Sir, – The campaign for marriage equality is about fairness. We are concerned with civil marriage equality for gay and lesbian people in Ireland, nothing more, nothing less.
Providing civil marriage equality is about access to civil marriage, ie getting married in a registry office. It is not about getting married in a church.
Some opponents of civil marriage equality suggest that churches will be forced to marry same-sex couples, contrary to the right of freedom of religion. This is simply not the case. Indeed, the free profession and practice of religion is afforded very strong protection under Article 44 of the Constitution.
People can be religious and support equality. Indeed, at its progressive best, religion can be a huge force for good in our world. Under the guise of religious freedom, however, religion can, and has been, used to justify discrimination against minorities. Right now, across many jurisdictions, and based on religious objections, individuals and institutions claim a right to discriminate, by refusing to provide services to LGBT people, for example. Although the situations may differ, one thing is certain – religion is being used as an excuse to discriminate against and harm others.
In Ireland, we are entitled to hold religious beliefs, if we so wish, but our equality legislation makes clear that we are not entitled to impose them on others.
The campaign for marriage equality seeks parity of esteem for gay and lesbian people in Ireland. More generally, it is about removing unfair treatment and discriminatory practices against other people – our sisters, our brothers, our friends, our neighbours, our colleagues and so forth. Quite simply, civil marriage equality is not a political issue or a religious issue. It is about how we treat each other as human beings. – Yours, etc,
PADDY ANDERSON,
Dr COLETTE FINN,
Mayfield,
Cork.