Gay issues and Irish General Election

As we know elections are on their way. The Gay Community must ask themselves what is on offer from each political party relating to gay rights.

Above this item is a letter which appeared in The Irish Times from Brendan Howlin, T D Labour Party spokesman expressing some concern as to why the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell postponed the introduction of Civil Union legislation which the Labour Party had proposed.

We feel that the gay community must let their voices be heard and the only way to do that is to get out there and vote. We must also realize that this coalition government will not go against the Church and is using the constitution to withhold our civil union rights. This is a blatant attack on human rights in this country and if we wish to change that then we as a community must show a united front and challenge the concept of family and the way to do that is making sure that our vote will work for us.

We cannot leave this fight to the Labour Party only. It is up to us to vigorously take up the challenge which this government has forced us to do. We all have the responsibility to see that this is done. We have the right to fight for a change in our constitution which does not recognize same-sex relationships because government and church see it as a threat to family values. We must also realize that the constitution was written at a time when there was no cohabitation by straight or gay couples and that family was seen in the traditional form of husband and wife and 2.5 children.

If we are living in a democratic state then human rights must be at the very central heart of our constitution which at the moment is not the case. Our vote no matter which party you support is one of the ways forward so we hope each and everyone of us will stand up on the day of the election and vote.