THE NEXT government should upgrade the Civil Partnership Act to bring it into line with same-sex legislation in Northern Ireland, the Church of Ireland Changing Attitude Ireland group has said. It describes itself as “a network of persons, gay and heterosexual, working for the full affirmation of gay and lesbian persons in the Church of Ireland and other Christian denominations”. In a statement that welcomed the introduction of civil partnership in the Republic on New Year’s Day, and “the broad range of benefits that same-sex couples will now be entitled to under the new law”, the group’s secretary, Canon Charles Kenny, pointed out that the Act was still “second class” when compared to the legal situation in Northern Ireland. [Continue Reading]
Irish Times: Partnership laws come into force
New laws allowing same-sex couples to register their civil partnership have received a mixed reception as they come into force. The Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (Glen) described the Civil Partnership Act as a “new dawn” for gays and lesbians in Ireland, but another group condemned the Government’s failure to give full marriage rights to same-sex couples. LGBT Noise criticised the lack of parental rights for homosexuals and called on the Government to follow the example of other countries and “open up the choice of civil marriage to all citizens”. [Continue Reading]
Belfast Telegraph: Having a look at new attitudes
A group called Changing Attitude Ireland will be celebrating Communion and holding its AGM in St George’s Church, High Street, Belfast on October 2. The address will be given by former British Methodist Vice-President David Walton, also the main speaker at Grosvenor House on October 1. His topic will be: “The challenge and invitation to include lesbian and gay people in church life.” [Continue Reading]
