Sunday, July 15, 2012

700 gay and lesbian couples tie the knot

More than 700 gay and lesbian couples have tied the knot since civil partnership was introduced last year. 
Same-sex civil partnerships now account for 2.6% of all partnerships in Ireland. 

Of the 734 same-sex couples who entered into civil partnerships, 448 were gay couples and 286 were lesbian.

The Civil Partnership Bill was passed by the Dáil on Jul 1, 2010 and came into force on Jan 1, 2011. So far, 50% of all civil partnerships have taken place in Dublin, with every county celebrating at least one.

Director of Marriage Equality Moninne Griffith said: "That is wonderful. It tallies with the research we have done over recent months and shows that the days are gone when LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) people felt they have to leave for London or New York to be accepted," she said.

Ollie Kennedy, who recently celebrated a civil partnership with his partner, James, said he was surprised by the figures. "I have only heard of a few actually taking place, but I know of a lot who are going to do it next year," he said.

"I’m very happy, but I am raging as well, because we would love to have all the rights and entitlements as any married couple."

These latest figures support the recent views expressed by Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore and Minister for Justice Alan Shatter supporting gay marriage.

Mr Gilmore said he hoped the topic of gay marriage would be discussed at the Constitutional Convention later this year.

"I believe in gay marriage. The right of gay couples to marry is, quite simply, the civil rights issue of this generation, and, in my opinion, its time has come," he said.

Mr Shatter said he fully supports equality: "I believe individuals should be able to get on with their lives freely, where their circumstances don’t detrimentally impact on others."

Despite this political support for same-sex marriage, Mr Kennedy does not think it will come around any time soon.

"We have waited so long for this and I would love to think that it will happen in the near future, but I’m trying to think realistically," he said.