Tag Archives: Ireland

A Catholic bishop in Ireland has a strange argument against same-sex marriage. Via Raw Story: According to [Bishop Kevin] Doran, it was not a “sin” to be gay, as long as people did not “behave” like homosexuals. “What the church asks of people who are homosexual by orientation is exactly the same as what the church asks of people who …

From the Independent: A new campaign launched today hopes to persuade people to vote yes in the same sex marriage referendum by showing how lives will be changed if passed. The Vote With Us campaign has enlisted a broad spectrum of public figures and regular citizens both gay and straight who share their own experiences and state why they are …

Via the Irish Times: Molly Sterling, a 16-year-old schoolgirl from Nenagh in Co Tipperary, has won Eurosong on the The Late Late Show and will represent Ireland at the 60th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna this May. The song, Playing with Numbers, co-written by Greg French, was announced the winner when it topped the scoreboard, which comprises a combination of …

Clip description: From U2’s latest album Songs Of Innocence, the video for ‘Every Breaking Wave’ is directed by Belfast-born Aoife McArdle and drawn from her 13-minute short film of the same name. Set against the social and political turmoil of early 1980s Northern Ireland where McArdle grew up, the film ‘Every Breaking Wave’ is built around themes of emotional abandon …

Drag legend Panti Bliss points out to the Irish Sun that not only will the results of Ireland’s marriage referendum be official on May 23rd, the Eurovision finals are also that day. Panti: “May 23rd has the potential to be so gay that the Earth’s orbit is affected.” Embiggen the image to read the full story.

Via the Guardian: Voters in the Irish Republic will decide whether to approve same-sex marriage on 22 May after the Taoiseach announced the date for a referendum. Enda Kenny announced the date that voters in the republic will cast their ballots during an interview on RTÉ television on Thursday night. He said the referendum would underline Ireland’s reputation as a …

The Irish government today approved the publication of the Children and Family Relationship Bill, which would legalize adoption by same-sex couples. From the Independent: Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald today secured cabinet support for the legislation, which Taoiseach Enda Kenny described as the most “important change to family law since the foundation of the State”. The bill will now be proofed …

According to a poll issued yesterday by the Independent, only 16% of Irish voters say they will definitely vote against same-sex marriage in the coming referendum. However more than one-fifth of poll respondents say they’ve not yet made up their minds. Activists have strongly cautioned against being complacent. The head of Ireland’s marriage equality group warns: “The biggest threat is …

Ireland’s same-sex marriage referendum is being given a 6/1 chance of passage by bookmakers Paddy Power. The controversial gambling outfit, which operates hundreds of betting parlors across Ireland and Great Britain, made international news in 2012 with the announcement that bets on Obama winning a second term would be paid out on the day before the election. Paddy Power regularly …

Via the Independent: A man’s participation in an equal marriage debate on TV3 has gone viral online – after his outburst left host Vincent Browne struggling to compose himself. The debate was part of Vincent Browne’s ‘People’s debate’, which was visiting Cork last night. The man involved in the debate got his words slightly confused when expressing his opposition to …

Irish drag legend and activist Panti Bliss grand-marshaled last year’s St. Pat’s For All Parade in Queens and she returns to New York City in June for two shows at the Irish Arts Center. Join Ireland’s High Queen, National Treasure, Performance Giant and Accidental Activist Panti in her smash hit comedy show, High Heels in Low Places. Panti Bliss landed …

Via Cahir O’Doherty at Irish Central: A number of top Irish LGBT equality and civil rights groups from Dublin have been holding high level meetings with influential and supportive community leaders in New York and Washington seeking their support, the Irish Voice has learned. Ireland heads to the polls in May to vote on civil marriage rights for same sex …

The Irish government today published the text of the national referendum on same-sex marriage, which will be held in May. Voters will be asked if they agree or disagree with this: “Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex.” More from RTE News: Fianna Fáil Justice Spokesperson Niall Collins said his …

From the same program I posted about earlier today.

Ireland’s public television network yesterday interviewed British hate group leader Sharon James during a forum on the coming same-sex marriage referendum. You may recall James from her dozens of anti-gay video clips, many of which were posted here in 2013. James’ Christian Coalition is currently pressing for a British “conscience clause” bill that would legalize business discrimination against gays. In …

Via the Irish Times: Minister for Health Leo Varadkar has come out publicly this morning, saying he is a “gay man”. “I am a gay man, it’s not a secret, but not something that everyone would necessarily know but isn’t something I’ve spoken publicly about before,” he told Miriam O’Callaghan on RTÉ Radio 1. “It’s not something that defines me,”he …

Via the Irish Journal: A new poll shows 76% support for same-sex marriage in Ireland, ahead of this summer’s referendum. The Red C poll was carried out by phone among 1002 people. The referendum will be held in May. It shows that 81% of women and 72% of men polled supported marriage for same-sex couples. People aged 18 – 24 …

Andy Towle provides some of the transcript: “Everyday I am jealous of straight people because that tiny intimate expression of affection has never once been mine…I am jealous of that because gay people do not get to hold hands in public without first considering the risk…We look around to see where are we, who’s around, what kind of place is …

Via the Irish Central: A Dublin priest received a standing ovation from his congregation this week as he called for same sex marriage equality in Ireland and came out to his parishioners. Father Martin Dolan, who has been a priest at Church of St Nicholas of Myra in Francis Street in Dublin’s city center for 15 years, opened up to …

The above flyer is reportedly being handed out on the streets of Dublin and is making the rounds on Irish social media today, much to the mocking laughter of progressives. Pink News has the text of the flyer: “As the date of the referendum to redefine the Irish Family draws ever closer it is time for christians of conscience to …