Gay marriage activists protest at limitations of legislation

GAY marriage activists fired a shot across the bows of the Government yesterday with a demonstration warning the imminent publication of Civil Partnerships legislation does not go far enough.

Will St Ledger, from Tipperary, climbed the gates of Leinster House and refused to come down for three hours. He eventually climbed off the gate post and was arrested by gardaí who arrested him for trespassing.

Earlier fellow demonstrator Lisa Connell had chained herself to the gates on Kildare Street until she was cut away. Both were members of the newly formed Equals organisation, which has been set up as a non-violent direct action group demanding marriage equality. Their demonstration coincided with the announcement in the Dáil that legislation to allow Civil Partnerships for gay couples will be published within days.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan, handling the Order of Business session, said the text had been agreed at this week’s Cabinet meeting and would be released soon. “The Government approved the text at its meeting this week and publication is imminent. It will take place within the next few days.”

However, Ms Connell said, if the Government believes the gay community will be satisfied with the Civil Partnerships Bill, it is wrong.

She said the bill will only legislate for a second-class relationship and will ignore the fact gay couples can have children and want full marriage rights.

Equals has called on Justice Minister Dermot Ahern to change civil marriage law to recognise gay couples instead of creating a new layer of relationship.

“This is about highlighting the problems with the bill because there is a lot of confusion about what is being looked for,” said Ms Connell.

She and her father recently contested council seats in Dublin city and Donegal respectively on the marriage equality issue although neither was elected.

Mr St Ledger’s protested ended at 1.30pm when he came down from the pillar at the request of gardaí and voluntarily went to Pearse Street station.

A spokesman for Equals said the protest was designed to highlight the issues and was not intended to be a protracted demonstration. Before it ended supporters arrived waving flags. The demonstration took place during Dublin city’s Pride Week, where events are organised to celebrate the gay and lesbian community and promote sexual equality.