22/10/2012

Gilmore Confirms Support For Gay Marriage Is A Personal View

Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore has claimed his backing for gay marriage is Labour's way, not the Government's way.

Mr Gilmore confirmed he is speaking for the Labour Party, and not the Coalition, when he says the gay marriage is an issue "whose time is come".

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has repeatedly refused to support Mr Gilmore's stance, saying he speaks for the Government.

The Government's official position is gay marriage will be considered by the planned political reform think tank, the Constitutional Convention.

But Mr Kenny has not given a guarantee to hold a referendum on any changes the group comes up with.

Speaking at a major international conference on gay rights, Mr Gilmore once again threw his weight behind gay marriage.

"I think the whole position of gay and lesbian people has changed very dramatically over the course of the last 20 or 30 years. Ireland is now a much more tolerant society than it was back then. I believe gay marriage is an issue whose time has come.

"I believe it is a civil rights issue. It is something that is going to be considered by the Constitutional Convention," he said.

Although he was representing the Government at the conference, Mr Gilmore said his views on gay marriage were personal.

(H)


Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

26 May 2015
Marriage Referendum Results Welcomed
Sinn Féin said the result of the marriage referendum represents the lifting of discrimination against the gay community in the rest of the island of Ireland. Daithí McKay MLA is also calling for the same rights to be extended to Northern Ireland.
15 January 2015
Labour Welcomes Poll Showing Support For Marriage Equality
A new poll has revealed that up to 80% of people support same-sex marriage, Labour Party TD and Co-Chair of Labour LGBT, John Lyons, has said. Highlighting the Red C/Paddy Power poll, Mr Lyons said: "(The) poll builds upon consecutive national polls which show consistent support to afford gay and lesbian couples the right to civil marriage.
09 October 2012
McAleese Expresses Support For Gay Marriage
Former President of Ireland Mary McAleese has said she supports gay marriage. “I have no problem with it at all,” she said.
29 October 2013
Tanaiste Calls For Gay Adoption Legislation Ahead Of Marriage Referrendum
Legislation to allow the adoption of children by gay parents should be established ahead of a referendum on same-sex marriage, Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore has said.
10 July 2012
Quinn Says Full Gay Marriage Would Require Referendum
A full referendum would be required to introduce gay marriage, Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn has said. Saying that while the Labour Party has always supported gay marriage, the Constitution "defined marriage''. Adding that civil partnerships had delivered a certain amount of rights to gay couples.