IRELAND: New From Marriage Equality

Ireland’s Constitutional Convention begins April 13th.

Ireland: Dublin Endorses Marriage Equality

Joe.My.God. reports:

Great news via press release from Ireland Marriage Equality:

Today Marriage Equality welcomes the news that Dublin City Council has passed a motion in support of civil marriage for same sex couples. Two motions in support of marriage equality were put forward - by councillors from Labour and Sinn Féin - and passed at last night’s council meeting, having been considered jointly. Dublin City Council joins Cork City Council and Belfast City Council, who passed similar motions in June, as well as Omagh, Down, Moyle and Magherafelt District Councils who passed motions during the summer months.

“This is a wonderful step by Dublin City Council to raise awareness of this important issue at a local level. We’d like to thank the councillors from both Labour and Sinn Féin for their initiative, and our supporters in Dublin who spoke to their councillors over the last few months about raising the issue,” said Marriage Equality Director Moninne Griffith. “Marriage equality is not just a national issue, it’s a local one. It’s about respecting and protecting loving couples and families who are part of our communities and treating them as equal. That is why putting the issue on the agenda at local level is so important.”

The vote was 38-4!

Ireland: Deputy Prime Minister (Tanaiste) Eamon Gilmore, Comes Out In Support Of Marriage Equality

Pink News UK reports:

The Deputy Prime Minister (Tanaiste) of Ireland, Eamon Gilmore, has told Dublin Pride that the law should be changed to allow same-sex couples the same rights to marry as opposite sex couples.
Mr Gilmore, who is the leader of the Irish Labour Party and serves as Deputy Prime Minister in a Coalition Government said that politicans should no longer dictate who people fall in love with or who they decide to spend their lives with.
“I believe in gay marriage,” he said. “The right of gay couples to marry is, quite simply, the civil rights issue of this generation, and, in my opinion, it’s time has come.”
“As leader of Labour, a party for whom the politics of personal freedom is so central, I acknowledge that when it comes to promoting understanding and respect, progress has been made in recent years. However, there are some outstanding matters, and if we as a party are serious about building a new progressive society, these are matters that we will have to resolve.
“I believe that in certain key areas, our laws are out of step with public opinion. I don’t believe for example, that it should ever be the role of the State to pass judgment on whom a person falls in love with, or whom they want to spend their life with.”
Kieran Rose, the chairman of GLEN (Gay and Lesbian Equality Network) said: “We warmly welcome the strong leadership given by the Tánaiste in declaring that the ‘time has come’ for civil marriage for lesbian and gay couples.
“The Tánaiste is right when he says that ‘our laws our out of step with public opinion’. The huge popular enthusiasm and support for civil partnerships across the country and the polls showing 73% public support demonstrate that Ireland is ready to move to civil marriage for lesbian and gay couples.”
The statements made by Mr Gilmore echo those of his British counterpart Nick Clegg. Mr Clegg, Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister recorded a video for the Out4Marriage campaign where he said: “I’ve always been very clear on this: love is the same, straight or gay, so the civil institution should be the same too. All couples should be able to make that commitment to one another, regardless of who they love.
Mr Clegg added: “Let me just say, whether you are a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual or straight: your freedom to love who you choose is a fundamental right in a liberal society – and you will always have our support. That’s why I’m Out4Marriage.”

In 2011, British Prime Minister David Cameron told the Conservative Party conference “It shouldn’t matter whether commitment was between a man and a woman, a man and another man or a woman and a woman.”
He added: “And to anyone who has reservations, I say this: Yes, it’s about equality, but it’s also about something else: commitment. Conservatives believe in the ties that bind us; that society is stronger when we make vows to each other and support each other.
“So I don’t support gay marriage in spite of being a Conservative. I support gay marriage because I am a Conservative.”

