Saturday, August 04, 2012

Kenny urged to come out on gay marriage

Enda Kenny attended the protest in the form of a cardboard cut-out — but it was still the Taoiseach’s most animated intervention in the gay marriage debate so far. 

Students demanding marriage equality staged a wedding ceremony at the gates of Government Buildings featuring straight, gay, and lesbian couples.

Would-be bride Daisy Onubogu did not let a sudden downpour ruin her big day with fellow bride Rachel Breslin. "Love is something that is universal and something that should be celebrated for all equally," said Daisy.

"There should not be barriers or second-class citizens when it comes to something as important as this," said law student Ms Onubogu at the "rainbow wedding" demonstration, organised by UCD’s student union.

Mr Kenny has repeatedly refused to give an opinion on where he stands on gay marriage, famously tripping over and almost falling into a large flower pot in a clumsy bid to avoid media questions on the subject last month.

"It is time for Enda to come out and take a stance," Ms Onubogu insisted.

Mr Kenny says it would be inappropriate for him as head of Government to disclose his opinion while a constitutional convention, made up of randomly selected citizens and parliamentarians, considers the issue. 


 However, opposition parties have branded his position a "cop-out" and the referral of the issue to the convention a deliberate move to delay a referendum on gay marriage until after the next general election, scheduled for 2016.

In contrast, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore supports gay marriage equality, branding it "the civil rights issue of this generation". 


Opinion polls show that more than 70% of the public backs a constitutional reform allowing such a change in the law.

A UCD students union survey of more than 900 people found 91% support gay marriage equality, 20% identify themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual, and 43% had questioned their sexuality at some point.

Ms Breslin, who is president of the UCDSU, said: "With 91% in support, students are united in favour of equal marriage rights for all and the hope that our friends and peers of this generation will be able to marry the person they love, regardless of sexual orientation."