Gilmore Backs Same Sex Marriage

L.Jenkins

http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/1113/gilmore-same-sex-marriage-referendum.html

Was browsing RTE this morning, when I found the above article. So finally Same Sex Marriage is on the table for discussion and a proposed referendum.

Locker10a

I still dont think it will happen for another 10 years or so! I just cannot see the current goverment doing this! And if it does come to a referendum I fear it will be a bloodbath!

L.Jenkins

We can live in hope.

jaffacakesyum

I doubt it will happen mostly for economical reasons. No point in doing a referendum for gay rights sure it's not a priority :rolleyes:

Vojera

I'm happy that Gilmore keeps bringing this up. I hope he can pressurise Fine Gael since they're not on the same page yet.

Annasopra

jaffacakesyum wrote: »

I doubt it will happen mostly for economical reasons. No point in doing a referendum for gay rights sure it's not a priority :rolleyes:

I dunno - maybe I'm mistaken but I could have sworn that

1: Gilmore said in June this was a priority
2: Labour insisted on this being in the constitutional convention
3: Gilmore addressed the ILGA Europe conference last month
4: Labour cllrs in Dublin, Fingal, Cork, Waterford, Louth supported the issue
5: Gilmore reiterated support this morning

jaffacakesyum

mango salsa wrote: »

I dunno - maybe I'm mistaken but I could have sworn that

1: Gilmore said in June this was a priority
2: Labour insisted on this being in the constitutional convention
3: Gilmore addressed the ILGA Europe conference last month
4: Labour cllrs in Dublin, Fingal, Cork, Waterford, Louth supported the issue
5: Gilmore reiterated support this morning

Thats Gilmore. Regardless i really dont think we're going to see a referendum anytime soon on this. If it was an all labour government, perhaps.

periodictable

Gilmore.....our Tanaiste who is diligently fulfilling all of his election promises? Don't hold your breath.

Annasopra

periodictable wrote: »

Gilmore.....our Tanaiste who is diligently fulfilling all of his election promises? Don't hold your breath.

Thanks but I will

Barna77

You know what, let's get married. I'm calling Jeanie Gold to organise it :pac:

periodictable

mango salsa wrote: »

Thanks but I will[/QUOTE
Promise?

eVeNtInE

This post has been deleted.

Annasopra

periodictable wrote: »

mango salsa wrote: »

Thanks but I will

Promise?

I'll think about it!

stephen_n

The same Gilmore who PROMISED not to pay anymore unsecured bond holders?

shucks!

actions speak louder than words.

floggg

Good to see everybody is so cautiously optimistic.

I for one think this is likely to go to a referendum soon enough, probably as part of a package of proposals but forward by the constitutional convention.

I think a lot of parties want to be seen as progressive, yet at the same time want the cover that a referendum would provide them by being a decision of the people.

stephen_n

floggg wrote: »

Good to see everybody is so cautiously optimistic.

I for one think this is likely to go to a referendum soon enough, probably as part of a package of proposals but forward by the constitutional convention.

I think a lot of parties want to be seen as progressive, yet at the same time want the cover that a referendum would provide them by being a decision of the people.

Problem with that, is referendum's have become a forum, for voters to vent their displeasure, rather than actually vote on issues of change.

floggg

stephen_n wrote: »

Problem with that, is referendum's have become a forum, for voters to vent their displeasure, rather than actually vote on issues of change.

There's a loud cynical minority who complain about everything (even when politicians try to do good).

I honestly don't get it - a politican comes out and announces he wants to achieve something positive, and people just start bitching.

Fine, you might be cynical of his motives, but instead of just dismissing the notion, why not say "ok, let's put pressure on him to stick to his word. Lets work to build momentum so he doesn't decide that pursuing it isn't in his interests politically."

If you think people are too cynical about referendums and will just vent, why not get up off your ass/keyboard and do something about it.

It doesn't take much - if you think your friends and family are the type to vent rather than vote on the merits, why not talk to them and explain the importance of the issue, what it means for LGBT people and their families and allay any fears they have.

The recent US referendums showed that it was personal interaction and dialogue by the pro-equality side that persauded voters on the issue.

If every LGBT person talked to friends and got one or two extra votes we'd be there.

But I guess it's just easier sit back and see everything as pointless political posturing.

stephen_n

floggg wrote: »

There's a loud cynical minority who complain about everything (even when politicians try to do good).

I honestly don't get it - a politican comes out and announces he wants to achieve something positive, and people just start bitching.

Fine, you might be cynical of his motives, but instead of just dismissing the notion, why not say "ok, let's put pressure on him to stick to his word. Lets work to build momentum so he doesn't decide that pursuing it isn't in his interests politically."

If you think people are too cynical about referendums and will just vent, why not get up off your ass/keyboard and do something about it.

It doesn't take much - if you think your friends and family are the type to vent rather than vote on the merits, why not talk to them and explain the importance of the issue, what it means for LGBT people and their families and allay any fears they have.

The recent US referendums showed that it was personal interaction and dialogue by the pro-equality side that persauded voters on the issue.

If every LGBT person talked to friends and got one or two extra votes we'd be there.

But I guess it's just easier sit back and see everything as pointless political posturing.

The old joke "how do you know when a politician is lying, his lips are moving" comes to mind! At the moment like Labours pre-election promises, this is just empty rethoric, from a soundbite specialist. Gilmore has spent to many years in opposition and forgets he is supposedly in a position to follow through now.

As for referendum being used for the purposes of venting, this is a proud tradition in Ireland and I applauded your over enthusiastic optimism in the power of the individual. People can see or at least think they can see consequences to voting in general elections. However in referendums they assume and rightly so, that either it will be passed or failing that, we will just go again untill it is passed. The only referendum that will carry weight should it come again, is abortion. Other than that referendums have been relegated to opinion polls of the ****ty political system we have.

Apart from which, what the referendum is about will also factor into voting, like the most recent one, it could well be a whitewash, with no genuine conviction to change!

periodictable

floggg wrote: »

There's a loud cynical minority who complain about everything (even when politicians try to do good).

Fair point...but look at the X case...20 years and you can count on one hand, less a couple of fingers, those politicians who state that they want legislation allowing abortion enacted.
Labour is in power 2 years...few election promises followed through, as well as naked nepotism, eg Joe and Emer Costelloe. Furthermore, in a gay marriage thread on this forum, many gay posters seemed not to favour gay marriage.
I'll leave it to the Bard to sum up politicians:
" it lies you on to speak
To the people; not by your own instruction,
Nor by the matter which your heart prompts you,
But with such words that are but rooted in
Your tongue, though but bastards and syllables
Of no allowance to your bosom's truth."