JOHNNY says Gay marriage is a necessity for Ireland

Yoda

Saw this on gaire.com

johnny
Gay Peer Action Charity (CHY15505)
c/o Outhouse
105 Capel Street
Dublin 1

GAY MARRIAGE A NECESSITY FOR IRELAND

PRESS RELEASE

February, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No Embargo

JOHNNY, the gay peer action charity has made a vital submission to the All Party Oireachtas Committee that is reviewing the status of the Family in the Irish Constitution. The submission appeals to members of the Oireachtas committee to put an end to the culture of hate and intolerance in Irish society that is fuelled by myths, stereotypes, and propaganda that have no rational foundation in fact.

In order to bring about equality, the group asks for the introduction of legislation that allows for a wider interpretation of the term ‘Marriage’ as used in the Constitution, and thus recognise Civil Marriage for same-sex couples.

The submission outlines the current injustice and discrimination that Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgendered (LGBT) couples experience as a result of the State’s prohibition of Marriage for same-sex couples. The lack of recognition has led to grave inequality in accessing State services and other associated benefits of which only State recognised married couples can avail.
Consequently, the detailed submission argues that the State does not recognise each member of our society as equal; fails to acknowledge the diverse nature of the family unit; does not provide for the protection and well-being of every child; and has policies that do not correspond to the progress made across Europe and the World to end this discrimination.

JOHNNY is the leading LGBT voluntary peer education charity group on the island of Ireland; its primary aim is to promote health and well-being, provide services & resources to Gay & Bi-sexual men in Dublin and the greater Dublin area.

To view a copy of the submission please visit the JOHNNY website at www.johnny.ie or http://www.gayhealthnetwork.ie/folder/web/doc/Johnny_Oireachtas_SubJan05.doc etc ... JOHNNY is recognised as being a highly active and vocal advocate of the Gay and Bi-Sexual community and is an officially registered charity (CHY 15505).

Ends

For further information please contact:

Submission Group Project Manager, Pádraic Whyte: 086 6054654
Johnny Chairman, Conor Coughlan: 0861093013

It is a pity their submission is not made available in PDF format. Safer.

damien

It would have been of far more benefit to the community if they shared their submission in January besides press releasing this almost a month after the submission deadline.

Yoda

I agree with you. But of course "JOHNNY is the leading LGBT voluntary peer education charity group on the island of Ireland". Whatever good work they do, it's an élitist attitude. Our community is badly fragmented, and there is no coherent discussion and coordination.

The same goes for the ICCL seminar. I attended the first one, and was not contacted by the group about the second one. (As it happens I could not attend, but that isn't the point.)

I wonder if they did make a submission to the Oireachtas in time. If not, theirs won't be considered by that committee anyway.

memphis

I guess same sex marriages is the way forward, but I can't see this little Island of ours legalising it in the near future anyway.

Yoda

That's a helpful attitude. Do you believe it is because Irish people don't believe in fundamental fairness and human rights? Even if they don't, legislators may. And if they do not, Europe may make them. "This little island of ours" does nothing on her own. It's the people on it who do.

damien

Yoda wrote:

Our community is badly fragmented, and there is no coherent discussion and coordination.

The same goes for the ICCL seminar. I attended the first one, and was not contacted by the group about the second one ...

I wonder if they did make a submission to the Oireachtas in time.

The thing is the ICCL aren't even part of our community. They are a group that cares and works for every community to be treated as equals. Yet they are the ones that are most vocal and hard-working for civil partnerships and same sex rights. I also believe they sent in a submission to the Oireachtas.

I totally agree with their lack of communications with people but then they are, with a few exceptions, a voluntary group.

memphis

I say it because I still feel that ireland is still very much young and ignorant about the whole idea of gays/bisexuals!

I'm all for same sex marriage, but I just don't see the Irish government legalising it any time soon. Just my opinion!!!!