Labour Youth Calls For End To Discrimination Against Same Sex Couples

national | worker & community struggles and protests | press release Friday June 16, 2006 18:42 by Graham Ó Maonaigh - Labour Youth

Labour Youth is organising a weekend of debate and discussion marking
the 90th anniversary of the death of Labour founder James Connolly. The
Connolly Festival takes place this evening and all-day tomorrow (Friday
and Saturday) in the Teachers Club, Parnell Square, Dublin 1.

The Connolly Festival is opening tonight at 8pm with a discussion on
advancing the campaign for same sex marriage. Speakers tonight include
Marie Mulholand who chaired the Irish Council for Civil Liberties
working group on civil partnerships and Rachel Mathews Mc Kay, Co-Chair
of the Labour Party’s Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) group.

Speaking in advance Labour Youth Chair Graham O’Maonaigh said: “The time
has long past for the State to recognise in law the rights of same sex
couples.

“Same sex couples contribute to Irish society through work, paying
taxes, active citizenship, community building and contributing to the
artistic and cultural development of Ireland just as much as any other
couples.

“It is outrageous that the government continues to discriminate against
members of the LGBT community.

“There has been much talk from government sources over the last few
years about action in this area – but nothing has been done and state
discrimination continues. Why should two people who are in love be
denied the same protections under law as other couples just because they
are gay?

”Labour Youth is calling for the introduction of civil marriage rather
than simply civil partnership. Civil Partnerships, while a step forward,
would still relegate same sex couples to the status of second class
citizens. Members of the LGBT community want full equality. Anything
less is still discrimination.”

ENDS - For more info contact Graham O’Maonaigh at 086 8381556
www.LabourYouth.ie

*Connolly Festival Agenda enclosed

Connolly Festival
Friday 16 June, 2006 - Saturday 17 June, 2006
Venue: Teachers Club 36 Parnell Square

Friday, June 16th,

8 pm Same Sex Marriage

· Rachel Mathews McKay, Labour LGBT

· Marie Mulholand, Chair of Irish Council for Civil Liberties Working
Group on Partnership Rights

Saturday, June 17th

10 am Pro Choice Activism

· Jane Horgan Jones, UCD Students Union

· Marianne Farrelly, BODY (Youth Pro Choice Group)

11.30 am Boycott Coke

· Claire Hall, UK Students Against Coke

· Paul Dillon, Irish Boycott Coke campaign

2.30 pm: US Military out of Shannon

· Cllr Declan Bree

· Cormac Mc Mahon, anti war activist

4.30 pm: Rossport

· Tommy Broughan TD

· Tracey Ryan, Rossport Solidarity Camp

Saturday Night: Connolly Social, Nealons of Capel St.