Campaign for same-sex marriage takes to the streets

GAY rights’ activists will take to the streets of Dublin today to protest at the Government’s failure to bring forward same-sex marriage legislation.

The event is being organised by lobby group LGBT Noise which represents lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gender people. It is seeking a revised civil marriage law which would allow same-sex couples to be recognised in law.

Recently the Dáil voted down a private members’ bill introduced by the Labour Party’s Brendan Howlin which sought to introduce these measures.

Lobby group organiser Annie Hanlon said only full civil registration would give same-sex couples the protection needed in the key areas of pensions, inheritance and equality. She said while the Government had paid lip-service to the notion of legislating for same-sex marriages its early proposals did not go far enough.

“The purpose of this event is to raise awareness of the urgent need to provide protection and equality of status for gay couples although the Government’s overdue and vague proposal for a ‘civil partnership’ scheme may alleviate some of the hardships faced by gay couples, it will not address the core issue, that of equality.”

The Christmas carol-based demonstration will be led by the Gloria Choir.

Singers will gather at South King Street, opposite the Gaiety Theatre, at 12.30pm.

Those taking part will be asked to wear pink-heart badges which have been adopted as the symbol of the campaign.