Referendum is positive for society

Dear Editor, As a married man, father of two small children, and a minister in the Catholic Church, I will be voting Yes on May 22. At the heart of the debate for me is whether a same-sex relationship can be placed on a par with a heterosexual one. For me, as for many people, it can.

Ultimately, though, it is the quality of a relationship which counts. I also believe a gay or lesbian couple could, and do currently, make excellent parents. There are ethical issues around surrogacy but these apply to all infertile couples. No one questions the bona fides of the marriage of a couple who prove to be infertile or a couple who are too old to have children when they marry.

I also believe the complementarity argument is overstated as male and female roles in parenting harmonise a lot. I change nappies, push prams and spend long hours nurturing children. Previous generations of men did not, and could not. Overall I am convinced that
this measure, if passed, will be a very healthy, positive move for society.

Yours etc.,

Cathal O’ Sullivan,

Artane,

Dublin 5.