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IRELAND: Obama's Limo Gets Stuck

Whoopsie.

IRELAND: Marriage Campaign Launches

The Irish LGBT rights group Noise has launched a new marriage campaign with ads appearing on Dublin's public transit.

A controversial poster claiming “Jesus had two Dads” will appear on Dublin transport today to highlight the continuing campaign for gay marriage. The gay rights group Noise, a group campaigning for marriage equality for same-sex couples, is launching the new poster campaign on Dublin city public transport this Monday. The posters highlight the difference between Civil Partnership and Civil Marriage, pointing out that Civil Partnership, which was recently legalized in Ireland is not equality. The group also unveiled its new-look website to coincide with the launch.

Ireland's civil partnerships law went into effect earlier this month.

Irish Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore Rips NYC's St. Patrick's Day Parade

"What these parades are about is a celebration of Ireland and Irishness. I think they need to celebrate Ireland as it is, not as people imagine it. Equality is very much the center of who we are in our identity in Ireland. This issue of exclusion is not Irish, let's be clear about it. Exclusion is not an Irish thing, I think that's the message that needs to be driven home." - Irish Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore, speaking in NYC to Irish-American LGBT activists.

NYC's parade, the world's largest, is run by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, who in 1995 won a Supreme Court battle to exclude gay groups from participating.

Eurovision 2011: Ireland's Jedward

Hair inspired by the late John Sex? They're identical twins.

SMOKING GUN: Vatican Warned Irish Bishops Not To Report Pedophile Priests

In a just-revealed 1997 letter, a Vatican representative for the soon to be sainted Pope John Paul II warned Ireland's bishops not to report pedophile priests to the police.

The letter, obtained by Irish broadcasters RTE and provided to The Associated Press, documents the Vatican's rejection of a 1996 Irish church initiative to begin helping police identify pedophile priests following Ireland's first wave of publicly disclosed lawsuits. The letter undermines persistent Vatican claims, particularly when seeking to defend itself in U.S. lawsuits, that the church in Rome never instructed local bishops to withhold evidence or suspicion of crimes from police. It instead emphasizes the church's right to handle all child-abuse allegations, and determine punishments, in house rather than hand that power to civil authorities. Signed by the late Archbishop Luciano Storero, Pope John Paul II's diplomat to Ireland, the letter instructs Irish bishops that their new policy of making the reporting of suspected crimes mandatory "gives rise to serious reservations of both a moral and canonical nature."

The Vatican is refusing to comment on the letter.

IRELAND: Atheist Group Launches "No Religion" Census Campaign

Ireland's leading atheist group is asking former Catholics to be truthful on the upcoming census form. The "Be Honest To Godless" campaign is being supported on Facebook.

Think before you tick your answer to the religion question, and give an answer that matches your actual religious affiliation. If you still believe in God but you are no longer truly a Roman Catholic, please say so. If you are an atheist or agnostic or humanist and you have no religion, please tick the ‘No Religion’ box. Atheist Ireland wants to see accurate answers to the question on religion. The last Census showed 3.7 million Roman Catholics (that’s about 87% of the population) and 186,000 people with no religion (that’s about 4% of the population). We believe the true figure for Roman Catholics is much lower than 87%, and the true figure for people with no religion is much higher than 4%.

Atheist Ireland notes: "Careless answers to the question of religion will have an impact on the allocation of State resources, and on the political lobbying power of the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland. If you want a fair future based on accurate statistics, please answer this question honestly."

Ireland Recognizes Gay Marriages

Beginning today Ireland will recognize same-sex marriages and civil unions performed abroad. However those married in other countries will have their relationships "downgraded" to civil partnerships upon arrival in Ireland.

Unions from 27 countries or states will be recognised; 17 of which currently give gay couples the right to marry. Couples will be automatically considered as civil partners and will not need to register. Brian Sheehan of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network said: “Same-sex couples who have already celebrated their relationships and made formal commitments to each other by having a civil marriage or civil partnership in another country will today have those relationships recognised in Ireland. This recognition will provide significant protections for these couples.”

Ireland begins performing its own civil partnerships in April.

IRELAND: Openly Gay Sen. David Norris Leads Polling For Next President

Ireland's openly gay Sen. David Norris is leading the polls to succeed Mary McAleese as that nation's next president.

The Independent Senator received the backing of 27% of those surveyed by Red C in a poll for Paddy Power bookmakers. The poll found Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness in second place, with 13% support, although this is due to the Fianna Fáil and Labour votes each being split by the inclusion of two candidates each. Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern receives the backing of 12% of those surveyed, while his party colleague MEP Brian Crowley gets 10%.