Ireland: Bid To Overturn Laws Prohibiting Gay Marriages Welcomed

Pink News UK reports:

A new legal challenge has been launched in Ireland to test the country’s legislation which currently prohibits gay marriages from taking place.
Senator Katherine Zappone and Dr. Ann Louise Gilligan will issue the new legal challenge as part of their long fight to have their Canadian marriage recognised under Irish law, which is heading to the Supreme Court.
The couple’s bid to have their marriage recognised began in 2004, before Ireland introduced provisions for separate civil partnerships for gay couples, which came into effect at the start of 2011.
Senator Zappone said today: “It became clear to us that, even if we succeeded with our original case, the provisions within the Civil Registration Act and the Civil Partnership Act would remain.
“So it became imperative to shelve our Supreme Court appeal and proceed to challenge this Act before the High Court.”
Among other questions, High Court proceedings will examine whether the Civil Registration Act 2004, which defined marriage as being between a man and a woman, is valid under the constitution’s equality protections. The Civil Partnership Act, which prohibits people who have registered a civil partnership from marrying, will also be examined.
Marriage Equality Director Moninne Griffith said today: “We are happy to hear of Senator Zappone and Dr Gilligan’s decision.
“This new case will focus on the provisions in both Acts which prohibit same sex couples from marrying in Ireland, even if they are legally married in another jurisdiction. Their original case was in the High Court in 2006, and so much has changed in 6 years: Civil Partnership was introduced last year, public support has risen from 56% in 2008 to 73% earlier this year, and the government has committed to looking at the issue of marriage equality in the upcoming Constitutional Convention.”
Ms Griffith added: “We’ve seen important developments overseas as well.
“More countries have allowed same-sex couples to marry, the Oxford English Dictionary now includes same-sex couples in its definition of ‘marriage’, and world leaders including David Cameron, Francois Hollande and Barack Obama have voiced their support for marriage equality.”
Marriage Equality pointed out that its 2011 report “Missing Pieces” found more than 160 differences between the rights afforded by civil partnerships and civil marriages, including issues around immigration, finance and family rights.
Ms Griffith said: “Irish people understand that the issue of marriage equality is about Irish values – equality and protecting our families – the people we love. This year, 73% of people said they believe marriage equality should be enshrined in the Irish Constitution. That is a clear indication that as a country we are ready to fulfil our Constitutional commitment to equality for all.
“We are therefore calling on government to begin work on the Constitutional Convention as soon as soon as possible and to prioritise dealing with the issue of marriage equality therein. This is a key opportunity for the Government to listen to public support and legislate for equality, rather than having the issue decided in the courts.”

Ireland: Proposed Bill Will Command Priests To Report Confessed Pedophilia

Finally! Something that all make these kid-fuckers face justice.

Joe.My.God. reports:

Ireland is in an uproar over a proposed bill which would make it a crime for priests to withhold crimes of pedophilia revealed in the confession booth.

Irish priests have vowed to defy a new law forcing them to report details of sexual abuse revealed in the confessional box. Ireland’s Justice Minister Alan Shatter is to introduce new legislation which will force the clergy to reveal all details disclosed in confession. But priests have vowed to defy the law despite the threat of a 10-year jail sentence after the introduction of the mandatory reporting legislation. The 800 strong Association of Catholic Priests has even told the Irish Independent newspaper that its members will flout the Shatter law.

Dublin Bishop Raymond Fields: “The seal of the confessional is inviolable as far as I am concerned, and that’s the end of the matter.” The new penalty for any Irish citizen who withholds knowledge of child abuse, priest or not, would be up to ten years in prison.

RELATED: As you’d expect, America’s loudest defender of accused priests, Bill Donohue, is ever so pissed about the proposed law.

Ireland: Priest’s PC Autoplays Porn Slideshow To Congregation 

Gizmodo reports:

Father Martin McVeigh was giving a talk to 26 parents and one 8-year-old kid when computer disaster struck. He connected his USB drive into a PC to start his Powerpoint presentation and, instead of the word of God, a hardcore gay porn slideshow started—thanks to Windows’ autoplay.
Some parents—who were there to hear McVeigh talk about First Communion—were angry. Others were in shock. Just like McVeigh. He was so embarrassed that, according to witnesses, unplugged the USB drive and walked out of the room without uttering a single word. Later he declared to the press:
I don’t know how it happened but I know what happened. There are people making innuendoes who weren’t even there but in this day and age these stories grow.
Well, Father, I think there’s little space for innuendo after showing gay porn in church. McVeigh, however, claims there is an explanation for all this.
The Archdiocese of Armagh, where the parish belongs, called the police and gave them the USB stick for inspection. The police told them there was no crime in gay porn and the drive didn’t contain any pedophilia. It was just normal gay porn.

