Campaign groups give cautious reaction to Bill

THE GAY and Lesbian Equality Network described the Civil Partnership Bill as “an historic civil rights reform” that would resolve “many immediate and pressing issues faced by lesbian and gay couples”.

Chairman Kieran Rose also said Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Dermot Ahern and the Government were to be congratulated on bringing forward the reform. However, Mr Rose said concerns remained about issues of legal support and recognition of “the many children being parented by same-sex couples”.

Fellow campaign group Equals was more critical, describing the Bill as a “discriminatory and second-class piece of legislation”.

Equals spokeswoman Lisa Connell, who was one of two activists who took part in a protest outside the Dáil on Thursday, said the Bill “creates a two-tier society where gay people and their families are treated like second-class citizens”.

Equals claimed a poll had indicated 81 per cent support for equal treatment from the State, regardless of sexuality.

It also claimed six out of 10 people believed that denying marriage to gay, lesbian bisexual and transgender people was a form of discrimination.

Among other groups that expressed reservation about the extent of the reform was the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, which welcomed the proposed changes, but described it as a “halfway house” on the road to equality for same-sex couples.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions said the Bill marked a “significant step forward” for gay, lesbian bisexual and transgender people, but Sinn Féin’s Aengus O Snodaigh said the community must be afforded “full marriage rights”.

Brendan Howlin of the Labour Party welcomed the “advance for the many thousands of loving same-sex couples who want to have their relationship recognised by the State to which they pay taxes”. But he added the Bill “ certainly falls short in terms of the commitment to equality”.

Fine Gael justice spokesman Charlie Flanagan said as legislators, politicians “need to recognise the diversity in society and promote the fundamental values of tolerance and equality.”

The announcement of the reform came during the 26th Dublin Pride festival which will feature the annual Pride Parade through the streets of Dublin today, the high point of the week-long festival which continues until Sunday.

A closing “Love and Remembrance” candlelit vigil will be held tomorrow at 6pm at the Oscar Wilde statue in Merrion Square.