tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14215370.post114416624520459325..comments2023-10-31T07:29:17.510-07:00Comments on = LNews =: Ireland Plans to Okay Civil PartnershipsLNewsEditorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15516265929045096334noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14215370.post-1144208563101918482006-04-04T20:42:00.000-07:002006-04-04T20:42:00.000-07:00As a dyke, I found it nice to find this fresh and ...As a dyke, I found it nice to find this fresh and informative site.<BR/><BR/>Thanks...The Lettershaperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14432569188617864419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14215370.post-1144166303000422742006-04-04T08:58:00.000-07:002006-04-04T08:58:00.000-07:00JIC Post:From Associated Press Ireland will legali...JIC Post:<BR/>From Associated Press<BR/><BR/> Ireland will legalize civil partnerships for gay couples, Prime Minister Bertie Ahern pledged Monday as he opened new offices for the country's main gay rights group.<BR/><BR/>Civil partnerships allow gay couples the same rights to inheritance, state benefits and other financial rights as held by married heterosexual couples.<BR/><BR/>``Sexual orientation cannot, and must not, be the basis of a second-class citizenship. Our laws have changed, and will continue to change, to reflect this principle,'' Ahern told an audience at Ireland's Gay and Lesbian Equality Network.<BR/><BR/>Ahern said it would be more difficult to legalize gay marriage in Ireland than it was in the United Kingdom, which approved the civil unions in December. Ireland's constitution has a clause requiring the predominantly Roman Catholic state to protect the institution of marriage, whereas the UK, which includes neighboring Northern Ireland, has no written constitution.<BR/><BR/>``This challenge, however, is one that the government is determined to meet. We are committed to legislating on this issue,'' said Ahern, who noted that a government-appointed group of experts would recommend several possible options in a report expected in November.<BR/><BR/>``Although there is a growing climate of equality and support for anti-discrimination action, I also recognize that members of the gay community still face isolation, abuse and victimization on the basis of their sexuality,'' Ahern said.LNewsEditorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15516265929045096334noreply@blogger.com