The election is in October. Ireland's presidency is largely ceremonial.

(Tipped by JMG reader Vivian.)

IRELAND: Immigration Rights Granted To Gay Couples In Civil Partnerships

Gay couples in civil partnerships have been included in Ireland's immigration reform bill.

According to gay group GLEN, inclusion of civil partners in immigration law will build on progress already made in providing recognition for same-sex couples in immigration regulations. In provisions for people in de facto relationships, non EU same-sex partners of Irish or EU nationals are now entitled to apply for permission to remain in the state on the basis of their relationship. GLEN director of policy change Eoin Collins said: “This is a very important advance and will help deliver greater security for same-sex couples worried about separation due to immigration difficulties.”

Ireland's civil partnerships law goes into effect on January 1st. Binational gay couples in the United States remain screwed.

Will Ireland Elect A Gay President?

Openly gay Sen. David Norris decided to run for president of Ireland after supporters launched a Facebook campaign urging him to enter the race. And now polls show him far ahead.

Although, like the British monarchy's, the Irish president's power is more symbolic than real, elections to the post have previously been used to protest against the Republic's political establishment. Norris is non-aligned, and is hoping to tap into the widespread discontent over the profligacy of the Celtic tiger years and the way the state's main party, Fianna Fáil, handled the economy. Norris denies his sexuality will be an issue even in more conservative rural parts of Ireland. "It's a non-issue," he says. "It's a non-issue with the people of Ireland. Some may have some concerns, and I hope I am able to address them. I have just had a major radio interview in Dublin and the interviewer asked me about it, and people came on the programme to say 'Will you get out of that? What does it matter! We want someone with vision ... someone who is independent.'

Norris says he has lived a "decent and respectable life" and that those seeking to embarrass him for his sexuality "will find no scandal."

No Gays? No Way! Ireland's President Turns Down NYC's St. Patrick's Day Parade

Irish President Mary McAleese has turned down an offer to be the grand marshal of NYC's 250th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade over the event's long-running ban on LGBT participation.

Efforts at a compromise where President McAleese could attend the gay-organized, all-inclusive St. Patrick’s parade in Queens on the weekend before March 17, and then march in the actual Fifth Avenue parade the Thursday following, also failed because the president could not remain in New York for such a long period of time. Marching in the Queens parade as well as the Fifth Avenue one also has been the way most major U.S. politicians, such as New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, have handled the issue in recent years. McAleese’s refusal to accept the grand marshal invite will come as major blow to parade officials who were intent on making the day an historic showcase. New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York is now being considered a likely replacement. Despite a reputation as a conservative Catholic when she took office, McAleese has become a firm advocate for marginalized groups in Irish societies including gay groups.

Thank you, President McAleese!

Two-Thirds Of Irish Support Gay Marriage

Two-thirds of those polled by the Irish Times say they support full marriage equality.

JUST OVER two-thirds of people (67 per cent) believe gay couples should be allowed to marry, according to an Irish Times /Behaviour Attitudes social poll. It is one of a series of findings in a poll on “sex, sin and society” that indicates Irish people have adopted a more liberal attitude towards personal relationships and sexual behaviour. In addition showing strong support for gay marriage, a significant majority (60 per cent) also believe civil partnerships for gay couples will not undermine the institution of marriage. A large majority (91 per cent) also say they would not think less of a person if they revealed they were gay or lesbian. These numbers are consistently high across most age groups, as well as in urban and rural areas. People are divided, however, on whether gay couples should be allowed to adopt children. Some 46 per cent support such a move, while more than a third (38 per cent) are opposed. Younger people, urban dwellers and women are more likely to be supportive of the idea.

Ireland legalized civil partnerships in July. The act takes effect next year.

IRELAND: President Signs Civil Unions Bill Into National Law

Today President Mary McAleese signed Ireland's civil partnerships bill into national law.

It extends marriage-like benefits to gay and lesbian couples in the areas of property, social welfare, succession, maintenance, pensions and tax. The act also offers additional rights and protections for other cohabiting couples including a redress scheme for financially dependent long-term cohabitants on the end of a relationship. Announcing the signing of the Bill today, Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern described it as "one of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation to be enacted since independence." "This Act provides enhanced rights and protections for many thousands of Irish men and women. Ireland will be a better place for its enactment," he said. "It is of tremendous social significance, for the couples who can now register as partners, for their friends and families - ultimately, for all of us," Mr Ahern added.

