4,000 March for Marriage Equality in Ireland

by Brandon Miller · 2010-08-23 03:05:00 -0700
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It was just over a month ago that Irish lawmakers passed the Civil Partnership Bill, legislation that created "marriage-like" unions for same-sex couples that won't take effect until the fall. While that's a better proposition for gay couples than in many parts of the world, it's a far cry from what the gay and lesbian populations receive in many other Western European countries. And that's why Irish gays are fed up.

Over 4,000 Irish gays, lesbians, bisexuals and their supporters took to the streets of Dublin on Sunday to march for marriage equality. Among their arguments against the legitimacy of the Civil Partnership Bill is the fact that the legislation does not protect the children of same-sex couples. Furthermore, many feel the bill "has the effect of codifying inequality."

Basically, that's just a huge way of saying the bill falls way short. And it does. Even some of America's most jacked-up, backward-thinking states allow for the adoption of a same-sex partner's child. I'm not naming any names but ... hell, Texas even allows it in some jurisdictions.

I have nothing but respect for those marching to say that this bill is not good enough. Not for Ireland, at least. Organized by a group called LGBT Noise, the march started at Dublin City Hall before making its way through the city core. The group is reportedly calling for Civil Marriages for all of Ireland.

It's a huge testament to just how far LGBT equality has come when we are able to protest bills that actually do provide us some rights under the law (in this case, property, tax and social welfare rights) and demand more. It's hard to fault Ireland for a partnership bill when so many countries in the world outlaw homosexual acts altogether, but at the same time, progress must be made. These marchers are pounding the pavement for what they believe in and I sincerely hope that it pays off.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Brandon Miller is a freelance writer and editor from Toronto, Ontario.
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