Thursday, May 24, 2012

Choirs in tune for marriage equality fundraiser

http://www.gloria.ie/wp-content/gallery/home/7xmas2010_5.jpgTwo of Ireland’s best-known gay choirs are to sing off the same hymn sheet to help stave off a funding crisis facing the national civil marriage equality campaign.

Dublin’s lesbian and gay choir Glória will perform with Cork’s new LGBT choir Choral ConFusion for the True Colours concert in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork next month.

The event is organised by the Cork Action for Equality group on behalf of the Marriage Equality advocacy campaign, which is facing a funding crisis.

Marriage Equality, which has been working since 2008 to achieve civil marriage rights for same-sex couples, has been primarily funded by US billionaire Chuck Feeney’s Atlantic Philanthropies.

However, Feeney’s operation is winding down and the LGBT sector is one of the first to lose funding.

Moninne Griffith, Marriage Equality director, said Atlantic Philanthropies had been amazing partners, offering funding, advice, and training over the past few years.

"Unfortunately, that support is coming to an end. It’s a real pity that it’s happening so close to the end of our campaign," she said.

"We have almost got this over the line. That’s why it’s so important that we can raise enough money to continue our advocacy and lobbying. We reckon it could take another three years."

Although civil partnership does offer some rights and protections, it does not extend all the same rights to same sex couples as marriage would, including rights in relation to children, Ms Griffith said.

Marriage Equality research indicates there are about 160 areas of difference that need to be tackled.

Ms Griffith said she is hopeful the issues will be addressed as part of the upcoming constitutional convention, due to take place later this year.

The convention could result in a recommendation to legislate, or suggest the holding of a referendum.

Glória was founded in Oct 1995 after an ad was placed in Gay Community News about forming a new choir.

Today, the choir boasts 50 members whose repertoire ranges from musicals to madrigals and from classical to camp. It has also released an album.

True Colours takes place on June 9 at 8pm.

Tickets, priced €15 and €10, are on sale from www.gloria.ie, from The Other Place, 8 South Main St, Cork, or on the door on the night.