Photos from the Midsummer LGBT ball
dublin |
rights, freedoms and repression |
news report 
Thursday June 08, 2006 16:14
by Jim
Members and supporters of the LGBT community gathered in the round room of the Mansion House, Dublin on the June bank holiday weekend for a midsummers ball. The ball was organised by Labour LGBT to raise funds for the KAL initiative which is a group set up to promote the high court case being taken by Katherine Zappone and Ann-Louise Gilligan who are taking a case to have their canadian marriage recognised in Ireland.
The Midusmmers Ball featured singing from Gloria - the internatioally aclaimed gay choir, Veda and Devina, Fallen Angels Cabaret and concluded with a DJ. There was also an awards ceremony to mark the contribution of several activists to the LGBT community.
Dr. Katherine Zappone and Dr. Ann Louise Gilligan are both women and Irish citizens. They live in Ireland . Dr. Zappone is a public policy research consultant and member of the Human Rights Commission. Dr. Gilligan is an academic and works as a lecturer at St. Patrick's College, Dublin. They have lived together as a de facto couple for 23 years, and are both salaried income earners and joint owners of a family home and one other property in Ireland.
In April, 2001 Katherine and Ann Louise decided to seek legal recognition of their life partnership. As at present, no such legal recognition existed in the country and there was little public debate about partnership rights for same-sex couples. With extensive research and legal advice they were considering taking a constitutional challenge against the Irish State.
Another route opened up when a British Columbia High Court opened the Canadian institution of marriage to same sex couples in June of 2003. On 13 th September of that year they married in a civil ceremony in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Their marriage is legally valid for all purposes in Canada.
There will be a discussion about how to advance the campaign for civil partnerships and same sex marriage taking place on Friday June 16th at 8 pm in the Teachers Club as part of the Connolly Festival. Everyone is very welcome to attend.
Comments (7 of 7)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7am... why is this on indymedia? I'm not talking about the gay marraige issue, but don't labour as a meanstream party have their own media machine. i mean,a report on a dinner at mansion house as a newswire feature, on an alternative, leftist newssite. is this not abuse of resources? I mean like.. just...
wha?
Why is this an abuse of resources? The Tara Campaign put up extensive photos of their fundraiser in Drimnagh Castle some time back. What's the difference? This is an event to raise funds for an important legal action about fundamental rights for lesbians and gay people in Ireland. The context of the event is explained.
Because Indymedia is open publishing, there are often long, rambling articles on the newswire that appear completely pointless. This isn't one of them. Go target the genuinely crappy articles.
Not everything political has to involve sitting in a stuffy room listening to speakers or marching on the same route down O Connell Street. Was up at Rossport on the weekend where there were people playing soccer, partying, watching videos, painting, swimming, eating healthy vegetarian food - all of which is documented on this site without criticism and all of which is part of wider solidarity with the community in Rossport.
Yet when it comes to gay people supporting a civil rights case all of a sudden you've a problem with it. Speaks volumes doesn't it?
Expand Ciaran-what is the political basis for your objection? Is there one?
Just my opinion, as one indy editor, this post and the associated photos are political and relevant to indymedia and are proper here.
The day after marriage for gays and lesbians is made legal, then I'd question the newsworthiness.
until then... keep posting the good stuff :-)
I'm chuffed to see the the Midsummer ball for Katherine Zappone and Ann-Louise Gilligan made it to here!
As Co-Chair of the gang that organised it and as the dreamer who came up with the idea in the first place I'd just like to say a big thank you to all who came or supported!
It was a wicked night, truly amazing and a loud, pretty, glammed and glitzed up message . .
"GAY MARRIAGE IS ON OUR AGENDA AND UNTIL WE, THE IRISH PEOPLE HAVE GAINED FULL EQUALITY, IT WILL STAY ON THE AGENDA!!"
Happy Summer!
r
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