Sir, - I take grave exception to Vera Hughes's comments about the "travesty" of a gay wedding in Berlin.
Whatever about her Grandmother's fervent sayings, I am 100 per cent certain that, were any of my grandparents alive at the moment, all of them would be present when I marry my partner (of nearly 10 years) next year in Dⁿsseldorf. All were devout Catholics but, more importantly, they were also Christians who would have had a respect and understanding of our love for each other.
It is sad to see such attitudes being passed down from generation to generation, without any thought for the hurt and distress they may cause to others.
The only true travesty that I can see is that Irish gays and lesbians still have no opportunity to register their partnership legally in any way whatsoever. Gay couples, irrespective of how many years they have been together, remain (to put it mildly) legally disadvantaged - a status which would not be tolerated by our heterosexual counterparts. Gay partnerships which have been registered here (and in other EU member-states) will also have no legal standing in Ireland.
In conclusion, may I also give vent to an old saying: "Musha, live and let live!" - Yours, etc.,
Ken Greeley, Neuss, Germany.