Children of same-sex parents are in a family

The ‘no’ side says that civil partnership provides full legal protection for same-sex couples, so why do so few heterosexual couples avail of civil partnerships?

Our Constitution and courts recognise a heterosexual married couple as a ‘family’ (with or without children); however, a same-sex civil partnership couple (with or without children) is not recognised as a ‘family unit’.

If children are in an ‘alternative’ arrangement (through adoption, surrogacy, guardianship, foster care, birth to one of the parents, etc), then surely these children have the right to the protection that the Constitution and legal system afford all families in Ireland.

Or, is the ‘no’ side saying to those children living with their same-sex parents that they are not part of a family because their parents are not married?

Alison Hackett

Crosthwaite Park East

Dun Laoghaire

Co Dublin