Film highlights problems of children with gay and lesbian parents

Children with lesbian and gay parents face real discrimination because of the lack of equality for same sex families in Ireland under the Civil Partnership Act, according to a new short film launched today by Marriage Equality.

The campaign highlights some of the key differences between civil partnership and civil marriage, and seeks to raise awareness of Marriage Equality’s mission to end the marriage ban for same sex couples and the consequent discrimination faced by families and children.

The group claims that civil partnership legislation leaves same sex families and their children with fewer rights than married heterosexual families.

Research carried out by Marriage Equality has identified more than 140 differences between civil partnership and civil marriage.

The new short film, called "Rory’s Story", gives viewers a glimpse at the life of a boy who has two mums.

Marriage Equality Director Moninne Griffith said: "We want people to know that although Civil Partnership is a step in the right direction, it is not marriage and it’s not equality. For example, civil partnership does not allow children to have a legally recognised relationship with both of their parents - only the biological one. This causes all sorts of problems with schools and hospitals as well as around guardianship, access and custody."

Conor, a supporter of Marriage Equality who also grew up with two mums, echoed the message of the film, saying: "It scares me to know that when me and my brother were children, if anything had happened to our birth mum, there was a risk that we could have been taken from our other mum, because she is not recognised as our legal parent. That’s why campaigns like marriage equality are so important."

The film will be featured on Marriage Equality’s website, www.marriagequality.ie, YouTube channel and Facebook pages.