*****For Immediate Release*****

NO CIVIL PARTNERSHIP CRUMBS - NOISE PROTESTERS DEMAND THE WEDDING CAKE

Noise condemns the limitations of the Civil Partnership Bill and demands Civil Marriage

Where: Dáil Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare St., Dublin 2

When: Thurs. 3rd December, 6pm

Photocall at Dáil Eireann, Kildare Street at 12.30pm

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Noise supporters will join together on Thursday, 3rd December, for a ‘flash demo’ in front of the Dáil to protest the ‘crumbs’ of the Civil Partnership Bill and to demand the full ‘wedding cake’ - Civil Marriage - for same-sex couples. Protesters will wear masks of the Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, and Minister for Justice, Dermot Ahern as they proceed to pull limited rights out of a Civil Partnership ‘lucky bag’, to demonstrate the gross limitations of what this bill offers to LGBT people and their families.

Noise believes that equality is not a half measure: either our relationships are equal to heterosexual relationships or they are not. Noise Organiser, Liam Connolly says: ‘If this Civil Partnership Bill becomes law it will force gay couples to participate in their own discrimination and the children of same-sex couples will remain vulnerable. The gay community should not be punished for their sexual orientation by being offered this second-class bill, nor should their children be punished by the lack of protection offered within it.’

Connolly also criticised the Catholic Church and right-wing groups such as The Iona Institute for their campaign against even basic forms of legal recognition for same-sex couples: “Civil Partnership creates a second-class citizenship for same-sex couples, yet even this is too much for vocal, hardline right-wing groups and their allies in the Oireachtas. In 2009, it is no longer acceptable that prejudiced views against LGBT people and their children be allowed to form the basis for public policy.”

TD’s and Senators will be invited to mingle with the protestors to hear their views; speaking at the event will be Noise Organiser Dr. Mark McCarron.

We are no longer the silent minority: we are the ever increasing vocal majority. Noise calls on the Government to heed the dissatisfaction of LGBT people and, now, the wider community, with the half-measures inherent in this bill. There is only one way to bring full equality to the LGBT community: lift the ban on Civil Marriage for same-sex couples today.

****Ends****
Notes to editors

The Civil Partnership Bill
The Government is debating the Civil Partnership Bill in the Dáil on Thursday 3 December. The proposed Bill will offer a number of legal rights, but will not carry all the same rights and protections as civil marriage, and civil partners will not be protected by the Constitution. Neither will it recognise same-sex families - a registered civil partner will be unable to adopt their partner’s child and there will be no recognition of de facto families. This means that the children they raise will have no legal rights with respect to one of their parents. Tax and social welfare provisions will be dealt with in separate legislation, and there is no guarantee that these will be the same as for married couples.

LGBT
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people.

About Noise
Noise was founded on the 18th November 2007 to campaign for the lifting of the ban on Civil Marriage between same-sex couples in Ireland. It is an independent, non-politically affiliated organisation and seeks to reach out to all people, gay or straight, who believe in equality and human rights for all (see www.lgbtnoise.ie for more).