GAY EQUALITY groups have given a mixed welcome to new civil partnership legislation that will extend many of the benefits and legal obligations of marriage to same-sex couples.
The Irish Timesreported yesterday that the heads of a new Bill are being finalised under which same-sex partners will be able to avail of marriage-like benefits in a range of areas such as property, social welfare, succession, maintenance, pensions and tax.
However, it will not provide any right for same-sex couples to be considered as joint adoptive parents, despite a strong campaign by gay equality groups.
The Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (Glen) said the Bill, as reported, had the potential to transform radically the lives of thousands of lesbian and gay couples.
"This is a reform whose time has come. All political parties have played a role in getting us to this point and there is huge public support for change," said Kieran Rose of Glen.
However, the group said it was vital that a framework is agreed that will allow children parented by lesbian and gay couples to establish a legal connection with those parenting them.
Mr Rose said he was encouraged that this issue was still the subject of negotiations at political level.
"This is a complex issue and deserves a calm and rational discussion," he said.
However, the lobby group MarriagEquality expressed disappointment that the new legislation will leave children of gay and lesbian people "outside the law".
The group's co-chair, Gráinne Healy, said equality will only be achieved for gay and lesbian couples by allowing them to marry and have all the rights and benefits received automatically by married heterosexual couples.
"While any legislation in this area - where hitherto there has been none - is welcome, if these reports are true, it is of great concern that gay and lesbian people will continue not to have the same rights as heterosexual couples," she said.
"We will reserve judgment on the scheme until we have a chance to analyse in detail what the Government is proposing. But we are adamant that the only way to achieve equality for gay and lesbian people is to allow them to marry in a civil registry office."
The group says there is growing public support for this position, as demonstrated in a national opinion poll it commissioned recently that showed 58 per cent of people are in favour of civil marriage for same-sex couples.
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Science must inform the
debate on same-sex
parenting: page 15;
Editorial comment: page 17