of population than San Francisco
peace:)
x
Posted by: dublinaran | Jul 29, 2007 3:28:50 PM