According to The Ulster Herald, “an emergency meeting was held in the parish last night.” You know, because gay priests are such a rare event that emergency meetings need to be held with the utmost urgency, so everyone can slam someone who mistakenly made his sexual preferences public. Embarrassment is not enough! To the fire with him.

(Tipped by R. King).

Ireland: Marriage Equality Moves A Step Closer 

Pink News UK reports:

Members of Fine Gael, a centrist party in the Republic of Ireland, have voted at the party’s Árd Fheis to prioritise the consideration of equal marriages in the country at the forthcoming Constitutional Convention.
According to reports in the Irish media, FG members have approved motions proposed by several branches of the party in Dublin, calling on the government to “ensure that the Constitutional Convention prioritises an analysis of the proposals for same-sex marriage in Ireland.” Among the speakers in favour of the motion were justice minister Alan Shatter and TD for Dublin South-Central, Catherine Byrne.
This is not to say that the call is an official party policy, but it does mean that FG is in favour of reviewing the current legal position, which outlaws civil marriage between two people of the same sex. With Labour and Fianna Fáil already in favour of marriage equality, all of the parties in Ireland are now prepared to look at the law with a view to revision.
So, the Constitution Convention is now likely to make the issue its top priority, which will now have the decision as to whether to allow a referendum on equal marriage.
Both the Marriage Equality Group and the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network have welcomed the move, with the former issuing a statement pointing to public opinion, measured by polls, pointing to almost three in four Irish nationals being in favour of extending marriage to same-sex couples.
Kieran Rose, chairman of GLEN, described the passing of the motion as “a great step forwards in further building a political consensus for civil marriage for same-sex couples.” She added that the vote also built on “the widespread acceptance and support for the Civil Partnerships that are taking place all across the country”.
“All we need now is for the legislation to catch up to public opinion,” said Moninne Griffith, director of Marriage Equality. “We will be engaging in debate with the members of the Convention, and other stakeholders, as to how marriage equality can be introduced as quickly as possible.”

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Colin Farrell & Gay Brother Eamon Want To End Homophobia In Ireland

The Advocate reports:

Actor Colin Farrell wants to end antigay bullying in Ireland, saying he witnessed attacks on his gay brother, Eamon, when they were younger.
Both Farrell brothers have joined forces with Stand Up! Don’t Stand for Homophobic Bullying, a campaign launched last week by the Irish LGBT youth organization,BeLonG To. 
“Each individual, as a member of his and her community, must Stand Up! In the face of this appalling brutality that plagues our schools,” Colin says in a statement. “In effect, bullying is no less than the systematic doling out of pain upon the innocent. It is literally laughing in the face of somebody as they fall into increasingly grave danger. It’s not my place to draw parallels, but we have had enough of such hardships. The world has.” 
He continues, “Whether it be the attacking of gay students, which I witnessed first hand happening to my own brother, or students who are in the minority as a result of race or religious beliefs or any other such characteristic that separates them from ‘the norm,’ it is all wrong and has no place in a just and compassionate country such as I know Ireland to be. We have always been praised as being the friendliest and most welcoming race in the world. My wish is for us to prove it daily, in the school yards and playgrounds across this Great Land of Ours.”

Ireland: Poll Finds Irish Support For Marriage Equality At 73%

Pink News UK reports:

