Gay marriage - We have to recognise all relationships

THERE remains a strong, widespread and emotional opposition to the State endorsing single-sex relationships by facilitating single-sex marriages.

This reaction may be informed by religious beliefs, a commitment to conservative social values or a reluctance to acknowledge that heterosexual relationships no longer form the only basis for Irish families.

As powerful and as deeply held as these beliefs may be, the argument that our fellow citizens living in single-sex relationships should be treated the same as the rest of us is even more powerful. A person should not be denied the full benefits or protection of citizenship because they are not heterosexual.