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As many of you might know by now, an astounding and miraculous event has occurred in my country. It is the most important event to occur since 1937 in the 'young' history of where I live. The people of the Republic of Ireland have voted for an amendment to the constitution allowing people of the same sex to get married.
To most this might seem a relatively modern extension of what is quickly growing as a movement not just in America, but in Europe as well. However, I am so proud of this nation, once known as a stanch 'Irish Catholic' country, to show the strength to be first amongst all nations to change our constitution!
Two years ago I joined in a march through the streets of Dublin to protest the fact that a union between two people of the same sex was illegal though homosexuality was no longer a crime. I went with much fear and trepidation. My 'husband' and several of our kinsmen joined me more out of fear for my safety than exuberance for the cause. The march was not only peaceful but many who were simply bystanders joined the ranks.
Whilst many still believe in the basic tenets of the teachings of Christ (I happen to be a pagan) this change also represents a mass revolt against a Church that has served our people most poorly in so many ways. The Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin went so far as to admit that the Church needed to become more in touch with those it's supposed to serve. This will be difficult, if not impossible, to accomplish because the Church is not God's Church, it's the Church of men.
Ironically, Northern Ireland, specifically Belfast and the Protestant areas in general, have been far more tolerant of gay couples AND trans people. This is more of a protest against the traditionally Irish Catholic population than any affinity towards equality of people in all matters.
Please forgive me if I rant but I, and many others, have been (soberly) celebrating this amazing event. I can only hope that other countries follow our example of letting the people decide. It seems as though America will get there but on a state by state basis.
May We All Know Peace and Equality...
Kelly
Comments
And the USA waits
We are waiting to see what the courts are going to do your brave country gives us hope . We do have so states that have marriage equality but then other state don't recognize those unions HUH . The religious right is against anything that gives LGBT any rights at all they view them as second class or the devil or who knows what , they preach the bible and have no tolerance for the LGBT .
Not being homosexual in any way
I have no understanding of same sex marriage, at all. Still many of our religious institutions have proven themselves to be a joke, not helpful at all. I wish those who do it the best.
Yeesss... It is a poor substitute...
...to being recognized and married as your true gender.
On the other hand, it allows marriage rights to TG folks who had not yet became recognised as their true gender even so no one of the law authors never sought of this angle.
In Russia we still have opposite kind of problem. Oversimplifying it is: to get a passport with "female" in gender field you just need to go to the nearest pasport-issuing police office in drag. To get "male" you go there in drab. Yes, there are some formalities and you need to persuade some police official that you are serious. But despite best US efforts, it is still this simple.
So, after getting passport with proper letter in gender field, there is no problem to officially and legally marry anyone with different letter in gender field. But there is no way yet to marry someone with the same letter in gender field on your passport. (and as I already mentioned in some comment, in Russia you need Birth Certificate twice in the lifetime - first your parents need it go get stamp with child listed in their passport, and second time is when you are applying for your first passport at 14 years of age. Last time I've seen my birth certificate was some 30 years ago... I think it is still kept with other old documents at my parents home... Hopefully ;-) )
Sure
I am sure the homosexual crowd would gladly return the compliment.
Personally I do not like a masculine partner, be it female or male bodied, it just does not work with me. Yes there are some attractive men, when young, but the idea of living with them middle age on ....
Anyway, as far as 'holy matrimony' goes, I would think the atheist crowd has an ax to grind when the religious institutions want to seize marriage as being only through them.
Just a hint: No it is not. As far as I am concerned, marriage is just a money maker for churches and the like. Firstly they get money for doing said service and secondly they try to entice you to join said church, if you are not already a member, by enticing you to stay after the wedding. Thus you and your money can make its presence known on a regular basis, a constant income stream.
It is still our fight
Since in the eyes of many you are still a man. Texas in particular has a problem understanding that we are women, and has had some bad judgements in courts reflecting this. I doubt they will stand long term, but the poor people in the middle are still stuck.
Homosexuality...
Dear Gwen,
I also have no understanding of same sex marriages. But...then again...at this point in my life, I have no understanding of 'legal' marriages. I feel that any oath and vow made between two people should suffice. God, with Her infinite insight and wisdom, will recognize the truth of the matter. ;)
Peace Only...
Kelly
Beware The Backlash
From The Guardian:
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s number two, says Ireland’s vote was “a defeat for humanity”, adding that he was “deeply saddened” by it, and that the answer for the church is to “strengthen its commitment to evangelisation”.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin said “I appreciate how gay and lesbian men and women feel on this day. That they feel this is something that is enriching the way they live. I think it is a social revolution...I ask myself, most of these young people who voted yes are products of our Catholic school system for 12 years. I’m saying there’s a big challenge there to see how we get across the message of the church.”
These are sinister utterances. The latter is dressed in a cloak of benevolent paternalism, but it leaves little room for misinterpretation. The Church has declared its intentions. It will redouble its efforts to indoctrinate the young.
Well done Ireland - but be on your guard. This isn't over.
Hmmm...
Dear Nicki,
Whilst what you write is, to some extent, true, the Church faces much larger problems than merely getting their message across. More than two centuries of misdeeds that can only be classified as horrors must be answered for before the Church can even consider a 'new message'. In a poll run several years ago by one of the most popular daily newspapers, the clergy was rated as most mistrusted people even topping politicians (no mean feat).
I believe Karl Marx called religion 'the opiate of the people'. At one time that is all the people had. But after more than two decades of economic success, staunch faith in Irish Catholicism has been greatly tempered by a new opiate; a much higher standard of living. With the coming of new ideas and new ways of doing things, the old ways of the Church are, for practical purposes, dying.
Issues much more common than those of the LGBT community have played a major part in the Church's undoing. Such issues as divorce, abortion, couples conceiving out of wedlock and simply living together have been brushed aside by the clergy. As a result, the Church has lost so much credibility for its lack of inclusiveness (the true meaning of catholic is all inclusive). In my adopted family almost every child is educated in the Catholic school system. This is done not for religious reasons. This is done so that the young might be educated in 'Irish', a modern form of Gaelige. Almost all are in fact pagans; myself included.
Whilst many still believe in the basic tenets of Christ's teachings, the Cannon (Church law) is, for the most part, ignored. There is little that the Church can do to regain the lost ground. There is little the Pope can do as long as he and his clergy consider the norms of modern life in an advanced country to be mortal sins. And there is little they can do to reverse the horrors perpetrated against the poor and the innocent that are still coming to light. I believe that the only way my country is headed is forward and our true God, in HER infinite wisdom, will be behind us pushing! ;)
May You Always Have Strength...
Kelly