Equal marriage advocates have welcomed a poll which puts public support for allowing gay couples to marry at 73%.
The poll, by Red C, showed nearly three quarters of those asked said they would agree with the statement: “Same sex marriage should be allowed in the Constitution”.
The results were presented to Ireland’s Oireachtas yesterday in a report prepared for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the last Constitutional referendum.
Kieran Rose, Chair of Ireland’s Gay and Lesbian Equality Network said: “The poll confirms the openness of Irish people and their support for further critically important progress to achieving equality for lesbian and gay people.
“GLEN’s goal, and that of lesbian and gay people, is access to civil marriage which is the only option that will achieve equality of status with opposite-sex couples and which would underpin a wider equality for lesbian and gay people.” said Rose
“The proposed Constitutional Convention provides the opportunity to build on the progress of Civil Partnership and provide constitutional protection for our relationships. It also offers a very important opportunity to protect all families equally, including lesbian and gay headed families.
1005 people were polled ahead of a Constitutional Convention which will consider giving couples equal marriage rights.
Moninne Griffith, Marriage Equality’s Director said: “The results of today’s Red C poll are vitally important.
“It shows that not only are Irish people in favour of marriage equality, but they are also in favour of its inclusion in our Constitution. That is a huge step forward in our work to achieve equality for same-sex couples and families all over Ireland.”
“We will be engaging fully with the Constitutional Convention and we look forward to engaging in debate with the members of the Convention, and other stakeholders, as to how marriage equality can be introduced as quickly as possible.
“With 73% of the population in favour of allowing marriage equality in the Constitution, the Irish people are clearly ready for marriage equality.”
Marriage Equality said the level of support for lifting the ban on gay marriages had grown from 56% in 2008.

Matt Baume: Marriage News Watch

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Ireland: Comedian Oliver Callan Comes Out Live On TV, Silencing Homophobic Accusations 

The Huffington Post reports:

Over the weekend Oliver Callan, the Irish satirist and impressionist most famous for his “Nob Nation” and“Green Tea” radio shows, which poke fun at politicians and celebrities, appeared on Ireland’s“The Saturday Night Show.”
Callan has been making headlines in Ireland due to a controversy over several parodies of media personalities like Kerry GAA football star Paul Galvin that many have labeled homophobic.
Galvin himself said that watching Callan’s impression of him — which implied that the reason the football star is such a fashion plate is all the years he’s spent in the closet — “on the couch with his parents” made for “the most excruciating night of his life.”
Most expected Callan to appear on “The Saturday Night Show” to defend his sketches, however, they probably didn’t expect him to go about it in exactly the way he did — by coming out on live television.
When asked about the accusations of homophobia, Callan responded, “Let’s get one thing straight, I’m not homophobe because I’m gay. Big deal!”
When pressed by the host of “The Saturday Night Show” with the comment “I think a lot of people will be surprised,” the comedian responded, “Why? Judges do it. Actors do it. Teachers do it. Farmers do it,” which triggered a huge round of applause from the studio audience.
Callan added, “I’m not going around singing about how I’m gay and I’m proud. I’m gay and I don’t really give a shit to be honest.”
Speaking about coming out, he said, once you’re finally out of the closet you think “what was the fuss about there?…I try to have a laugh about it to get rid of the intolerance… try to normalize it a little bit.”
In response to the Galvin controversy, theMirror reports Callan said:

 

• “I mean is it so horrendous to him that people might speculate wrongly that he’s gay just for wearing man bags? “Paul Galvin claims he felt it was excruciatingly difficult to watch me poke fun at his fashion sense and him throwing shapes around Manhattan with a T-shirt that had a neckline down to his nipples… Straight men should not be insulted to be sent up like a gay.”

Ireland: No Gay President This Time

The Advocate reports:

David Norris had led polls early in the race to become Ireland’s president, before he dropped out and then jumped back in amid a scandal. But the senator, who could have become the world’s first openly gay president, has conceded defeat today. 

Early poll results show him finishing a distant fourth, and so Norris became the first candidate to congratulate Labor Party candidate Michael Higgins on what appears to be his win. 

Paul Allen from the Norris campaign criticized the media in reaction to the loss in an interview with the Irish Times. Allen said Norris had endured “severe pressure” but “he never crumbled.” 

Norris was accused of favoring pedophilia based on an old newspaper interview that misquoted him, and then he quit the race when it was discovered he’d written a letter to authorities in Israel pleading for clemency for his then-partner Ezra Nawi in a statutory rape case. The letter was written on official stationary in 1997 but had not surfaced until the presidential campaign.

Norris later re-entered the race when polls indicated he could still win if he jumped back in. That hope didn’t materialize after voters went to the polls on Thursday. 

A message posted on the candidate’s Facebook page from his campaign claimed Norris as an example to others of what’s possible politically.

“For anyone who ever feels that something is ever too difficult they can look at David Norris as their inspiration, stand on the shoulders of this giant and reach for their dreams,” wrote Norris staffers.