Earlier this month the bill passed nearly unanimously in both of Ireland's legislative chambers. The first civil partnerships will take place early in 2011.

Civil Unions For Ireland

As expected, yesterday Ireland's Seanad rubber-stamped the nation's lower chamber and approved its civil unions bill 48-4.

The Green Party Minister for State Ciarán Cuffe, who instigated the move to introduce the legislation in 2007, welcomed its approval last night. He said changes will need to be made in social welfare and tax laws to facilitate the change. He said those changes would most likely be made in December’s Budget. “I would be happy if it was in place from January 1 next year. Without giving too many hostages to fortune, I am optimistic that the first civil registrations can take place from then,” he said.

The Bill will extend marriage-like benefits to gay and lesbian couples in the areas of property, social welfare, succession, maintenance, pensions and tax. Same-sex couples register their relationship before a registrar. The legislation also provides for the legal recognition of civil partnerships obtained outside the State. At present, cohabiting couples have few rights under family laws. Among the objections voiced by Senators was the absence of a conscience clause for public servants to allow them opt out of the process. They also argued against the right to hire Church premises for celebrations of same-sex unions. Richard Greene of conservative group Cóir was one of a small group who protested outside Leinster House. He said a referendum should have been held on the issue.

The first civil unions will occur after January 1st.

Won't Someone Think Of The Children?

JMG reader Colin sends us this amusing clip of sad protesters outside of Ireland's Dáil yesterday as the legislative body voted to approve civil partnerships. What's the music? So familiar....

Civil Unions Pass In Ireland's Dáil

Ireland's lower legislative chamber, the Dáil, has just passed a civil partnerships bill.

The Dáil has passed without a vote, all stages of the Civil Partnership Bill, giving new legal rights to non-marital couples. Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said 'it was one of the most important human rights pieces of legislation the House had dealt with.' Minister Ahern continued 'to take account of this Bill, the Government would change the tax and social welfare laws.' Labour's Brendan Howlin, said the bill gives real, practical benefits to thousands of people and brings the country further along the road to equality. Environment Minister John Gormley thanked the Justice Minister for his work on this bill, which was part of the Programme for Government. Minister Gormley said the bill was an act of tolerance, and a step forward.

The bill now moves to Ireland's version of the Senate.

Queen Elizabeth To Become First British Monarch To Visit Ireland In 90 Years

Queen Elizabeth II will visit Ireland next year, making her the first British monarch to step foot on the island since it became independent in 1921.

Confirmation that the event, long discussed between London and Dublin, will take place next year has come from Ireland’s prime minister, Brian Cowen. It is time for “normal courtesies” to be observed between friendly states, explained Cowen, after discussions with his British counterpart David Cameron in London on June 23. Queen Elizabeth’s visit will mark a normalization of relations between the two countries after a century of strife and discord. The last British monarch to come to this part of the Emerald Isle was King George V, who arrived as part of his coronation celebrations in 1911. A decade later the War of Independence forced the departure of British Crown forces. The bitterness of that conflict, plus the forced partition of the island, Ireland’s neutrality during World War II and the use of the British army in the Troubles in Northern Ireland, strained relations for most of the 20th century.

Sinn Fein plans to protest the visit over Britain's continued "occupation" of Northern Ireland.

IRELAND: National Poster Campaign For Marriage Equality Launches

A national poster campaign has been launched in Ireland to promote marriage equality. The posters can be seen on buses in Dublin and have been sent to libraries and community centers nationwide. Ireland does not recognize same-sex unions, but a pending civil partnerships bill would provide some, but not all of the rights of marriage.

Orla Howard, Board Member, Marriage Equality commented, "Equal marriage rights for same-sex couples will lead to the recognition and protection of lesbian and gay families. The Government's Civil Partnership Bill on the other hand, continues to deny the existence of same-sex families and ignores their children entirely. This leaves these families legally vulnerable in matters such as inheritance, access, maintenance and so on. The simple solution is for the Irish Government to make this issue a priority for their Programme for Government." Ms Howard added, "The Government will be encouraged to make this a matter of priority if members of the public contact their locally elected representative and raise the issue with them. All families deserve equality and We Are Family carries this important message and call to action to the Irish public."

Ireland's Civil Partnership Bill is presently slated to be enacted in October.

(Tipped by JMG reader Gerald)

Eurovision: Ireland's Niamh Kavanagh

I prefer the over-the-top cheesy glitz of most Eurovision entries, but as power ballads go, this one is pretty good. (Despite a tiny hint of Titanic-ness.)