Courtney McGrailDear Editor, I am reluctantly voting no in the upcoming same-sex marriage referendum as I have concerns regarding the potential consequences if passed, but I do support equality rights for gay and lesbian couples. Prior to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1993, there was little tolerance for the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
Ironically the referendum if passed has the potential to create an environment where there may be limited tolerance for those who continue to argue that marriage should only be between a man and a woman and for parents too, who while respecting same-sex unions, still have a preference in sexuality education classes for the concept of the ‘traditional marriage’ to be taught to their children.
I don’t accept that the same-sex marriage referendum is about human rights, or even necessarily equality, but rather it is seeking a social change via an amendment to our Constitution that all committed relationships regardless of gender should be recognised as the same. The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that a state is not compelled to legislate for same-sex marriage if the state has legislated for civil partnership rights. The equality argument is surely based on the fact that other countries in Europe have legislated for same-sex marriage rather than there is an inequality issue currently, as marriage is defined at present as between a husband and wife. It is a shame a choice of words regarding the option of different types of marriage could not have been found that would have respected all relationships while acknowledging difference.
Yours etc.,
Frank Browne,
Templeogue,
Dublin 16.