The Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) in Ireland has marked the huge success of civil partnerships and the 2nd anniversary of the Dáil and Seanad passing the civil partnership legislation.
Kieran Rose, GLEN Chair, said:
“Over 750 couples have availed of civil partnership, which has given them marriage-like rights and protections. Many hundreds of other couples have had their foreign civil marriages or civil partnerships recognised as Irish civil partnerships. All of these couples are pioneers who are transforming perceptions of lesbian and gay relationships. They are bringing the day of civil marriage much, much closer.”
Two years ago, the President signed the Civil Partnership Act 2010, which had just been passed by the Dáil and Seanad. This landmark achievement for Ireland recognised lesbian and gay relationships for the first time and was supported by every Political Party.
"Now is the time to move full Constitutional equality for lesbian and gay people by providing access to civil marriage. This is not a massive legislative leap; it is the next step building on the success of Civil Partnership legislation” concluded Rose.
