Immigrant Council calls for Yes vote for marriage equality

The Immigrant Council of Ireland has called for a Yes vote in the same-sex marriage referendum. The council said the change would “complete a journey to equality for same-sex couples”.

As the campaign enters its final days before voting on May 22nd, David Quinn of the Iona Institute said the Referendum Commission had confirmed to the institute that under the proposed constitutional change, two friends would be able to marry each other as a joke, or to avail of tax advantages.

Brian Killoran, chief executive of the Immigrant Council, said the organisation was proud of its record of campaigning for rights and protections for members of the LGBT.

“As a frontline human rights organisation we believe that everyone in this country should enjoy the same rights and protections in the eyes of the law, and that no-one should have to fear that agencies of the State will see them as different.”

The Iona Institute, which is calling for a No vote, said the Referendum Commission had confirmed that two heterosexuals of the same sex would be allowed to marry each other under the proposed change.

Mr Quinn, the institute’s director, said the prospect of “two straight friends of the same sex” being allowed to marry confirmed “the extent to which the current meaning and understanding of marriage would be radically changed”.

Marriage was “the sexual union of one man and one woman” and if the referendum was passed, it would be “open to any two people who are not closely related and are of the right age”.

He said a case had arisen in New Zealand where two straight male friends, Travis McIntosh and Matt McCormick had married. “They did it for a joke, but it was legally recognised,” he said.

"Over time, as the public understanding of marriage changes, and as people realise marriage is no longer understood as a sexual union per se, some will marry simply to avail of tax advantages, especially in terms of being able to inherit one another's property without paying heavy tax."

He said two straight friends who wished to marry in order to gain the tax benefits, “won’t have to pretend anything given the drastic change to the legal understanding and meaning of marriage on offer”.