new short film highlights one of the many differences between civil partnership and civil marriage
09/09/2011
Submitted by
Marriage Equality
Marriage ban for same sex couples discriminates against Irish families and children
New short film depicts the real consequences of Civil Partnership inequalities for children of same-sex couples
Children with lesbian and gay parents face real discrimination because of the lack of equality for same sex families in Ireland under the Civil Partnership Act - that is the message of a new short film launched today by Marriage Equality. The campaign highlights some of the key differences between Civil Partnership and civil marriage, and seeks to raise awareness of Marriage Equality’s mission to end the marriage ban for same sex couples and the consequent discrimination faced by families and children.
Civil partnership legislation still leaves same sex families and their children with fewer rights than married heterosexual families. Research currently being carried out by Marriage Equality has identified over 140 differences between civil partnership and civil marriage so far.
The new short film, called “Rory’s Story”, gives us a glimpse at the life of a boy who has two mums. Although he sees both of them as his parents and his family, the law does not –with heart-breaking consequences.
“We made this film to raise awareness about the continued discrimination faced by lesbian and gay couples and their children despite recent civil partnership legislation,” Marriage Equality Director Moninne Griffith said. “We want people to know that although Civil Partnership is a step in the right direction, it is not marriage and it’s not equality. For example, civil partnership does not allow children to have a legally recognised relationship with both of their parents - only the biological one. This causes all sorts of problems with schools and hospitals as well as around guardianship, access and custody.”
Conor, a supporter of Marriage Equality who also grew up with two mums, echoed the message of the film, saying: “It scares me to know that when me and my brother were children, if anything had happened to our birth mum, there was a risk that we could have been taken from our other mum, because she is not recognised as our legal parent. That’s why campaigns like marriage equality are so important.”
“We need the Government to legislate for equality for same sex families and access to marriage would give these rights and security to hundreds of families around Ireland,” Ms Griffith added. “We are asking people to watch the film online and then get involved with the campaign.”
The film will be featured on Marriage Equality’s website, YouTube channel and Facebook pages.
To watch the film or to find out more about the campaign please visit www.marriagequality.ie.
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Moninne Griffith
Director – Marriage Equality
Tel: 01 873 4183 / 087-9321329
Email: moninne@marriagequality.ie
About Marriage Equality:
Marriage Equality is a national not for profit organisation working for equality for same sex couples, families and their children through access to civil marriage. Marriage Equality was launched in February 2008. It grew from the KAL Advocacy Initiative: a group set up to support the case to recognise the Canadian marriage of two Irish citizens - Drs Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan.
With over 3,000 supporters throughout Ireland, the organisation has had significant impact on public and political opinion in relation to the issue, through a combination of media and communications, research and policy, advocacy and lobbying work. Public support for marriage equality has grown from 56% in 2008 to 73% in 2011.
For more information please visit our website www.marriagequality.ie
Notes to the editor:
Rory’s Story is available to watch here:
http://www.marriagequality.ie/getinvolved/rory.html
The Ombudsman for Children’s Annual Report 2010 can be downloaded here:
http://www.oco.ie/assets/files/annual-report/Annual-Report2010.pdf
Marriage Equality’s Voices of Children Report can be downloaded here:
http://www.marriagequality.ie/download/pdf/voc_report_final_sept_10.pdf
New short film depicts the real consequences of Civil Partnership inequalities for children of same-sex couples
Children with lesbian and gay parents face real discrimination because of the lack of equality for same sex families in Ireland under the Civil Partnership Act - that is the message of a new short film launched today by Marriage Equality. The campaign highlights some of the key differences between Civil Partnership and civil marriage, and seeks to raise awareness of Marriage Equality’s mission to end the marriage ban for same sex couples and the consequent discrimination faced by families and children.
Civil partnership legislation still leaves same sex families and their children with fewer rights than married heterosexual families. Research currently being carried out by Marriage Equality has identified over 140 differences between civil partnership and civil marriage so far.
The new short film, called “Rory’s Story”, gives us a glimpse at the life of a boy who has two mums. Although he sees both of them as his parents and his family, the law does not –with heart-breaking consequences.
“We made this film to raise awareness about the continued discrimination faced by lesbian and gay couples and their children despite recent civil partnership legislation,” Marriage Equality Director Moninne Griffith said. “We want people to know that although Civil Partnership is a step in the right direction, it is not marriage and it’s not equality. For example, civil partnership does not allow children to have a legally recognised relationship with both of their parents - only the biological one. This causes all sorts of problems with schools and hospitals as well as around guardianship, access and custody.”
Conor, a supporter of Marriage Equality who also grew up with two mums, echoed the message of the film, saying: “It scares me to know that when me and my brother were children, if anything had happened to our birth mum, there was a risk that we could have been taken from our other mum, because she is not recognised as our legal parent. That’s why campaigns like marriage equality are so important.”
“We need the Government to legislate for equality for same sex families and access to marriage would give these rights and security to hundreds of families around Ireland,” Ms Griffith added. “We are asking people to watch the film online and then get involved with the campaign.”
The film will be featured on Marriage Equality’s website, YouTube channel and Facebook pages.
To watch the film or to find out more about the campaign please visit www.marriagequality.ie.
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Moninne Griffith
Director – Marriage Equality
Tel: 01 873 4183 / 087-9321329
Email: moninne@marriagequality.ie
About Marriage Equality:
Marriage Equality is a national not for profit organisation working for equality for same sex couples, families and their children through access to civil marriage. Marriage Equality was launched in February 2008. It grew from the KAL Advocacy Initiative: a group set up to support the case to recognise the Canadian marriage of two Irish citizens - Drs Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan.
With over 3,000 supporters throughout Ireland, the organisation has had significant impact on public and political opinion in relation to the issue, through a combination of media and communications, research and policy, advocacy and lobbying work. Public support for marriage equality has grown from 56% in 2008 to 73% in 2011.
For more information please visit our website www.marriagequality.ie
Notes to the editor:
Rory’s Story is available to watch here:
http://www.marriagequality.ie/getinvolved/rory.html
The Ombudsman for Children’s Annual Report 2010 can be downloaded here:
http://www.oco.ie/assets/files/annual-report/Annual-Report2010.pdf
Marriage Equality’s Voices of Children Report can be downloaded here:
http://www.marriagequality.ie/download/pdf/voc_report_final_sept_10.pdf
